1 Topic by NPB_EST.1979 (edited by NPB_EST.1979 2012-04-20 07:47:19)

  • From: Detroit
  • Registered: 2006-06-02
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Topic: 1965 Trini Lopez Gibson

If you have three Les Pauls, would you sell one to buy a 1965 Trini Lopez?
http://www.vintageguitarboutique.com/wp … 78x648.jpg

I've been hunting for a good price on one for years. They are sort of like a ES335, but with some cooler visual appointments.

I found one for half of what they go for on eBay. and  The one I found is so cheap because it a) had a neck repair b) had the neck pickup replaced and c) no original case using an acoustic case for it and possible d) might not be the original bridge.

I'm going to go play it 3 hours away on Sunday. If I buy it, I'll probably need to sell my 1978 Les Paul Custom sunburst.

From what I gather, Trini's are very rare. And since I have two lesters - I shouldn't mind letting one go! lol

- Nic from Detroit... posting on JB's Forum since 6-2-2006
Ask me about my handwound Great Lakes Guitar Pickups
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2 Reply by macg1 (edited by macg1 2012-04-20 12:44:41)

  • macg1
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  • From: St. Petersburg, FL
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Re: 1965 Trini Lopez Gibson

Depends on what the 3 LP's are.  You are doing the right thing by going and playing it.  I would try taking your rig with you.  Guitars to me are an utilitarian tool, and I have gotten "screwed" in trades, but did so fully aware of the financial repercussions.  Not being a collector, these minor losses never bothered me as I got better tools for expression.  If you fall in love with the guitar, and you are already considering letting go of 3 LP's, that may say something right there.

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  • From: Edwardsville, IL
  • Registered: 2010-05-17
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Re: 1965 Trini Lopez Gibson

I say play it. If you like it better than the Les Paul you are thinking of selling for it, then go for it.

my guitar playing. http://www.youtube.com/user/09ncowan?feature=mhee
  • From: London town
  • Registered: 2011-10-15
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Re: 1965 Trini Lopez Gibson

If you play it and it's as good or better than you were hoping I'd go straight for it, they're not the easiest of guitars to find at decent prices.

I'm guessing it's being bought to play, if was to invest I'd think again but to play could be a great guitar and worth letting an LP go.

  • From: Detroit
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Re: 1965 Trini Lopez Gibson

bought it! pics soon.... cool

- Nic from Detroit... posting on JB's Forum since 6-2-2006
Ask me about my handwound Great Lakes Guitar Pickups
Since 2010, Bonamassa fans have taken advantage of my JB friend discount = my cost + shipping. cool
  • RickB
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Re: 1965 Trini Lopez Gibson

NPB_EST.1979 wrote:

bought it! pics soon.... cool

Is it the regular or the custom? Joe played his rare Trini custom at the BP and that is a fine sounding guitar!

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  • Registered: 2008-06-16
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Re: 1965 Trini Lopez Gibson

is this the guitar, also on the Beacon DVD with Beth?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-wrHKgBbwVQ

As corn through a goose, so are the days of our lives
  • From: Detroit
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Re: 1965 Trini Lopez Gibson

ahsmith33 wrote:

is this the guitar, also on the Beacon DVD with Beth?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-wrHKgBbwVQ

No, that is not it. I looks just like this:
http://www.vintageguitarboutique.com/wp … 78x648.jpg

- Nic from Detroit... posting on JB's Forum since 6-2-2006
Ask me about my handwound Great Lakes Guitar Pickups
Since 2010, Bonamassa fans have taken advantage of my JB friend discount = my cost + shipping. cool
  • Registered: 2008-06-16
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Re: 1965 Trini Lopez Gibson

very nice NPB, especially like the inlays and diamond f's. The bottom of the body looks a little wider/larger than a standard 335.

As corn through a goose, so are the days of our lives
  • Registered: 2012-04-24
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Re: 1965 Trini Lopez Gibson

So what's the tone report

  • RickB
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Re: 1965 Trini Lopez Gibson

FYI, here is Joe's custom shop Trini Lopez in the middle, which are different from the regular ones. I recall he said it was a very early one.  From the September '11 Baked Potato gig. https://plus.google.com/photos/11204722 … 9104049490
Rick

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Re: 1965 Trini Lopez Gibson

Hot damn that's a sexy guitar! Im big time jealous NPB!

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  • RickB
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Re: 1965 Trini Lopez Gibson

Very nice Nic. You going to bring it down to the Iowa gig with the Goldie?

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  • From: Detroit
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Re: 1965 Trini Lopez Gibson

Probably won't bring it to Iowa. Goldie deserves his day in the sun cool

Tone report?
It sounds amazing clean. Through the blues jr., it's immaculate. I did change the EQ on the Blues Jr to be a little more flat (6,6,6) where on a LesPaul i'd have B3, M,8, T10 ... nice and bright so I can roll off on my tone controls. I wanted a little more flat EQ testing the Trini so the guitar's characteristics could come out better.

The bridge pickup is stock, the first patent (incorrect?) numbers on the back (post-PAF generation.) It sounds good and honkey if you want... The neck pickup is a Gibson pickup... not sure if it's a 490R or a '57 Classic, but it does a great job. Middle position is like butter, and neck pickup is nice and warm.

The ABR-1 bridge has nylon saddles... which I think is really cool.

The feel on the neck is amazing too... shape feels very good on the hands.
Stock frets are getting on the low side, but won't need a refret for a long time (I hope)...

The volume controls, I'm not sure if they are stock, but they don't evenly taper 0-2 is good travel but 3-10 is almost the same volume.

I haven't tried a dirty rock sound with it yet because i've been liking the clean so much. I'm hoping it will sound just as good distorted.

- Nic from Detroit... posting on JB's Forum since 6-2-2006
Ask me about my handwound Great Lakes Guitar Pickups
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  • From: North Carolina
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Re: 1965 Trini Lopez Gibson

Sweet guitar Nic!  I'm sure with it being so close to a 335 its going to sound nice and FAT like a 335 should sound.  When is Lester going on the auction block?

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  • From: Detroit
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Re: 1965 Trini Lopez Gibson

AD3THREE wrote:

Sweet guitar Nic!  I'm sure with it being so close to a 335 its going to sound nice and FAT like a 335 should sound.  When is Lester going on the auction block?

I'm going to fish it around to friends and family first. PM me if you're interested smile

- Nic from Detroit... posting on JB's Forum since 6-2-2006
Ask me about my handwound Great Lakes Guitar Pickups
Since 2010, Bonamassa fans have taken advantage of my JB friend discount = my cost + shipping. cool
  • From: North Carolina
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Re: 1965 Trini Lopez Gibson

Love it but I'm broke with children.  I might get a quote on those hand wound pickups you make though.

NPB_EST.1979 wrote:
AD3THREE wrote:

Sweet guitar Nic!  I'm sure with it being so close to a 335 its going to sound nice and FAT like a 335 should sound.  When is Lester going on the auction block?

I'm going to fish it around to friends and family first. PM me if you're interested smile

AD3THREE's Website

18 Reply by NPB_EST.1979 (edited by NPB_EST.1979 2012-06-21 14:58:10)

  • From: Detroit
  • Registered: 2006-06-02
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Re: 1965 Trini Lopez Gibson

I finally found a case for my Trini Lopez!
It was in a dreadnought case because nothing else could accommodate the elongated Firebird headstock.
My luthier just happened to be working on an Epiphone Sheraton II when I dropped it off. Word on the 'net was that the Trini Lopez guitars fit perfectly in the Epiphone Elitist Sheraton cases... so I gave it a whirl. PERFECT FIT. it was crazy. Also, with epiphone stamped on it, it's a good camouflage for gigging situations... nobody would ever suspect there's a '65 Gibson in it. lol
SO now i'm hunting down an Epi case. cool
My '78 LP Custom is still up for sale too.

- Nic from Detroit... posting on JB's Forum since 6-2-2006
Ask me about my handwound Great Lakes Guitar Pickups
Since 2010, Bonamassa fans have taken advantage of my JB friend discount = my cost + shipping. cool