Vintage Vibes: 1968 Gibson Trini Lopez Deluxe Sunburst

VINTAGE VIBES: VINTAGE VIBES - 1968 Gibson Trini Lopez Deluxe Sunburst

Henry tells the story of Trini Lopez and his highly collectible signature model, the Gibson Trini Lopez Deluxe, thawing our weary winter bones in the process with dreams of hot sun, white sand beaches, and maybe a lemon tree or two.

Henry Describes the 1968 Gibson Trini Lopez Deluxe

Product image

In the early 60s, Gibson had the most impressive roster of artist endorsements across the guitar industry, as well as signature guitars with players like Barney Kessel, Tal Farlow, the Everly Brothers, and Les Paul. However, the signature model that performed the best belonged to a Dallas-born Mexican-American singer, guitarist, and actor: Trini Lopez.

For those who don't know, Trini Lopez was discovered by Frank Sinatra while playing a club in Dallas. Multifaceted and multitalented, he was a huge pop star at the time, had major hits, including his versions of America, La Bamba, If I Had a Hammer, and also appeared in the film The Dirty Dozen.

When Gibson approached Trini to create his own signature model, he basically took the Barney Kessel guitar that he already played and owned and added some tweaks and mods to it to make it his own. 

He moved the pickup selector switch down and added a kill switch. Some of the striking visual changes that he made were the diamond f-holes, split diamond inlays, and the headstock. He asked Gibson to go from the three-on-a-side headstock, which they're obviously most famous for, to the six-on-a-side.

Looking at this, you might think it looks like a Firebird, and you'd be correct. However, it’s a little bit elongated compared to what the Firebirds looked like at the time.

Around the same time that Gibson asked Trini to create this guitar, he created another guitar. That’s right. He released two signature models for Gibson: the Trini Lopez Deluxe and Trini Lopez Standard, which is very similar to a 335.

Product image

SHOP GIBSON

Gibson Custom Shop 1958 Les Paul Standard
Gibson Custom Shop 1958 Les Paul Standard
Gibson Custom Shop 1958 Les Paul Standard
Gibson Custom Shop 1958 Les Paul Standard
Gibson Custom Shop 1958 Les Paul Standard
Gibson Custom Shop 1958 Les Paul Standard
Gibson Custom Shop 1958 Les Paul Standard
Gibson Custom Shop 1958 Les Paul Standard
Gibson Custom Shop 1958 Les Paul Standard
Gibson Custom Shop 1958 Les Paul Standard
Gibson Custom Shop 1958 Les Paul Standard

Gibson Custom Shop 1958 Les Paul Standard "CME Spec" Antiquity Burst VOS w/59 Carmelita Neck

$5,399.00
Gibson Custom Shop 1956 Les Paul Standard Antique Sparkling Burgundy VOS GH w/59 Carmelita Neck
Gibson Custom Shop 1956 Les Paul Standard Antique Sparkling Burgundy VOS GH w/59 Carmelita Neck
Gibson Custom Shop 1956 Les Paul Standard Antique Sparkling Burgundy VOS GH w/59 Carmelita Neck
Gibson Custom Shop 1956 Les Paul Standard Antique Sparkling Burgundy VOS GH w/59 Carmelita Neck
Gibson Custom Shop 1956 Les Paul Standard Antique Sparkling Burgundy VOS GH w/59 Carmelita Neck
Gibson Custom Shop 1956 Les Paul Standard Antique Sparkling Burgundy VOS GH w/59 Carmelita Neck
Gibson Custom Shop 1956 Les Paul Standard Antique Sparkling Burgundy VOS GH w/59 Carmelita Neck
Gibson Custom Shop 1956 Les Paul Standard Antique Sparkling Burgundy VOS GH w/59 Carmelita Neck
Gibson Custom Shop 1956 Les Paul Standard Antique Sparkling Burgundy VOS GH w/59 Carmelita Neck
Gibson Custom Shop 1956 Les Paul Standard Antique Sparkling Burgundy VOS GH w/59 Carmelita Neck
Gibson Custom Shop 1956 Les Paul Standard Antique Sparkling Burgundy VOS GH w/59 Carmelita Neck

Gibson Custom Shop 1956 Les Paul Standard Antique Sparkling Burgundy VOS GH w/59 Carmelita Neck

$5,999.00
Gibson Custom Shop 1958 Les Paul Standard
Gibson Custom Shop 1958 Les Paul Standard
Gibson Custom Shop 1958 Les Paul Standard
Gibson Custom Shop 1958 Les Paul Standard
Gibson Custom Shop 1958 Les Paul Standard
Gibson Custom Shop 1958 Les Paul Standard
Gibson Custom Shop 1958 Les Paul Standard
Gibson Custom Shop 1958 Les Paul Standard
Gibson Custom Shop 1958 Les Paul Standard
Gibson Custom Shop 1958 Les Paul Standard
Gibson Custom Shop 1958 Les Paul Standard
Gibson Custom Shop 1958 Les Paul Standard
Gibson Custom Shop 1958 Les Paul Standard

Gibson Custom Shop 1958 Les Paul Standard "CME Spec" Green Lemon VOS w/60 V2 Neck Profile Sunburst

$4,295.00
Gibson Les Paul Custom Cherry Sunburst 1990
Gibson Les Paul Custom Cherry Sunburst 1990
Gibson Les Paul Custom Cherry Sunburst 1990
Gibson Les Paul Custom Cherry Sunburst 1990
Gibson Les Paul Custom Cherry Sunburst 1990
Gibson Les Paul Custom Cherry Sunburst 1990
Gibson Les Paul Custom Cherry Sunburst 1990
Gibson Les Paul Custom Cherry Sunburst 1990
Gibson Les Paul Custom Cherry Sunburst 1990
Gibson Les Paul Custom Cherry Sunburst 1990
Gibson Les Paul Custom Cherry Sunburst 1990
Gibson Les Paul Custom Cherry Sunburst 1990
Gibson Les Paul Custom Cherry Sunburst 1990
Gibson Les Paul Custom Cherry Sunburst 1990
Gibson Les Paul Custom Cherry Sunburst 1990

Gibson Les Paul Custom Cherry Sunburst 1990

$4,095.00

Related Posts

Boutique Guitar Showcase | 2023

Boutique Guitar Showcase | 2023

Mark your calendars! Just as we did in 2020-2022, Chicago Music Exchange will proudly host the Boutique Guitar Showcase enTour 2023! Admirers of boutique guitar craftsmanship and fine lutherie, alike,...

Read more
Fender | Tone Master Pro Multi-Effects Workstation

Fender | Tone Master Pro Multi-Effects Workstation

Master your tone like a pro with the Fender Tone Master Pro Guitar Workstation! Combining a powerful, intuitive interface with a host of I/O options, the new Tone Master Pro...

Read more
DW Drums | CDE Exclusive Performance Series Confetti Sparkle

DW Drums | CDE Exclusive Performance Series Confetti Sparkle

If a finish that glitters is as good as gold to you, then take a look at the DW Performance Series drums in our color-blasted Confetti Sparkle finish—now available exclusively...

Read more