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 T-Type Treble Humbucker Nickel 2-Conductor, Unpotted, Alnico V Parts / Guitar Pickups
Gibson T-Type Treble Humbucker Nickel 2-Conductor, Unpotted, Alnico V Parts / Guitar Pickups
Gibson T-Type Treble Humbucker Nickel 2-Conductor, Unpotted, Alnico V Parts / Guitar Pickups

Gibson T-Type Treble Humbucker Nickel 2-Conductor, Unpotted, Alnico V

$149.00
Gibson Custombucker Humbucker True Historic Nickel 2-Conductor, Unpotted, Alnico III Parts / Guitar Pickups
Gibson Custombucker Humbucker True Historic Nickel 2-Conductor, Unpotted, Alnico III Parts / Guitar Pickups
Gibson Custombucker Humbucker True Historic Nickel 2-Conductor, Unpotted, Alnico III Parts / Guitar Pickups

Gibson Custombucker Humbucker True Historic Nickel 2-Conductor, Unpotted, Alnico III

$269.00
Gibson 57 Classic Humbucker Gold 2-Conductor, Potted, Alnico II Parts / Guitar Pickups
Gibson 57 Classic Humbucker Gold 2-Conductor, Potted, Alnico II Parts / Guitar Pickups
Gibson 57 Classic Humbucker Gold 2-Conductor, Potted, Alnico II Parts / Guitar Pickups

Gibson 57 Classic Humbucker Gold 2-Conductor, Potted, Alnico II

$169.00
Gibson Custombucker Humbucker True Historic Gold 2-Conductor, Unpotted, Alnico III Parts / Guitar Pickups
Gibson Custombucker Humbucker True Historic Gold 2-Conductor, Unpotted, Alnico III Parts / Guitar Pickups

Gibson Custombucker Humbucker True Historic Gold 2-Conductor, Unpotted, Alnico III

$289.00

Related Posts

Dunable New Releases | 2020

Dunable New Releases | 2020

We asked Sacha Dunable about the spirit behind his handmade guitars. His answer? "If the main riffs from "Sabbath Bloody Sabbath", "21st Century Schizoid Man", "Creeping Death", and "Aja" got...

Read more
Fender Custom Shop Electric XII Super Aged Olympic White Master Built By Carlos Lopez

Fender Custom Shop Electric XII Super Aged Olympic White Master Built By Carlos Lopez

The Fender CS Electric XII Journeyman Relic Super Super Aged Olympic White RW Master Built by Carlos Lopez is one of few Electric XIIs Fender has released since its discontinuation...

Read more
Fender New Releases | 2020

Fender New Releases | 2020

Fender's rolling out a fleet of fresh products, just in time for summer's end. Roadworn returns. New Signature models flash signature touches. The Jazz Bass celebrates 60 years. Tube tone...

Read more