Shop Notes April 23rd, 2019 |
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Shop Sightings A couple weeks back a good customer and friend brought by a rare bird: a 1964 Gibson Trini Lopez Standard. It is essentially a 335, with the laminated maple arch top, and standard wiring. It was designed in partnership with the Mexican-American singer at the height of his career. In contrast to the larger, almost jazz box Trini Lopez Deluxe, the Standard is geared more toward a rock sensibility, and this specimen is from the very first year of production. | | |
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The first point of interest is the six-per-side headstock. Trini had cut his teeth on Fender guitars and, though Gibson was the more logical choice for major sponsorship, he made a stipulation that his models be fitted with a headstock most familiar to him. | | |
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The second departure from a standard 335 are the diamond shaped sound holes. You might recognize them from Dave Grohl's custom guitar, on stage with the Foo Fighters. His is in fact based on the old Trini Lopez Standard. | | |
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Off the bench Here is a hollowbody guitar I built for a customer a few years back, in for a check up. It is made from solid Hawaiian Koa. This instrument is fitted with a mahognay center block that proceeds from the tail up to the bridge and no farther. The pickups float in hollow space, much more like a traditional hollowbody. This way we get a great marriage between stability and resonance. | | |
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Maybe the most important quality of Koa, beyond resonance and beauty, is its tendency not to expand or contract as much as other woods when faced with extremes in temperature or humidity. After two years the finish is still in perfect condition and it hardly even needed a setup. If you are looking for beauty but don't want to sacrifice durability, Hawaiian Koa might be for you. | | |
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