I once had the pleasure of owning a fantastic guitar, technically known as the “Trini Lopez 335.” Mine was a Memphis Custom Shop model, distinguished by its stopbar tailpiece. I acquired it a few years back at a steal from a friend – around $1800. This guitar became my main instrument for recording an album and playing several gigs.
What struck me most about my Trini Lopez was its unique sonic character. It was notably chirpier, brighter, and spankier than any Gibson I had ever encountered. In fact, before this guitar, I hadn’t truly connected with a Gibson. The Classic 57 pickups were simply outstanding, contributing to an incredibly responsive and sonically rich instrument. Adding to its charm was the finish checking that had developed, lending it a cool, vintage mojo.
Like other 335-style guitars, the Trini Lopez naturally emphasizes the mid-range frequencies. While it doesn’t possess the deep low-end punch of a Telecaster, it compensates with a beefier low-mid presence, providing a substantial and powerful rhythm guitar sound. For lead work, especially on the bridge pickup, the Trini was virtually unbeatable, delivering that quintessential thick Gibson tone. My particular Trini Lopez was set up impeccably, offering exceptional playability thanks to top-notch fretwork and overall craftsmanship – truly a dream guitar in every sense.
However, despite my deep appreciation for this instrument, I eventually decided to sell it. The reasons might seem a bit unconventional. As a teacher and father of two, the practicality of gigging with a $3,000 guitar at smaller venues started to weigh on me. Meanwhile, I owned two Telecasters that I not only loved the tone of but also felt more comfortable taking to potentially risky gigs. The thought of constantly worrying about theft while playing live became tiresome.
Ultimately, my decision to sell the Trini Lopez came down to these key factors:
- Tonal Preference Shift: My musical projects were leaning towards a “nastier” tone, and the Trini, while superb, is inherently more refined and focused on the lower-mids. My Telecasters better suited this evolving sonic direction.
- Financial Prudence: Owning a high-value guitar felt somewhat out of sync with emerging family needs and priorities. The funds from the sale could be better allocated elsewhere.
- External Perceptions: Even fellow musicians with more affluent lifestyles questioned my choice to gig with such a valuable instrument, reinforcing my own sense of its impracticality in my current context.
In conclusion, the Trini Lopez Guitar is undeniably exceptional. If its tonal characteristics align with your musical aspirations and practical needs, I wholeheartedly recommend it. It’s a truly remarkable instrument.
