And the all-time Gibson artist model head-scratcher is...

[Buduranus2]

...the Trini Lopez model. Models, actually. The "Custom" was a slightly reworked Barney Kessel while the "Standard" was a 335 with a Firebird peghead. I like Trini Lopez as well as the next guy but I've never heard anyone aspire to play like him. If that weren't enough, now they've reissued a VOS Standard for $6,399!

 

[GtrTravel]

...the Trini Lopez model. Models, actually. The "Custom" was a slightly reworked Barney Kessel while the "Standard" was a 335 with a Firebird peghead. I like Trini Lopez as well as the next guy but I've never heard anyone aspire to play like him. If that weren't enough, now they've reissued a VOS Standard for $6,399!




View attachment 475814

Good Tune. Fab voice and his right hand is tight with the drums. Dig it.

 

[Raimond]

 

[wox]

Signature models are not lifetime achievement awards for the most sick licks ever shredded.

They go to popular musicians and others with an audience (either a wide audience or a narrow deep audience).

Lopez was popular in his time. The guitar was not produced for many years, but Grohl gave it enough visibility to renew demand.

 

[360MG]

Andy Bell of Ride used one as his main for a good while. If I had my pick of 335s I would probably get one. Very funky and cool.

 

[budg]

Lopez was so popular at the time he also acted in The Dirty Dozen

 

[ClickClack]

Instrument manufacturers bring out these signature models to make money by capitalizing on the artist's popularity, not as a sign of recognition of his/her excellence as a musician. As soon as that artist's popularity fades, the potential demand for said instruments is likely to fade, as well, and the instrument will become a collector's item until there is some reason to believe more can be sold.

 

[mc5nrg]

About the only rock musician used in guitar company ads in the 60s was Hendrix and Fender didn't change the name of the model. Gibson being somewhat of a traditional instrument company named models after more middle of the road or jazz players.

 

[Chuckracer]

That's a head scratcher, isn't it?

 

[Sweetfinger]

I remember when $1,800. would get you a 60s Trini Standard. It was the go-to when you wanted a 335 but didn't have the dough. They'd still be relatively affordable and not reissued if Dave Grohl hadn't sported one.

 

[mc5nrg]

George Gobel anyone?

 

[BlackSG91]

I'm not too crazy about those what used to be 'f' holes...looks too angular and not flowing.

 

[Gallery]

Doesn't seem so unusual to me. And the new releases are totally driven by the popularity of the Foo Fighters and Dave Grohl, so that shouldn't be a surprise to anyone.

 

[Guitarworks]

Actually, it was Pete Stroud who started the price increase on vintage Trini Lopez Standards. Many years before Dave Grohl got a sig Gibson Trini Lopez, Pete went on record in an interview stating (I'm paraphrasing here) 'If you want a Gibson ES-335 without the Gibson ES-335 price tag, buy a Trini Lopez. They're cheap and plentiful. It's a 335 with the wrong headstock, but it makes no difference to the sound. I see them everywhere and I've snagged several really good ones for next to nothing.' That's when the prices started to climb on those.

 

[Raimond]

Idk the Kiefer Sutherland model anyone? That’s more of a head scratcher to me, I didn’t even know the dude played!

 

[mermermer]

...the Trini Lopez model. Models, actually. The "Custom" was a slightly reworked Barney Kessel while the "Standard" was a 335 with a Firebird peghead. I like Trini Lopez as well as the next guy but I've never heard anyone aspire to play like him. If that weren't enough, now they've reissued a VOS Standard for $6,399!




View attachment 475814

Actually the firebird has a Trini Lopez headstock. And the Kiefer Sutherland is up there with the Beato for best head scratchers.

 

[Phil3]

That's a real expensive head scratcher... Personally, I just use the TV remote.

 

[3-Chord-Genius]

I don't even know who that is/was. I'd like to think Gibson's marketing department does research to establish that there's a market demand before starting a brand new line of guitars. My assumption is that they did, and I must be an idiot for not "getting it"...

 

[I R P]

I don’t know who Barney Kessel was either, now that you mention it.

 

[agquake]

I prefer my ES-369