Cadillac Of Guitars?

[jtr654]

Jim. I don't remember The White Falcon but the ES355 wasn't twice the cost of a Mark1.The Trini Lopez standard was the same cost as the ES 335 around $365+ case extra.

[Haole Jim]

'Distinctly remember an ES-355 with gold plated parts, stereo and varitone and New Style Gibson Deluxe Vibrola being about $650 in about '68. "Preposterous, outrageous!"

See p 6 of a Gibson 1966 catalogue for a colour photo and description, also p 217-19 of Gibson Guitars-100 Years Of An American Icon."

As said, for whatever reason, Gibson marketed two Trini Lopez models for a couple years. One was based on the ES-335 (Standard) and the Deluxe on the 3" deep, double Florentine cutaways, Barney Kessel. See pages 2 and 3 of Gibson's 1966 catalogue, "Electric Acoustic Artist" models.

Both had six-on-a side tuners, but the Deluxe had a smaller headstock unique in the whole line. The Deluxe featured an ebony fingerboard but oddly, chrome hardware. Both had chrome trapeze tailpieces with a wood spacer and plastic cap, "Trini Lopez Model," as well as split-diamond fretboard inlays.

As far as known, Mr. Lopez only played (and played exclusively) the Deluxe on stage. Where the Standard came from is unknown to this writer.

However, a Pelham Blue Standard-Custom (w/ Barney Kessel "special" bridge pup) has been in this picker's harem for 41 years and is one of the hippest guitars in this arm of the galactic spiral. (see p 236 of the Gibson book)