Willie Nelson and His Famous Guitar: The Tale of Trigger

Thanks for sharing. Dan, of this model of guitar (Martin N-20), Martin made one in 1968 and 12 in 1969. 13 in total. Willie's is 1969. I also have one that was made in 1969 signed by Willie Nelson and CF Martin (with accompanying letters of authenticity). It is UNPLAYED. I bought it years ago when the guy selling it thought the VALUE was in the signatures (and not the guitar). He had got it from the original owner who was a huge Willie Nelson fan in the 1970's and died in around 1981/1982 time frame. Included in the package was pictures of the owner with Willie, letters about the guitar, letter of authenticity, backstage passes, etc.

I paid his asking price and didn't think twice. I know it's worth a lot more today.

Mike.......That is REALLY cool.

Hi Mike,

That is amazing. Hold onto that guitar with both hands and don't let go! What a rare and special guitar you have there. I have also owned many special guitars over the years including a Martin D-41, Benedetto Fratello, Gibson L-5 CES, Comins Chester Avenue and Ramirez Classical. But yours is one of a kind. Wonderful!

Best,
Ken

That is very cool. It would be hard not to play it once in a while, though. I am a classical guitar fan since that is what I first learned on. I still have the Yamaha G231 II but I rarely play it as I have replaced it with a 1968 Taurus model 56 (that I bought off of Kijiji!) and a 1992 Paulino Bernabe M-50. I also have a custom made Renaissance lute and a german lute guitar. I love early guitar and lute music.

For steel string I have a custom made 2008 Bertoncini OOO and a 2005 Breedlove c-25 Northwest classic. They are nice guitars but I just can't get used to their narrow necks. I much prefer my classical guitars. But they are still fun to play and every guitar has it's own tone.

Congratulations on such a nice guitar. I would also never let it go.

Sweet, but too nice a guitar not to play it.

I have a Squier Strat signed by Sammy Hagar, original Mexican bulk - they made tens of thousands and he must have signed hundreds. Swop? That one can't be played, too bad quality [emoji3].


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For other folks interested in guitars like myself. here are two videos on the repair of Trigger during Willies yearly service

As a Martin owner, a J41S and HD28V. Personally I've always thought Trigger sounded like crap.