Willie Nelson’s iconic guitar, Trigger, is a Martin N-20 classical acoustic model that was manufactured in 1969. This means it is currently 51 years old. Trigger has been with Willie since the early 1970s and has become almost as famous as its owner due to its frequent use on his many tours and recordings. Its age adds to its distinctive sound and character, making it even more special than when it first arrived in Willie’s hands over four decades ago.
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The Origins of Willie Nelson’s Guitar
In the world of music, few instruments are as iconic and beloved as Willie Nelson’s guitar – a vintage Martin N-20 acoustic. The instrument has become almost synonymous with its owner, accompanying him on stage for more than six decades and even appearing in his appearances in several films. But how old is Willie Nelson’s guitar? To answer that question, we need to go back to its origins.
The guitar was originally made by Martin Guitar Company in 1952, making it 67 years old today. It is one of the oldest guitars ever produced by the company and is thought to be one of only 100 handmade models they created before production was switched over to modern machinery. The original cost of the guitar was around $750 when it first came off the assembly line but now its worth has skyrocketed far beyond what would have been imaginable at that time; experts suggest it could be valued at well over a million dollars today.
Despite its age, Willie Nelson’s guitar remains in remarkable condition considering all the wear and tear it has seen throughout its long life; something which can be attributed to Nelson’s meticulous care for his instrument. While some may joke about “Trigger”, as he calls his beloved Martin N-20, being “older than dirt” – there’s no doubt this legendary instrument will continue to bring joy for many years ahead.
The History of Trigger
Willie Nelson’s guitar, Trigger, is undoubtedly one of the most recognizable guitars in modern music. It has a rich history that dates back to the early 1960s when it was originally owned by fellow country musician Little Jimmy Dickens. While he initially bought the guitar from a pawn shop for $30 and gave it to Nelson as a gift, its true origins are still unknown.
Throughout the years, Nelson put his own personal touch on Trigger and even added strings made from barbed wire, making sure it would stand out both in looks and sound. That unique quality certainly paid off–it soon became an integral part of his iconic style, famously seen in countless photos and live performances over the decades.
Nelson continues to keep Trigger with him today as a reminder of how far he has come since that fateful day when Dickens first handed him the instrument all those years ago. With this trusted companion always at his side, Willie Nelson will continue to dazzle audiences across generations with some timeless classic tunes.
Willie Nelson and Trigger: A Musical Partnership
Willie Nelson and Trigger, his Martin N-20 classical guitar, have been inseparable since 1969 when Willie purchased the instrument. Since then, Trigger has traveled around the world with Willie as he performs for crowds of all sizes. While Willie is known for his unique style of singing and songwriting, Trigger has become an iconic part of his performances. From Austin to Tokyo and everywhere in between, the sweet sound of Trigger resonates throughout arenas wherever Nelson plays.
Trigger was not always a part of Willie’s stage presence – prior to purchasing it from a Texas music store in ‘69 he performed primarily on acoustic guitars that were loaned to him by fans or borrowed from friends. But after buying Trigger for $750 (a hefty sum at the time), his career skyrocketed almost immediately and continues even today – over 50 years later. That makes the old N-20 nearly six decades old which is remarkable considering its condition remains impeccable despite constant use.
But what makes this pair so special? For starters, they have seen each other through some difficult times including financial hardship during the early days of Willie’s career and various health concerns as he gets older. The loyalty that this duo exhibits toward one another may be why they have had such an enduring relationship; it’s a testament to their bond that even today you can still hear them playing together like they did when they first met.
How Trigger Got Its Name
One of the most iconic instruments in country music, Willie Nelson’s guitar Trigger is almost as well-known as its owner. The name “Trigger” came from Roy Rogers’ horse, which was a reference to the age of the instrument when Nelson purchased it. After being acquired from a pawn shop in 1969 for $50, Willie added his own touches such as an extra pickup and even drew a face on its neck that has become infamous amongst fans.
The name “Trigger” can also be credited to popular culture at the time, specifically the Roy Rogers Show, which featured the famous horse by that same name. In fact, Rogers himself called his horse Trigger Jr. After his original mount who had passed away prior to filming beginning in 1951. Being a fan of westerns himself, this connection may have resonated with Nelson and subsequently led him to give his beloved guitar its famous moniker.
Since its acquisition by Willie, Trigger has been at virtually every one of his concerts throughout each decade since then and remains an integral part of not only Nelson’s sound but country music history as well. It may not have cost much upon purchase but today it serves as symbol–both for Willie and for the genre itself–that carries far more than financial value could ever measure up to.
Trigger’s Notable Moments in Music History
Throughout the years, Willie Nelson’s iconic guitar Trigger has been his faithful companion and has even made appearances at some of music history’s most notable moments. In 1968, it was in attendance when he performed at the Newport Folk Festival with Johnny Cash and Kris Kristofferson, one of country music’s most memorable events. Later that same year, it was present when he opened for Elvis Presley in Las Vegas. Trigger also had a cameo appearance in “Honeysuckle Rose” (1980), Willie Nelson’s biopic directed by Jerry Schatzberg which received two Oscar nominations.
In recent times, Trigger continues to show up on stage every time Willie Nelson plays – no matter how big or small the venue is. The 79-year-old musician never fails to make sure it accompanies him during live performances as a reminder of all its contributions throughout his career so far. Whether he is playing solo or accompanied by other legendary musicians such as Bob Dylan and Paul Simon, you can always spot Trigger strumming away somewhere on stage.
The instrument itself was built back in 1959 making it an impressive sixty years old now. Despite its age, due to careful maintenance done over time by technicians such as Billy Robinson who works alongside Willie Nelson since 1979; this guitar shows little signs of wear and tear and still sounds just as beautiful today as it did decades ago.
Maintaining Trigger: The Care and Keeping of a Famous Guitar
One of the most iconic pieces of music history is Willie Nelson’s trusty guitar, Trigger. This famous instrument has been with the legendary musician for more than 50 years, travelling thousands of miles and seen in performances all over the world. As any fan knows, care must be taken to keep a beloved instrument like Trigger in pristine condition, so that it may continue to accompany Willie on stage and delight audiences everywhere.
When maintaining Trigger, there are a few key steps one should follow to ensure its longevity. Guitars are sensitive instruments and should never be left out in extreme temperatures or environments with high humidity levels – this can damage the wood and strings. Cleaning your guitar on a regular basis helps remove dust particles that can interfere with performance quality if they build up too much over time. A soft cloth dampened with water or specialized cleaner will do the trick here. Changing your strings every three months helps maintain its sound quality by preventing corrosion from buildup and ensuring optimal playability between sessions.
In addition to these basic maintenance tips, proper storage is key when caring for Trigger (or any other musical instrument). Find an area away from sunlight and make sure to store upright at all times – this will help prevent neck warping or string-tension fluctuations due to gravity changes caused by movement or transport. You’ll want to use a hard case that fits snugly around your guitar for extra protection against knocks or bumps during travel so you won’t have any unexpected surprises once you arrive.
The Future of Trigger and Willie Nelson
The future of Trigger, Willie Nelson’s famed guitar, is uncertain. It is an iconic instrument that has travelled with the country singer for over four decades and still graces stages around the world. Despite its age, Trigger continues to captivate audiences with its vintage sound and aged aesthetic.
This leaves many wondering: how much longer will Willie keep playing this beloved ax? While it may seem like a difficult question to answer, there are certain factors that could affect Trigger’s lifespan as Willie’s main axe. For instance, his health – as Willie gets older, he may find it more difficult to continue performing with Trigger in tow. The continuing wear and tear of touring can take its toll on even the most well-cared-for instruments; however, so far the aging process has not impeded Trigger’s performance capabilities or sound quality.
Ultimately only time will tell ifTrigger is here for good or if a new ax takes its place in the near future. The idea of another guitarist taking up this timeless instrument doesn’t sit well with fans who have come to associate it exclusively with Willie Nelson’s signature twang – but one thing is certain: no matter what happens next forTrigger and Willie Nelson together or apart – their legacy lives on through songs such as “On The Road Again” and “Crazy” which will always remain classics from a legendary pairing.
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