Paul Familetti , Wikimedia Commons//CC BY 2.0
From his gigs at Tootsie ’s Orchid Lounge and the Grand Ole Opry to his rank in the Highwaymen , the name “ Willie Nelson ” is almost synonymous with nation music .
So what ’s he doing playing a Martin N-20 classic guitar ?
In 1969 , Nelsonplayeda Baldwin acoustic . He lay it on the floor of the stage while playing a gig one dark , and , in his words , “ a drunkard step on it . ” He sent the battered remains to music legend and guitar clothes designer Shot Jackson to see if he could repair it , but the guitar was beyond saving . At least , most of it was . Jackson mentioned that he could probably save the Baldwin ’s pickup truck , which Nelson favour because it gave him a much bigger strait onstage . Nelson neededsomethingto play , so Jackson offered him a Martin classical guitar that he happened to have hanging out in the shop . For the low terms of $ 750 , Nelson agreed — and the most celebrated artist - guitar span in the story of euphony ( arguably ) was joined .
Because classical guitar are mean to be fingerpicked , not strummed , they do n’t typically come with pickguards , the piece of charge card that protects the Mrs. Henry Wood of the body from the unceasing wear and rip of playing . Nelson ’s Martin was no exception — and that ’s why a large hole has spring in the guitar over the ten . But the trap does n’t inconvenience Willie . In fact , hethinksit improves the audio , and Martin guitar intriguer Dick Boakagrees : “ As you scratch by at the top , the fall thickness of the membrane will most likely make the guitar vocalise better . ”
Nelson is so attached to the guitar that he eventually gave it aname : Trigger , after Roy Rogers ’ sawhorse . During his infamous taxation problem in the 1990s , Nelson had Trigger hidden away with his daughter to make certain that his most valuable plus would n’t beseizedalong with the rest of his property . Obviously , the guitar survived the maraud — but if Trigger finally report to that large tour jalopy in the sky , do n’t be surprised if Willie retires . He has long said that he ’ll quit toy when his guitar does , though he does n’t think that will happen , articulate , “ probably Trigger will survive me . ”
