Willie Nelson has always done things his own way, and the same can be said for his cherished guitar, Trigger. This isn’t just a story about an instrument—it’s a tale of friendship, identity, and shared journeys. Trigger, a Martin N-20 nylon-string guitar (serial number 242830), has been by Willie Nelson’s side since 1969, through the highs and lows, forming an inseparable bond.
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A Guitar Born from Misfortune
Trigger entered Willie’s life after an unfortunate incident involving his Baldwin guitar at the John T. Floore Country Store in Helotes, Texas. Willie had placed his Baldwin acoustic guitar on stage between sets when, as he recalls, “a drunk stepped on it,” damaging it beyond repair.
Willie took the broken guitar to Shot Jackson, a luthier in Nashville, who was unable to save the instrument. Instead, Jackson offered Willie a new Martin N-20 classical guitar. Willie hesitated at first, asking, “Is it any good?” Jackson assured him it was, and for $750, Trigger found a home in Willie’s hands.
Built to Last
Trigger was assembled with remarkable craftsmanship. Its top is made from Sitka spruce from the Pacific Northwest, with Brazilian rosewood back and sides. The fretboard and bridge are ebony from Africa, and the neck is mahogany from the Amazon basin. It even has brass tuning pegs from Germany. While most Martin guitars are known for their bright, rich sound, Trigger’s tone has developed a character all its own, reflecting decades of heavy use and Willie’s distinctive playing style.
From Guitar to Legend
Trigger is more than just an instrument; it’s Willie’s voice, his heart, and his companion. Nelson discovered Trigger at a crossroads in his career. By 1969, after nearly a decade trying to become a clean-cut solo success in Nashville, Willie longed for a guitar that could capture the gypsy-jazz sound of his hero, Django Reinhardt. “I think he was the best guitar player ever,” Nelson said. Inspired, he named his new Martin after Roy Rogers’ famous horse: “Trigger.”
The guitar is as battered and worn as Willie himself, its spruce top adorned with signatures, scars, and even a large hole, worn through years of aggressive strumming. Despite its seemingly fragile state, Willie insists Trigger’s imperfections are key to its distinctive sound. “I always thought it enhanced the sound,” he once said about the hole, which many experts agree contributes to the guitar’s unique acoustic properties.
Trigger’s Famous Battle Scars
Trigger bears autographs of musicians and friends Willie met along his journey. Among the visible signatures are those of Johnny Cash, Kris Kristofferson, and Roger Miller. The guitar’s bridge had to be replaced in 1989, and the tuning pegs have worn out multiple times due to Willie’s habit of nervously twisting them on stage. Trigger’s repairs have been meticulously performed by luthier Mark Erlewine in Austin, who continues to reinforce the aging instrument.
Trigger Takes the Spotlight
Before Willie hits the stage each night, there’s a commotion when his longtime guitar tech, Tunin’ Tom Hawkins, brings Trigger out, placing it at center stage. “The whole front row will come up photographing for several minutes before the show starts,” Hawkins says, highlighting Trigger’s iconic status.
A Bond Unlike Any Other
Willie and Trigger have shared history-defining moments: from Farm Aid concerts to serenading President Jimmy Carter, and even quiet personal moments like comforting friends during loss. Trigger even survived a house fire in 1969, when Willie raced inside to save the guitar and a pound of weed. That blaze became a turning point, signaling Nelson’s return to Texas and a freer, wilder phase of his career, helping pioneer the outlaw country movement.
Trigger Saves Willie
Trigger also played a pivotal role during Willie’s financial struggles with the IRS in the 1990s. After losing much of his possessions due to unpaid taxes, Willie recorded an album featuring only Trigger, selling enough copies to settle his debts. Thus, Trigger became not just a companion but a savior.
The Unmatched Sound
Trigger’s sound is as unique as its history. At the time Willie began using Trigger, no acoustic guitar had been successfully amplified with a pickup. Willie achieved a unique sound nobody else had, thanks to Trigger’s Prismatone pickup, originally from his Baldwin guitar.
Luthiers and guitar enthusiasts marvel at its rich, resonant tone, which has only improved with age. Many have tried to provide Willie with replacements, including exact Martin replicas, but none have satisfied him.
The Final Note
Willie Nelson’s relationship with Trigger is one of music’s greatest love stories. As Willie approaches his ninth decade, he remains inseparable from Trigger, continuing to tour and record, cherishing every note. Both man and guitar share a mutual understanding—they’ll keep playing as long as they can, knowing someday, inevitably, they’ll have to bid each other farewell.
Until then, Trigger remains more than wood and wire; it’s the heart and soul of Willie Nelson’s music, bearing testament to a life well-lived and beautifully played.
