Willie Nelson, the legendary American country music icon, has been performing with his Martin N-20 guitar since 1969. This nylon-string guitar, which he affectionately named “Trigger,” has become an essential part of Nelson’s music and performances for over half a century.
The most distinctive feature of Trigger is the large hole above the bridge, where the guitar’s top has worn away over time. This is due to Nelson’s powerful picking style, where he uses a plectrum (pick) to strike the strings, unlike the traditional fingerstyle used for nylon-string guitars. Since nylon-string guitars don’t typically come with pickguards, Trigger has suffered significant wear through countless shows and recordings. Over the years, Trigger has been scratched, cracked, glued back together, reinforced, lacquered, and even autographed by many other artists. Another unique aspect is that Nelson amplifies his nylon-string guitar, which is unconventional for this type of instrument. The result, combined with his distinctive playing style, is a sound that, much like his voice, has become instantly recognizable to fans worldwide.
Trigger’s Specifications
The guitar features a Sitka spruce top (what’s left of it), Brazilian rosewood back and sides, a mahogany neck, and an ebony fingerboard and bridge.
The Origin Story
In 1969, during a gig, Willie’s main guitar, a Baldwin, was badly damaged after a drunk patron accidentally stepped on it. After examining the damage, repairman Shot Jackson suggested Nelson replace it with a Martin D-20 he had available. Nelson agreed and had Jackson transfer the Baldwin’s pickup to the new guitar, paying $750 for what would become his beloved “Trigger.”
The Name “Trigger”
Willie Nelson didn’t name the guitar right away. It wasn’t until years later that he christened it “Trigger,” inspired by his childhood idol, Roy Rogers, who had a horse by the same name. “I figured, this is my horse!” Nelson explained in a 2012 interview with Texas Monthly.
Trigger’s story is not just about a guitar, but about a legendary artist who has brought life and soul to his music through this iconic instrument.
