Willie Nelson and His Famous Guitar: The Tale of Trigger

One of the Most Legendary Partnerships in Music History

In the world of music, few instruments are as iconic — or as beloved — as Willie Nelson’s guitar, Trigger. For over five decades, Trigger has been more than just a guitar. It’s been a companion, a diary, a battle-scarred symbol of outlaw country, and a testament to the soul of Willie Nelson himself.

The Birth of a Legend
Trigger — named after Roy Rogers’ trusty horse — is a Martin N-20 classical guitar that Willie purchased in 1969 after his previous guitar was damaged. At the time, Nelson was transitioning away from the polished Nashville sound and embracing a rawer, more personal style. Trigger became his voice, his instrument of rebellion, and the heartbeat of his songs.

Unlike most country artists of the time, Willie chose to amplify Trigger using a pickup designed for steel-string guitars, giving it a unique, almost ragged tone that matched his distinctive vocal phrasing. That sound — full of grit and warmth — became inseparable from Nelson’s musical identity.

Wear, Tear, and Tender Care
Over the years, Trigger has developed a life of its own. The hole worn through its cedar body from decades of strumming is perhaps its most recognizable feature. Willie never tried to hide the damage — he embraced it. For him, every scratch and scar told a story. He once said:

“Trigger’s like me — old and beat-up, but still going.”

Nelson has taken extraordinary care of the guitar. His personal luthier has repaired it dozens of times, always preserving its character. Willie has gone so far as to say that if his house caught fire, he’d save Trigger before anything else.

A Musical Guestbook
One of the most fascinating aspects of Trigger is that it’s covered in signatures from some of the greatest musicians and friends Willie has played with over the years — including Leon Russell, Johnny Cash, Kris Kristofferson, Waylon Jennings, and Gene Autry. It’s a living museum of country music, signed in ink and etched in wood.

More Than Wood and Strings
Willie Nelson and Trigger have been together for thousands of concerts, across decades, miles, and generations. From “Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain” to “Always On My Mind”, that guitar has been a silent partner, a second voice, and a piece of his soul.

In interviews, Nelson has made it clear: when Trigger goes, he goes. The guitar is so integral to his life and music that he sees its retirement as the natural end of the journey.

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