Gibson 1970s ES-355 Headstock/Neck & 1960s Trini Lopez Body Project Guitar.The origins of the hybrid ES-355/ Trini Lopez guitar are a bit of a mystery. I bought this guitar off Ebay nearly 15 years ago and slowly assembled the parts to bring it to life. I'm focusing on recording and adding to my preamp collection as of late, and simply don't have the time - or interest - to finish this project. Plus, I have other guitars that can cover the same sonic ground as this one. After taking this to a few well-known, and well-respected, dealers here in the Phoenix area, all of them concluded that this hybrid was assembled from two Gibson guitars. Namely,  a 1970s ES-355 neck/headstock and a 1960s Trini Lopez body. I guess the collector term for these type of guitars is a "woodshop" guitar; something pulled together and assembled by off-the-clock Gibson employees from seconds or parts that weren't up to specs finish-wise. I had this assessed and appraised by Gruhn's Guitar in Tennessee on 1/19/2017, and they back up what the local dealers gathered.Here are the notes from the 1/19/2017 Gruhn's Appraisal:
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"We certify the instrument described below is, in our opinion, an incomplete assemblage of modified guitar parts from different eras, specifically a modified early-1970’s Gibson ES-355 model neck and a highly modified mid-1960’s Gibson Trini Lopez Standard model thinline archtop acoustic semi-hollowbody.

Description: We have been provided the following information: “This looks like a mix of a Gibson ES-355 Headstock and Neck with a Trini Lopez Body.” Serial number: none. Upon examination, we can identify the neck as originating on an early-1970’s Gibson ES-355 model guitar. The back of the peghead has been sanded down, removing the original serial number and “Made In USA” die-stamping. The back of the neck has been poorly re-finished in a dark brown color, without the use of grain-filler, leaving visible ingrain divots in the finish. A set of Gibson Deluxe tuners with metal keystone buttons has been mounted on the peghead, causing damage to the face of the peghead with visible edge-chipping around three of the tuner holes. The finish on the peghead face appears to be original. The body is a mid-1960’s Trini Lopez Standard body which has been highly modified to accept the mounting of the ES-355 model neck. The finish has been completely stripped from the body at some point, but the back has been poorly refinished in an uncharacteristic sunburst pattern. The tenon-joint of the ES-355 neck is shorter than the original neck and therefore has resulted in a neck that meets the body at the 19th fret instead of the 20th fret. This position shift also required that the body rout for the neck position pickup be moved, necessitating additional body routing and filler strips. This work is of poor quality as well. The original Trini Lopez body would have had been equipped with a tune-o-matic bridge and trapeze-style tailpiece, however the body currently shows signs of at least two other configurations with a stop-bar tailpiece and a vibrato tailpiece at different times. The top shows evidence that the tune-o-matic bridge was moved forward from its original position in order to compensate for the ES-355 model neck.Current market value of parts: $300 (three hundred dollars)Gruhn Guitars
2120 8th Avenue S
Nashville, TN 37204
-------------------------------------------------------------------------The Gruhn's valuation places this at a $300 value, but similar ES/Trini project guitars have sold in the $1300-$1800 range here on Ebay and other guitar resale sites, so I'm starting the opening price accordingly. I'm open to reasonable offers.I've posted plenty of pictures and am happy to send more to interested buyers.In addition to the guitar, this auction includes the following: 1970s Gibson Kluson Tulip tuners (Installed already), Black pickguard & mounting hardware, Gotoh Bridge, posts, and risers, Gotoh Tailpiece, Brown Volume & Tone Knobs, Truss Rod cover, & Pickup rings. Most of the hardware was purchased from Stewart MacDonald or All Parts.Also includes a 1970s Gibson case. It's a little rough and missing one hinge, but it will protect the guitar during transport. There is a replacement hinge in the case. I just never found the time to replace it.What it needs? Pickups, Pots, Wiring, Switch, Jack (all the electronics basically) and neck binding.I bought a set of Peter Florance 59 Pickups for this guitar and have listed those a separate auction. If you a interested in them we can work out a package deal. They list for $300 new, so keep that in mind when working out a price.  Please message me if you have any questions and I'll try my best to answer them. Shipping to the USA ONLY. I have $100 listed as the shipping but will refund any extra paid (minus box, packing and shipping cost). I pack items well for the journey via FedEx Ground - see past feedback.