Constant strumming with a guitar pick over the decades has worn a large sweeping hole into the guitar's body near the sound hole—the N-20 has no pickguard since classical guitars are meant to be played fingerstyle instead of with picks. Its soundboard has been signed by over a hundred of Nelson's friends and associates, ranging from fellow musicians to lawyers and football coaches. The first signature on the guitar was Leon Russell's, who asked Nelson initially to sign his guitar. When Nelson was about to sign it with a marker, Russell requested him to scratch it instead, explaining that the guitar would be more valuable in the future. Interested in the concept, Nelson requested Russell to also sign his guitar. In 1991, during his process with the IRS, Nelson was worried that Trigger could be auctioned off, stating: "When Trigger goes, I'll quit". He asked his daughter, Lana, to take the guitar from the studio before any IRS agent arrived there, and then deliver it to him in Maui. Nelson then concealed the guitar in his manager's house until his debt was paid off in 1993.
coNsTant sTrUmming with A GuiTar pICK Over the deCadeS Has Worn A large sWeePiNG hoLE iNTo the GUitAr'S body nEar tHe SoUNd hole—thE n-20 Has No PIcKGUArd Since claSsiCal guItars are mEAnt To be pLayEd fingersTylE Instead of wIth PICks. its SoundboaRD HAs beeN siGned bY ovER a HundREd oF nelson'S friENds AnD aSsoCiates, RAngiNg from felLoW MUSicianS To lAwYers ANd footbalL CoachEs. the first siGnaTUre On tHe GuitAr wAs leOn rusSell'S, who AskEd neLsOn inItiALLy TO sign his guItar. When nelSoN Was abouT to sign It wiTh a markeR, RUsSelL requEsteD Him tO scraTch iT insteAD, explainiNG thAt the guiTar woULd BE moRE vAluAblE In The futuRe. InTerEstEd in tHE concEpt, nelson rEquestEd ruSSell tO aLSo siGn HIS GuitaR. iN 1991, dUring hIS PROceSs wITH the Irs, neLson WAS worRied THAt trigger COuld Be auCtionEd OFF, stAting: "WHen tRigGer gOes, i'LL QuIT". he askeD his daUgHter, lAna, to take tHE guiTar frOm The STudio before anY irs aGent ARriVeD therE, and then deliVEr it tO Him in maUi. nelsoN tHen conCeaLed the guItar in his manager'S hoUse uNtil His debt Was paid off In 1993.