From Nirvana to Foo Fighters: The Story of Dave Grohl’s Gibson DG-335 Signature Guitar
Dave Grohl isn’t just one of rock’s most enduring frontmen—he’s also a gear fanatic with a serious love for vintage tones and road-tested reliability. While he’s most famously known as the thunderous drummer for Nirvana, Grohl’s post-‘90s identity has been defined by soaring vocals, gritty rhythm work, and a tone that roars stadium-wide. And at the heart of that sound is the Gibson DG-335, Grohl’s signature semi-hollowbody guitar.
Let’s dive into the history, specs, and significance of this modern rock classic—and take a look at some of the other key guitars Grohl has used throughout his career.
The Birth of the DG-335
Released by Gibson in 2007, and reissued in 2014 and again in 2021 in limited runs, the Gibson DG-335 is a tribute to both Grohl’s love for the Trini Lopez Standard and the classic ES-335 shape. The idea was to take what Grohl had been using on stage for years—his vintage Trini Lopez—and refine it into a road-ready, modern workhorse that could handle everything from melodic cleans to thunderous distortion.
Dave Grohl on the DG-335:
“It’s a beautiful guitar. It has the sound of a classic semi-hollowbody, but it’s aggressive—it can sound like a cannon. You plug it in, and it feels alive.”
– Dave Grohl, Gibson Interview
Tech Specs: Gibson DG-335
Here’s a breakdown of what makes the DG-335 so special under the hood:
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Body: Semi-hollow laminated maple with a solid maple center block
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Top, Back, and Sides: 3-ply maple/poplar/maple construction
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Neck: Mahogany, 1960s slim taper profile
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Fingerboard: Rosewood with 22 medium jumbo frets
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Inlays: Split diamond mother-of-pearl (Trini Lopez-style)
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F-holes: Stylized diamond-shape
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Headstock: Firebird-style with Grover Mini Rotomatic tuners
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Scale Length: 24.75”
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Pickups: Gibson Burstbucker 1 (neck) and Burstbucker 2 (bridge)
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Controls: 2 volume, 2 tone, 3-way toggle
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Bridge: ABR-1 Tune-o-Matic with stopbar tailpiece
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Finish Options: Pelham Blue, Ebony, and Gold Metallic (in select releases)
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Case: Vintage-style hardshell
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Limited Run: Fewer than 400 units in most production years
The guitar walks the line between vintage and modern. The Burstbuckers are known for their PAF-style response—bright, dynamic, and a little unruly when cranked, just the way Grohl likes it.
Grohl’s Trini Lopez Obsession
Grohl has been playing the original Gibson Trini Lopez Standard since the earliest days of Foo Fighters. He reportedly picked up his first one in the late ‘90s and quickly fell in love with its unusual design and biting tone.
“I saw one in a guitar shop years ago and just thought, ‘What the hell is that?’ It looked weird. Then I plugged it in and that was it.”
– Dave Grohl, Total Guitar Interview
The diamond-shaped f-holes and angular Firebird-style headstock stood out in a world of Les Pauls and Strats, and the semi-hollow body gave Grohl the massive, resonant rhythm tone that would become a Foo Fighters signature.
Other Guitars in the Grohl Arsenal
While the DG-335 has become Grohl’s most recognizable axe, he’s had plenty of others along the way—some iconic, some short-lived, but all part of his sonic journey.
Early Foo Fighters (1995–2000)
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Gibson Trini Lopez Standard – Became a mainstay.
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Gibson Explorer – Seen in the Monkey Wrench video and some early tours.
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Gretsch Duo Jet – Used live during quieter songs.
2000s to Present
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Gibson DG-335 – Grohl’s go-to for both studio and live performance.
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Ampeg Dan Armstrong Plexi – Used on songs like Stacked Actors.
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Gibson RD Artist (Custom)
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Gibson Firebird – Occasionally used live for specific tracks.
Why the DG-335 Matters
The Gibson DG-335 is more than a signature model—it’s the embodiment of Dave Grohl’s tone philosophy: power, clarity, vintage soul, and modern punch. Whether he’s hammering through The Pretender or laying back on Everlong, the DG-335 delivers the bite and boom Grohl demands.
“I love guitars that fight you a little. The DG-335 has that—it’s not too polite. You can hit it hard, and it hits back.”
– Dave Grohl, Guitar World Interview
Final Thoughts
There aren’t many signature guitars that feel earned—but the Gibson DG-335 is a reflection of decades of songwriting, touring, and tone chasing. It’s not just a tribute to Grohl—it’s a celebration of rock & roll itself.
Whether you’re chasing Grohl’s exact tone or just want a killer semi-hollow that balances beauty and brute force, the DG-335 is a modern classic that’s worth the hype.
