Every once in a while, a piece of music history surfaces that makes the industry stop and take notice. Right now, that piece is none other than the original prototype Gibson DG-335, hand-built at the Nashville Gibson Custom Shop for Dave Grohl. It comes housed in a custom-fitted Anvil case built to protect it on tour and beyond.
Currently listed on Reverb by Skylight Guitars on consignment, this isn’t just any signature model. This is #1 — the guitar that shaped the Foo Fighters’ sound in the mid-2000s and set the template for the limited run of DG-335s that followed.
A Guitar Years in the Making
The journey of this guitar began back in 2001 when Dave Grohl first expressed an interest in designing his own signature instrument. Drawing inspiration from his beloved 1967 Trini Lopez signature model, the project became a balancing act between Gibson’s design team, band management and Dave himself.
One of the key collaborators — and the original owner now selling the prototype — was directly involved in the design process, from refining the neck shape to selecting pickups and even insisting on a sturdier tailpiece than the Trini’s trapeze (something Grohl resisted at first). After four long years of development, the prototype DG-335 was finally completed in 2005.
A Guitar That Made History
This guitar isn’t just a collector’s piece. It’s a player. The prototype was used on Foo Fighters’ 2007 album Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace and toured extensively between 2005 and 2007 before being retired when production models arrived. Despite its history, it remains in near-perfect condition, thanks in part to its unconfirmed caretaker, Joe Beebe, the very guitar tech who worked for the band during that period.
Adding to its authenticity, the listing even includes Dave Grohl’s original “disgusting dried sweat soaked strap that was used from 2005 to 2007.” The seller describes it as a gift from “the best boss and one of the most wonderful human beings I have ever known.”
With a Reverb listing price of $300,000, this guitar’s value underscores its rarity and places it among the most coveted pieces of rock memorabilia. While not at the level of Kurt Cobain’s MTV Unplugged Martin D-18E, which sold for over $6 million, Grohl’s prototype DG-335 is in an elite tier of collectible instruments. Earlier this year, Grohl donated his personal Epiphone DG-335, autographed and inscribed with handwritten Foo Fighters lyrics from “Rescued” and “These Days,” to Julien’s Auctions to raise funds ($51,200) for LA wildfire relief.
Protected by Anvil
A guitar of this importance demands serious protection. That’s why it rides in a custom Anvil-style case, the same type of “bulletproof” ATA case trusted by touring professionals for decades. From stages to studios to global tours, Anvil has been there to ensure iconic instruments like this one arrive ready to perform.
A Seller’s Personal Connection
The Reverb listing includes a heartfelt note from the current owner, who received the guitar as a gift from a mentor and describes selling it as “an emotional endeavor.” To him, it’s a symbol of friendship, artistry and a pivotal moment in rock history.
Own a One-of-a-Kind Piece of Rock History
This isn’t simply another guitar for sale. It’s the first DG-335, played by one of rock’s most influential frontmen during a key era of Foo Fighters history. Combined with its custom Anvil case, it represents the intersection of craftsmanship, durability and music history.
For serious collectors, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
View the full listing on Reverb
Want your own custom Anvil case for your most prized guitar?
Get a quote today.
