Two legends. Two guitars. One Epic Battle.
In the red corner, the Epiphone Noel Gallagher Riviera in Dark Wine Red—smooth, stylish, and soaked in Britpop cool.
And in the blue corner, the Epiphone Dave Grohl DG-335 in Pelham Blue—loud, brash, and built to rock stadiums into the stratosphere.
Let’s settle this like guitar nerds with something to prove. Five rounds. No backing tracks. No producers. Just wood, wire, and wailing.
ROUND ONE: LOOKS THAT KILL
Noel Gallagher Riviera – Dark Wine Red
You take one look at that Dark Wine Red finish, and you’re stepping onto the Glastonbury main stage in '95. It oozes swagger. It’s the leather jacket of guitars. That classic semi-hollow silhouette, white pickguard, and block inlays scream: “I write anthems and I’m late for a BBC interview.”
Dave Grohl DG-335 – Pelham Blue
Then you turn your head and—BOOM—the DG-335 in Pelham Blue kicks down the door. Diamond f-holes, Firebird-style headstock, metallic finish shinier than your future—this thing looks like it was forged in the fiery depths of a Foo Fighters stadium rig. It doesn’t whisper; it shouts, “YEAH, I’M ON STAGE, AND YES, I’M TOO LOUD.”
Winner: Grohl takes the round. Because Pelham Blue should be illegal in some states. Too sexy.
ROUND TWO: TONE FOR DAYS
Plug it in and feel the warmth pour out like a vintage pint in a Manchester pub. This thing sings. Those Alnico Classic PRO humbuckers give you lush cleans and just enough bite to let your chords punch without snarling. It’s the kind of tone that smokes a cigarette mid-solo. Ideal for jangle, crunch, or that smooth, mid-heavy lead line you’ve been dying to use.
Now here comes Grohl with his Burstbuckers, and it’s overdrive carnage. From glassy cleans to face-melting riffs, this axe doesn’t just cut through the mix—it takes the mix outside for a stern talking-to. It’s a tone tsunami: rich mids, tight lows, and a top-end sizzle that lets every note snap like a snare drum.
Winner: Grohl edges it out again, but just barely. The DG-335 is the sonic sledgehammer your amp’s been bracing for.
ROUND THREE: VIBE CHECK
This guitar demands attention with raised eyebrows and a smirk. The Riviera is built for rhythm gods and chordal wizards. It feels like your best mate who just happens to be a rockstar. You sling it low, lean back, and suddenly you’re 30% more charismatic.
But the DG-335? This one stalks onto the stage with a toothy grin and a can of cheap beer. It’s for players who break strings with their teeth and dive into crowds without checking the floor. It doesn’t do subtle. It does full-body contact rock’n’roll.
Winner: It’s a draw. You either want to wear sunglasses indoors like Noel, or sweat through a flannel shirt like Dave. Pick your poison.
ROUND FOUR: PLAYABILITY & FEEL
That SlimTaper C neck is silky smooth. It’s the comfy old sofa of fretboards—fast when you want it, chill when you don’t. Add in that Frequensator tailpiece, and it’s got that extra bit of mojo when you lay into it. This is the kind of guitar that lets you cruise for hours.
Meanwhile, Grohl’s model sports an elliptical C neck—thicker, grippier, and ready for a fight. It’s meaty. You feel the notes ring through your fingers like thunder rolling through a canyon. This is a player’s guitar for players who dig in hard and don’t apologise.
Winner: Riviera by a hair. If we’re going by comfort and all-night playability, Noel’s neck takes the crown.
ROUND FIVE: STAGE PRESENCE
You walk on with this thing and everyone expects an iconic intro. It’s a statement piece for the understated king. Perfect for hazy clubs, massive festivals, and anything in between. You don’t need pyro when your tone is this clean.
But if you want fireworks—real fireworks—the DG-335 is your guitar-shaped firestarter. It doesn’t sit in the mix; it sits on top of the drum kit screaming “Best of You” at the top of its lungs. You wear this guitar like a battle vest.
Winner: DG-335 wins again. Stage presence? It practically is the stage.
And the Winner Is…
The Epiphone Dave Grohl DG-335—by sheer force of charisma, horsepower, and chaos potential.
But listen… the Noel Gallagher Riviera isn’t just close—it’s iconic. If your vibe is melodic, moody, and masterfully cool, that Riviera is your soulmate.
Truth is: you can’t go wrong. Either way, you’re picking up a signature guitar dripping with rock history and future riffs waiting to happen.
Come Try Them Yourself at Musicmaker
Don’t just read about it—feel the tone in your bones. Swing by 29 Exchequer Street and give both of these signature axes a test run. Strum a few chords, shred a lead, argue with your bandmates over which one’s better. We encourage it.
And yes, we stock extra strings for when you inevitably go too hard on the Grohl.
Get yourself the Dave Grohl DG-335 Here
Get the Noel Gallagher Riviera Here.
