The Gibson Chris Cornell ES-335 Tribute in Olive Drab Green is an exceptionally distinctive limited-edition semi-hollow created in honour of the Soundgarden and Audioslave frontman. Produced as a run of only 250 guitars, this is the particularly early number 7 of 250.

Built around Gibson's legendary ES-335 platform, the Cornell Tribute combines a maple/poplar/maple semi-hollow body and maple centre block with a quarter-sawn mahogany neck, dark rosewood fingerboard, aged Lollartron humbuckers and Bigsby B-7 vibrato.

The unusual satin Olive Drab finish, VOS nickel hardware, clear unnumbered Top Hat knobs and Chris Cornell signature headstock inlay give the model an identity that is immediately different from a conventional ES-335.

This Pre-Owned example is offered in Mint condition and includes a hardcase.

At A Glance

Key Detail	Information
Brand	Gibson
Model	Chris Cornell ES-335 Tribute
Year	2019
Finish	Olive Drab Green
Limited Edition	Number 7 of 250
Condition	Pre-Owned, Mint
Included	Hardcase
Main Appeal	Highly limited Chris Cornell signature ES-335 with Lollartrons and Bigsby
Best For	Collectors, Soundgarden fans, alternative rock, grunge, rock and studio use

Pre-Owned Condition Report

Mint Condition

This Gibson Chris Cornell ES-335 Tribute is offered in Mint condition.

Mint condition reflects an exceptionally clean Pre-Owned instrument with minimal evidence of previous ownership and a presentation very close to a carefully preserved example.

Its position as number 7 of the 250-piece production run adds particular appeal for collectors and enthusiasts seeking an early-number example of this limited Gibson Artist model.

No faults, repairs or modifications have been supplied for this listing.

What’s Included?

✔ Gibson Chris Cornell ES-335 Tribute Olive Drab Green
✔ Hardcase

✘ No Additional Accessories Included

Condition Notes

This Chris Cornell ES-335 Tribute has been graded Mint, making it particularly appealing for a limited-production artist model where originality, presentation and overall preservation are important considerations.

Fair Deal Quality Control Assessment

This Pre-Owned Gibson Chris Cornell ES-335 Tribute has been inspected and assessed by the Fair Deal Music team before sale.

Our checks include:

• Both Lollartron pickups tested
• Three-way pickup selector checked
• Individual volume and tone controls tested
• Output socket checked
• Bigsby B-7 operation assessed
• Tune-O-Matic bridge checked
• Grover tuners inspected
• Frets inspected
• Rosewood fingerboard assessed
• Neck condition checked
• Hardware inspected
• Tuning stability assessed
• Overall playability checked
• Hardcase checked for basic usability

Service / Setup Work

All Pre-Owned electric guitars at Fair Deal Music are set up and checked before leaving the shop.

Our assessment includes:

• Action checked
• Neck relief checked
• Frets inspected
• Intonation checked
• Tuning stability checked
• Electronics tested
• Pickup output checked
• Bigsby operation assessed
• Bridge setup checked
• General playability assessed

Please note that guitar setup can shift slightly during delivery because changes in temperature and humidity can naturally affect wooden instruments in transit.

Why Choose The Gibson Chris Cornell ES-335 Tribute?

Limited To 250 Guitars

With only 250 Olive Drab Tribute models produced, this is considerably less common than a standard production ES-335, while its 7 of 250 numbering gives this example additional early-run appeal.

Aged Lollartron Humbuckers

The Lollartron pickups give the Cornell Tribute a different voice from the conventional Gibson humbuckers normally associated with an ES-335, combining humbucker fullness with extra clarity, attack and definition.

Bigsby B-7 Vibrato

The factory Bigsby B-7 adds expressive pitch movement and forms a major part of the guitar's visual identity, complementing the semi-hollow format particularly well.

Distinctive Olive Drab Styling

Satin Olive Drab Green, aged nickel hardware and clear unnumbered controls give the guitar a deliberately understated, utilitarian character that stands apart from traditional Cherry, Sunburst or Natural ES-335 finishes.

Genuine Chris Cornell Artist Specification

This was not simply an ES-335 with Cornell's name attached: Gibson's collaboration incorporated unusual pickups, controls, hardware and styling influenced by Cornell's own preferences.

Comparison Against Popular Alternatives

Chris Cornell ES-335 Tribute vs Standard Gibson ES-335

A standard ES-335 is better suited to players wanting traditional Gibson humbuckers and familiar styling, while the Cornell Tribute offers Lollartrons, Bigsby vibrato, unusual cosmetics and genuine limited-edition artist provenance.

Chris Cornell ES-335 Tribute vs 2013 Chris Cornell Artist Model

The 2019 Tribute revisited the specification developed with Cornell for his earlier Artist model, with the Tribute adding the mother-of-pearl Chris Cornell signature headstock inlay and being produced as a dedicated 250-piece commemorative run.

Chris Cornell ES-335 Tribute vs Gretsch Centre Block

A Gretsch centre-block guitar offers a similarly articulate alternative to conventional full-size humbuckers, but the Cornell Tribute combines that clearer pickup character with Gibson's established ES-335 construction and feel.

Chris Cornell ES-335 Tribute vs Gibson ES-335 With Bigsby

A regular Bigsby-equipped ES-335 provides the familiar Gibson semi-hollow experience with vibrato, while the Cornell Tribute adds its unusual Lollartron electronics, Olive Drab presentation and limited Chris Cornell association.

Who Is It For?

Chris Cornell And Soundgarden Fans

Few artist models connect so directly with a recognisable musical figure while remaining a genuinely individual guitar design, making this an obvious proposition for serious Cornell enthusiasts.

Alternative And Rock Guitarists

The combination of semi-hollow resonance, articulate humbuckers and Bigsby vibrato works particularly well for alternative rock, grunge, atmospheric guitar parts and heavier rhythm sounds.

Collectors

The 250-piece production run, distinctive specification and 7 of 250 numbering make this considerably more collectable than a regular production ES-335.

Studio Guitarists

The Lollartrons provide a different tonal character from conventional Gibson humbuckers, making this useful for creating semi-hollow textures that retain clarity within layered arrangements.

Players Looking For An Unusual Gibson

For someone who likes the fundamental ES-335 format but wants something significantly less conventional, the Cornell Tribute offers real differences rather than simply a special finish.

Suitable Genres And Uses

• Alternative rock
• Grunge
• Hard rock
• Classic rock
• Blues
• Indie
• Atmospheric guitar
• Rhythm guitar
• Lead guitar
• Effects-heavy setups
• Studio recording
• Live performance
• Artist guitar collections
• Limited-edition Gibson collections

What Makes Lollartron Pickups Different?

The Lollartrons use a humbucking design influenced by the clearer and more focused pickup sounds associated with classic Filter'Tron-style instruments. Compared with many traditional full-size humbuckers, they can provide greater note separation and a more immediate attack while retaining the noise-cancelling benefits of a dual-coil pickup.

That makes them an especially interesting match for a semi-hollow guitar. Chords remain articulate, cleaner parts retain definition and driven sounds can cut through without simply becoming thicker, giving the Cornell model a noticeably different personality from a conventional ES-335.

Looking for advice on choosing the right Gibson ES-335, Chris Cornell signature guitar or collectable Pre-Owned Gibson? Our experienced team of musicians can help by phone, online or in-store.

Story & Context: Gibson Chris Cornell ES-335 Tribute

Chris Cornell was best known as the voice of Soundgarden and later Audioslave, becoming one of the defining vocalists and songwriters associated with the alternative-rock movement that emerged from Seattle.

Gibson had worked directly with Cornell on an earlier Chris Cornell ES-335 Artist Model. Rather than creating a conventional signature guitar, the collaboration introduced unusual choices including Lollartron pickups, clear unnumbered controls and Olive Drab styling, giving Cornell's ES-335 a look and sound noticeably removed from standard production versions.

Following Cornell's death in 2017, Gibson revisited the design as the Chris Cornell ES-335 Tribute. The guitar was unveiled in connection with the I Am The Highway: A Tribute to Chris Cornell concert in January 2019 before its wider release later that year.

Only 250 Olive Drab Green Tribute guitars were produced. The model retained the aged Lollartrons, Bigsby vibrato and unconventional control styling while adding a mother-of-pearl Chris Cornell signature inlay to the headstock. As number 7 of 250, this individual guitar sits extremely early within that limited production run.

Technical Specifications

Specification	Details
Product Type	Semi-Hollow Electric Guitar
Brand	Gibson
Model	Chris Cornell ES-335 Tribute
Year	2019
Limited Edition	7 of 250
Finish	Olive Drab Green
Finish Type	Satin Nitrocellulose Lacquer
Top	3-Ply Maple / Poplar / Maple
Back	3-Ply Maple / Poplar / Maple
Bracing	Spruce
Centre Block	Maple
Body Binding	Cream
Neck Material	Quarter-Sawn Mahogany
Neck Profile	Rounded C
Fingerboard Material	Dark Rosewood
Fingerboard Radius	12"
Scale Length	24.75"
Number of Frets	22
Fret Type	Medium Jumbo
Fingerboard Inlays	Pearloid Dots
Nut Material	Bone
Nut Width	1.687"
Pickup Configuration	HH
Neck Pickup	Aged Lollartron
Bridge Pickup	Aged Lollartron
Electronics	Passive
Controls	2 Volume, 2 Tone
Pickup Selector	3-Way Toggle
Pots	500K
Capacitors	Orange Drop
Bridge	Tune-O-Matic
Tailpiece	Bigsby B-7
Tuning Machines	Grover Rotomatic
Hardware Finish	VOS Nickel
Pickguard	5-Ply Black
Control Knobs	Clear No-Number Top Hats
Headstock Detail	Mother-of-Pearl Chris Cornell Signature Inlay
Condition	Pre-Owned, Mint

Power Requirements

No battery or external power supply is required for the Chris Cornell ES-335 Tribute's passive electronics.

Connect the guitar to a suitable amplifier, pedalboard, modeller or audio interface using a standard 1/4" instrument cable.

Why Buy Pre-Owned From Fair Deal Music?

Buying Pre-Owned is often the only realistic way to access limited artist models once their original production run has ended.

With a guitar such as the Chris Cornell ES-335 Tribute, the individual example matters enormously. Condition, originality and limited-edition numbering can all be important considerations alongside how the guitar actually plays and sounds.

At Fair Deal Music, our Pre-Owned guitars are individually checked and assessed before sale, helping customers buy rare, collectable and discontinued instruments with greater confidence.

Fair Deal Music Verdict

★★★★★ 5/5

The Gibson Chris Cornell ES-335 Tribute Olive Drab Green is far more than a cosmetic artist edition. The aged Lollartrons, Bigsby B-7, unconventional controls and distinctive finish give it a genuine personality of its own, while the ES-335 foundation keeps it highly usable as a serious musical instrument.

The combination of Mint condition and number 7 of only 250 produced makes this example especially attractive for a collector, but the specification is strong enough that it deserves to be played rather than considered purely as memorabilia.

Best suited for: Chris Cornell enthusiasts, Gibson collectors and rock or alternative players wanting an unusual premium semi-hollow.

Customers usually upgrade from: Standard production ES-style guitars, conventional Gibson ES-335 models and premium semi-hollow instruments.

Most commonly paired with: Valve amplifiers, overdrive and fuzz pedals, modulation, delay and reverb.

Our tip: The Lollartron pickups are central to the character of this model. Explore cleaner and edge-of-breakup amplifier settings before reaching for heavy gain; the extra clarity is one of the guitar's biggest strengths.

Showroom feedback: The limited production is important, but what makes the Cornell Tribute particularly compelling is that its unusual specification creates a genuinely different playing and tonal experience from a standard ES-335.

Why Buy From Fair Deal Music?

When you buy from Fair Deal Music, you're choosing one of the UK's most established, independent family run music retailers since 1987.

From our Birmingham showroom, our knowledgeable musician-led team helps players find the right equipment whether they're purchasing their first serious instrument, upgrading an existing setup or searching for something rare and distinctive within the Pre-Owned market.

When you shop with Fair Deal Music, you can buy with confidence thanks to:

• Expert advice from knowledgeable musicians
• Carefully checked new and Pre-Owned musical equipment
• Decades of experience buying and selling guitars
• Large Birmingham showroom
• Secure online ordering
• UK delivery
• Friendly support before and after purchase
• Extensive experience with rare, collectable and Pre-Owned instruments

For a limited-edition guitar such as this Chris Cornell ES-335 Tribute 7 of 250, our team can also help with questions about condition, playing feel and whether it is the right addition to your collection or working setup.

Trade In. Trade Up. Save More.

Thinking about upgrading? Your next piece of gear could cost less than you think.

We're always happy to consider part exchanges and trade-ins on a wide range of musical instruments and equipment. Whether you're looking to upgrade your guitar, amplifier, keyboard, drum kit or studio gear, your existing equipment could help reduce the cost of your next purchase.

Simply get in touch with our team for a no-obligation valuation, and we'll be happy to discuss the options available.

It's an easy way to unlock the value of gear you no longer use while making your next instrument more affordable.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Chris Cornell ES-335 suitable for higher-gain guitar sounds?

Yes. Its centre-block semi-hollow construction and Lollartron humbuckers work well with overdrive and distortion, although amplifier position and volume can influence feedback at extreme gain levels.

How does the Bigsby affect the playing experience?

The Bigsby B-7 is designed for expressive vibrato rather than extreme pitch changes. It works particularly well for subtle chord movement, atmospheric textures and gentle pitch modulation.

What string gauge suits this guitar?

Gibson originally specified a .010–.046 set, which is an excellent all-round starting point for the 24.75" scale and Bigsby-equipped setup.

Can the guitar be used with modern pedals and amp modellers?

Yes. Its passive output is compatible with traditional guitar amplifiers, pedalboards, multi-effects processors, modelling systems and suitable recording interfaces.

How should the satin nitrocellulose finish be cared for?

Use products specifically suitable for nitrocellulose-finished guitars and avoid prolonged contact with reactive rubber, plastics or unsuitable guitar stands. Stable temperature and humidity are particularly sensible for a premium semi-hollow instrument.

Can I request a closer look before purchasing?

Yes. For a rare limited-edition instrument such as this, our Request a Video Demo option is particularly useful if you would like a closer look before making your decision.