Gibson Custom and Epiphone celebrate 40 years of Back to the Future with two tributes to one of cinema’s most iconic guitars.
In the 1985 movie smash, Back to the Future, Marty McFly (Michael J. Fox) launches into a time-bending performance of “Johnny B. Goode”—fusing licks by Chuck Berry, Jimi Hendrix and Eddie Van Halen—at a 1955 school dance, themed “Enchantment Under the Sea.” His guitar was a Cherry Red Gibson ES-345.
The actual movie guitar has long since vanished—there’s still an ongoing search for it—but Gibson and Epiphone have produced an accurate replica for players and collectors alike.
“Lots of people on the Gibson team—from Cesar Gueikian to Mat Koehler and others—have wanted to make this guitar for years,” says Mark Agnesi, Gibson’s Director of Brand Experience. “The timing was right to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Back to the Future with these ES-345 guitars—one from the Gibson Custom Shop and one from Epiphone. In actual fact, the ES-345 didn’t exist in 1955, but it appeared in the film because the filmmakers wanted a Chuck Berry homage. Out of respect for that creative choice, we decided to name the guitar the ‘1955’ ES-345.”
Gibson Custom Back to the Future "1955" ES-345 Collector's Edition
Handcrafted by the Gibson Custom Shop in Nashville, the Back to the Future “1955” ES-345 Collector’s Edition is a meticulous recreation of Marty’s guitar—including a collectible kit packed with Back to the Future memorabilia: a miniature flux capacitor, Marty McFly picks, Casio watch, DeLorean keys and commemorative posters.
Pictured: Gibson Custom Back to the Future "1955" ES-345 in Cherry Red [SOLD OUT]
Key Specs
- Finish: Cherry Red
- Body: 3-ply maple/poplar/maple with solid maple center block
- Binding: 3-ply top, single-ply back and fretboard
- Neck: Mahogany, 1961 Authentic Thin D shape
- Fingerboard: Rosewood, 24.75" scale, 22 frets
- Pickups: Dual unpotted Custombucker Alnico 3 humbuckers
- Controls: Two volume, two tone (CTS 500k), paper-in-oil caps, 6-position mono Varitone
- Hardware: ABR-1 no-wire bridge, Bigsby ’59 B7 vibrato tailpiece, Kluson tuners, aged gold plating
- Case: Lifton hardshell with Marvin Berry and The Starlighters graphics
- Edition: Limited to 88 pieces
Epiphone Back to the Future ES-345
For players who want the same look, feel and vibe at an attainable price, Epiphone’s Back to the Future ES-345 hits the sweet spot between tribute and playability.
Pictured: Epiphone Back to the Future ES-345 in Cherry Red
Key Specs
- Finish: Cherry Red
- Body: 5-ply layered maple with spruce bracing and solid maple center block
- Binding: 4-ply top, single-ply back and fretboard
- Neck: Mahogany, rounded C profile
- Fingerboard: Rosewood, 24.75" scale, 22 frets
- Pickups: Dual Alnico Classic PRO humbuckers
- Controls: Two volume, Two tone with mono Varitone switch
- Hardware: LockTone Tune-O-Matic bridge, Bigsby B70 vibrato, Epiphone Deluxe tuners, gold plating
- Case: Vintage-style hardshell with Marvin Berry and The Starlighters graphics
- Edition: Limited to 1,985 pieces
Collect a Piece of Movie and Music History
“I saw the movie when I was about six years old, and it completely changed everything,” Agnesi recalls. “I fell in love with guitars, and years later, I’m still on the ‘guitars are the only things that matter’ path. The 40th anniversary of Back to the Future is a beautiful time to commemorate the guitar that meant so much to not only me, but a whole lot of other guitar players from my generation.”