One of only 88 limited editions. The guitar that made many young boys and girls in the eighties want to learn to play guitar. It is just iconic! In a pivotal scene from Back to the Future, a Gibson guitar played a starring role—not just in the film, but in music history. Though the movie’s high school dance takes place in 1955, the guitar used was a Gibson ES-345, a model originally introduced in 1959. Supplied by Norman Harris of Norman’s Rare Guitars, the Cherry Red ES-345 may not have been period-correct, but its visual appeal and sonic character made it the perfect choice for the unforgettable “Enchantment Under the Sea” sequence.

Today, Gibson Custom proudly unveils the Back to the Future 1955 ES-345 Collector’s Edition—a masterfully crafted homage to the guitar that bridged generations. Built with a thinline, three-ply maple-poplar-maple body and a solid maple center block for enhanced sustain and reduced feedback, this instrument is as visually striking as it is tonally rich. The mahogany neck, joined with hide glue and featuring a long tenon, has a 1961 Authentic Thin D-Shape profile and a bound rosewood fretboard with 22 medium jumbo frets. True to the rare design of the film-used guitar, it features a single parallelogram inlay at the 12th fret—an exclusive detail for this model.

Equipped with a pair of unpotted Gibson Custom humbuckers, each wired to individual volume and tone controls using CTS potentiometers and paper-in-oil capacitors, the ES-345 offers a wide tonal palette. A mono Varitone switch adds even more flexibility, while aged gold hardware, a Bigsby B7 vibrato, and Black Top Hat knobs with gold reflectors complete the classic ES-345 aesthetic. Finished in hand-stained Cherry Red and aged by the Murphy Lab, each guitar captures the character and soul of the original, right down to the Hill Valley Music Store decal on the back of the headstock.

Handcrafted by the Gibson Custom Shop in Nashville, Tennessee, this limited-edition model is a true collector’s piece. Only 88 guitars will be produced worldwide, making it a timeless tribute to both Gibson’s craftsmanship and one of cinema’s most unforgettable musical moments.