So, how do the ES-345 replicas compare to the original? 

Both guitars are tributes to the ES-345 featured in Back to the Future. While the ES-345 wasn’t introduced until 1959, four years after the scene was set, it’s a film about time travel, so we reckon that’s probably OK. With that out of the way, let’s have a look at what the replicas offer…

Both versions of this famous cherry red ES-345 feature a semi-hollow construction with a maple centre block, mahogany necks, a 24.7” scale length, and 22-fret rosewood fingerboards. They have period-correct split parallelogram inlays with an unusual solid parallelogram at the 12th fret, something that set the original apart from most ES-345s

A pair of humbuckers, a Varitone switch, and a Bigsby make them versatile instruments. It’s a classic combination we love, and the gold finish completes the look. Both guitars also come with a Marvin Berry and the Starlighters case. There’s a lot more that could be said, of course, but you can find detailed specifications about both the Epiphone and Gibson versions elsewhere – we’re here to look at why they’re so special!

Both are limited editions: 1,985 Epiphones have been built, marking the film’s release year, along with just 88 Gibsons, a nod to the speed needed for the time machine to do its thing. The Gibson also comes with a glorious array of case candy, including replica props such as a DeLorean key! We’re sad to report there’s no time-travelling car to go with it, but the key’s a start.

Where’s the original Back to the Future guitar, and why is it so special?

Marty McFly’s guitar is special because it’s part of pop culture history. The “Enchantment Under the Sea” dance is one of those iconic ’80s movie moments we’ve all seen, and it stood out mainly thanks to Marty’s performance of “Johnny B Goode”. While the guitar was an anachronism, it perfectly encapsulated the ‘50s vibe that the scene needed. It undoubtedly sold a lot of semi-hollow guitars!

The original guitar was a 1960 or 1961 model rented from Norman’s Rare Guitars in Tarzana, California, making it one of the earliest ES-345s. For Back to the Future 2, the team went looking for the guitar, only to find that Norman’s no longer had it. A replacement was found for the film, complete with unusual 12th fret inlay, and that was the end of the matter… until Gibson announced their Lost to the Future campaign.

The Gibson team has been asking musicians and film fans worldwide to pass on any information they have regarding the guitar and its travels since 1985, even setting up a dedicated website for the search. So far, it hasn’t turned up, but the team has located the guitar used in Back to the Future 2. It may not be quite as iconic, but it’ll certainly save the team a job if they want to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the sequel in 2029!

Clip from Back to the Future (1985) via Universal Pictures on YouTube

FAQs

Did Michael J. Fox play guitar in Back to the Future?

Michael J. Fox didn’t play the guitar for Back to the Future’s “Enchantment Under the Sea” dance scene. He learnt to play for the film, so he could match his performance to the recorded guitar part, but it was actually played by the musician Tim May.

What is the difference between the ES-335 and ES-345?

The ES-345 was released as an updated and upgraded version of the ES-335. The 335 is mono, where the 345 has a stereo pickup configuration, allowing players to split the pickups’ signals. The ES-345 also features the Varitone circuit for access to a range of different sounds.

How does a Varitone switch work?

A Varitone switch controls a notch filter that reduces frequencies at set points of the spectrum, like turning down a frequency band on an EQ pedal. The Varitone circuit has six settings, five of which reduce specific frequencies by set amounts, with the first position bypassing the circuit.

A guitar worth travelling through time for

It’s fair to say that the film is a classic, and these limited-edition Back to the Future guitars do it justice, as well as showing us what Gibson and Epiphone can do. Hopefully the original will be found eventually, but for now these are the best we have – and they’re very, very good.

Now we just need someone to build the amp Marty uses in the opening titles, and we’ve got the ultimate ‘80s rig…