Gibson seeks chronlogically incorrect instrument

[Willie G. Moseley]

Pointing out that the Gibson  ES-345TDC Marty McFly played in  Back To The Future is chronologically incorrect is part of the legend and whimsy of the film.

When McFly went ape-**** at the end of "Johnny B. Goode", for a split-second you just knew everybody was gonna stop and stare, and that's exactly how it went down. For me,it was an all-time favorite movie yock. 

Now, the guitar mfr. is seeking to find the exact guitar thar was used in that scene.

I'm gonna go back and watch this promo video again, because Got-Taw-Mitey, Lea Thompson looks better than ever.

 

Edited June 4, 2025 by Willie G. Moseley

[Steve Haynie]

I wonder if they have the guitar, and this is all hype-building.  

[cmatthes]

I thought that the 345 used in that movie was on loan from Norm's?

[velorush]

Came here to post that very thing. @Willie G. Moseley beat me to it. 

1 hour ago, cmatthes said:

I thought that the 345 used in that movie was on loan from Norm's?

I thought that was expressly stated in the Netflix documentary. Norm's lost it? Unlikely? 

ETA: Google AI confirms it (FWIW):

The iconic cherry red Gibson ES-345 guitar used in the movie Back to the Future was borrowed from Norman's Rare Guitars in Los Angeles. Norman Harris, the owner of Norman's, initially warned the filmmakers that the ES-345 was not the correct instrument for the 1955 setting of the movie, as it was released in 1958. Despite this, the filmmakers chose to use the ES-345 for its look, as they wanted a slimmer and more streamlined guitar. 

The guitar's iconic status has led to a global search by Gibson to find it, as it was lost after the film's production. A documentary, "Lost to the Future"., is also being produced to celebrate the movie's 40th anniversary and document the search for the guitar. The ES-345's unique features, such as the solid parallelogram inlays at the 12th fret and a custom-ordered or factory second, are being used to help identify it if it's found. 

Edited June 3, 2025 by velorush

[bruce919]

Its hiding alongside the Beno-Burst in Dubai 

[ARM OF HAMER]

                                                                                   It's at Dirk Ziffs house along with "BEANO".😉

[soli'd]

Makes one wonder what the countdown is signifying... Either a reissue release, or the guitar has already been found and there will be some sort of feature documentary released then?  I do kinda dig how the guitar is doing the fading-in-and-out-of-existence thing on this webpage...

https://www.losttothefuture.com/

[kizanski]

18 minutes ago, soli'd said:

Either a reissue release, or the guitar has already been found and there will be some sort of feature documentary released then? 

 This \/

On 6/3/2025 at 1:06 PM, Steve Haynie said:

I wonder if they have the guitar, and this is all hype-building.  

 

[beezerboy]

yeah yeah... I got it.... its in my pile over here somewhere...... gimme a minute...

[crunchee]

More of the same info, with (maybe) a bit more detail:

Gibson launches hunt for the 'Back to the Future' guitar that inspired John Mayer and Coldplay's Chris Martin

[velorush]

Update: they still don't have it (wink wink nudge nudge):

Never noticed the solid 12th fret marker.

[Steve Haynie]

The suspense... >yawn< is killing me.

[hamerican gigolo]

On 7/7/2025 at 7:56 PM, velorush said:

Update: they still don't have it (wink wink nudge nudge):

Never noticed the solid 12th fret marker.

Yeah, right... 🙄

[velorush]

Well this was completely unexpected:

Quoting:

Marty McFly’s “Johnny B. Goode” moment in Back to the Future made history with the help of a Gibson ES-345… a guitar that wouldn’t even exist until 1959, four years after he stunned the crowd at the “Enchantment Under the Sea” dance. A guitar ahead of its time for a performance that inspired generations.

Now, in the present day 2025, we are excited to announce the Back to the Future “1955” ES-345 Collector’s Edition, the Epiphone Back to the Future ES-345, and the Back to the Future merch collection. (emphasis mine)

Limited to just 88 pieces—a nod to the film’s time-traveling speed—the Collector’s Edition is handcrafted by the Gibson Custom Shop in Nashville, Tennessee. Every detail, from the reverse-engineered 1950s specs to the hand-stained Cherry Red finish, has been meticulously recreated.

 

I have to admit, the swag is pretty novel:

 

[Travis]

9 minutes ago, velorush said:

Well this was completely unexpected:

Quoting:

Marty McFly’s “Johnny B. Goode” moment in Back to the Future made history with the help of a Gibson ES-345… a guitar that wouldn’t even exist until 1959, four years after he stunned the crowd at the “Enchantment Under the Sea” dance. A guitar ahead of its time for a performance that inspired generations.

Now, in the present day 2025, we are excited to announce the Back to the Future “1955” ES-345 Collector’s Edition, the Epiphone Back to the Future ES-345, and the Back to the Future merch collection. (emphasis mine)

Limited to just 88 pieces—a nod to the film’s time-traveling speed—the Collector’s Edition is handcrafted by the Gibson Custom Shop in Nashville, Tennessee. Every detail, from the reverse-engineered 1950s specs to the hand-stained Cherry Red finish, has been meticulously recreated.

 

I have to admit, the swag is pretty novel:

 

The flux capacitor inside the case is a nice touch. 

[bruce919]

[kizanski]

So lame and predictable.  

Honestly.  Who's clamoring for one of these? 

[Steve Haynie]

6 minutes ago, kizanski said:

So lame and predictable.  

Honestly.  Who's clamoring for one of these? 

Obviously, Gibson is counting on 88 people worldwide (out of billions) to order these.  

[kizanski]

22 minutes ago, Steve Haynie said:

Obviously, Gibson is counting on 88 people worldwide (out of billions) to order these.  

Biff should give every one of them a punch in the head.  

[Hbom]

Dave's Guitar says they sold one for $19999.00. Only 87 left. Better hurry if you want one.

 

Edited October 21, 2025 by Hbom
clarity

[kizanski]

13 hours ago, Hbom said:

Dave's Guitar says they sold one for $19999.00.

At least the buyer didn't pay 20 grand. 

That would have been stupid.  

[Disturber]

19 hours ago, Travis said:

The flux capacitor inside the case is a nice touch. 

Yeah, it really takes you back to the 80's.

[crunchee]

...though they DID find the ES-345 used in the second BTTF movie:

Gibson finds Back to the Future Part Two ES-345 | Guitar World

Anyway, since when would that stop a marketing campaign?  

Gibson & Epiphone Honor Back to the Future's 40th Anniversary! - Premier Guitar

Gibson Back to the Future Collection

For some reason, a certain quote from P.T. Barnum comes to mind....

Edited October 22, 2025 by crunchee

[Steve Haynie]

The flux capacitor is what makes the guitar so expensive.  

So, how much would Gibson charge for an ES-345 with a regular case and no accessories?  

[santellavision]

$20K? But, the case is pretty cool though.

Edited October 22, 2025 by santellavision