Marty McFly introduced rock and roll to an unsuspecting crowd, ripping out Johnny B. Goode on guitar before its popularity. Now, Gibson and Epiphone have released limited-edition ES-345 guitars inspired by the iconic scene.
Back to the Future fans, this is for you.
Gibson and Epiphone have released limited-edition ES-345 guitars inspired by the iconic instrument Marty McFly grabbed in Back to the Future. You remember the scene – it’s 1955 and Chuck Berry’s cousin Marvin is on the phone, and a time-travelling teenager is about to accidentally invent rock and roll with “Johnny B. Goode.”
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Gibson Custom’s “1955” ES-345 Collector’s Edition is limited to just 88 pieces worldwide – a nod to the film’s time-travelling speed – with only one available in Australia. Every detail has been reverse-engineered from 1950s specs, right down to the rare single parallelogram inlay at the 12th fret that appeared on the film-used model.
Built with a thinline, three-ply maple-poplar-maple body and solid maple centerblock, the guitar delivers enhanced sustain and reduced feedback. The mahogany neck features hide glue joinery with a long tenon, sporting a 1961 Authentic Thin D-Shape profile and a bound rosewood fretboard with 22 medium jumbo frets.
Two unpotted Gibson Custombucker pickups with Alnico 3 magnets provide the tonal range, while the hand-stained Cherry Red finish recreates the original aesthetic. Each guitar ships in a Lifton hardshell case adorned with Marvin Berry and The Starlighters graphics, complete with curated case candy. Handcrafted by the Gibson Custom Shop in Nashville, Tennessee, it arrives mid-November 2025.
For those wanting the look without the eye-watering collector’s price, Epiphone’s Back to the Future ES-345 is limited to 1985 units worldwide, with 18 available in Australia from early November 2025.
The Epiphone version features a five-ply layered maple semi-hollowbody with a solid maple centre block for sustain and feedback resistance. Four-ply binding on the top and single-ply on the back frame the Cherry Red finish, while the mahogany neck’s comfortable Rounded C profile is topped with a single-ply bound rosewood fretboard. Pearloid split parallelogram inlays mark the ES-345’s signature aesthetic, and a Hill Valley Music store decal on the headstock back references the film.
Two Alnico Classic PRO pickups with individual volume and tone controls handle the electronics, and it ships in a vintage-style hardshell case with Marvin Berry and the Starlighters graphics.
Both guitars let you own a piece of iconic film history, whether you’re a serious collector or just a fan who’s always wanted to play “Johnny B. Goode” on the right axe. Just maybe go easier on the amp than Marty did.
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