Gibson celebrates Back to the Future’s 40th anniversary with limited-edition ES-345 guitars
NASHVILLE, TN – One of film’s most iconic guitars is traveling through time once again. To celebrate the 40th anniversary of Back to the Future, Gibson has unveiled the Back to the Future Collection, a limited-edition line that pays tribute to the legendary Gibson ES-345™ Cherry Red guitar that starred alongside Michael J. Fox in the 1985 classic.
Launched in partnership with Universal Products and Experiences, the new Gibson collection features two special ES-345 models—one from Gibson Custom and another from Epiphone—along with an exclusive apparel and accessories line inspired by the film. Fans can view the full lineup at Gibson Garage locations in Nashville and London, or online via Gibson.com.
Gibson’s time-traveling tribute to an icon
Earlier this year, Gibson and Michael J. Fox began a global “Lost to the Future” campaign, searching for the original ES-345 Cherry Red guitar used by Fox during the unforgettable “Enchantment Under the Sea” dance scene. Despite countless fan tips and ongoing investigations, the guitar’s true whereabouts remain a mystery.
“Bringing this guitar to life has been a passion project for many years,” said Mark Agnesi, Gibson’s Director of Brand Experience. “We couldn’t be prouder of how these guitars turned out—they’re truly special. This is the guitar that inspired me, and countless others from my generation, to pick up playing in the first place.”
The highlight of the collection, the Back to the Future 1955 ES-345 Collector’s Edition from Gibson Custom, is limited to only 88 units worldwide—a nod to the film’s time-traveling DeLorean. Each model features a Cherry Red finish, meticulous 1950s specs, and hand-wired Custombucker pickups. The guitar’s craftsmanship includes a maple-poplar-maple body, a mahogany neck with a 1961 Thin D-Shape profile, and aged gold hardware, all handcrafted at Gibson’s Nashville Custom Shop. Every unit comes in a Lifton hardshell case adorned with Marvin Berry and the Starlighters graphics and exclusive memorabilia.
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Epiphone and apparel bring the collection to fans
For fans seeking a more accessible piece of movie and music history, the Epiphone Back to the Future ES-345 offers a faithful recreation of Marty McFly’s guitar. Limited to 1,985 pieces—a nod to the film’s release year—the Epiphone model features a five-ply maple semi-hollow body, Alnico Classic PRO™ pickups, and gold hardware with a Bigsby® B70 vibrato tailpiece.
Each Epiphone guitar includes unique touches like the Hill Valley Music store decal on the headstock’s back, a vintage-style case, and Marvin Berry and the Starlighters graphics.
Complementing the guitars is the Back to the Future Apparel Collection, a range of film-inspired merchandise including T-shirts, hats, guitar pick tins, straps, and AXE Heaven mini guitars—each designed for fans eager to celebrate the film’s timeless connection to music.
As Back to the Future Day (October 21) honors one of cinema’s most beloved stories, Gibson’s new collection ensures the legacy of Marty McFly’s guitar—and the spirit of rock ‘n’ roll time travel—continues to inspire generations to come.
