Where Is The Back To The Future Missing Gibson ES-345?
Lost To The Future - Where is McFly's Gibson ES-345?
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Where Is The Back To The Future Missing Gibson ES-345? · Source: Lost To The Future/Gibson
Gibson has launched a search for the missing Marty McFly Gibson ES-345 from the Back To The Future film series. The guitar has been missing for 40 years, and now they have started the quest to track down this iconic red guitar.
Back To The Future Gibson ES-345
For generations of guitarists, the image of Marty McFly shredding “Johnny B. Goode” on a cherry red Gibson ES-345 in Back to the Future is nothing short of legendary.
This iconic scene, often cited by musicians as their inspiration for taking up playing the guitar, featured a red semi-hollow guitar that transcended its role as a mere prop to become a symbol of rock and roll inspiration.
Gibson ES-345
The iconic red Gibson ES-345 played by Marty McFly in Back to the Future has been missing for four decades.
Its disappearance is the central focus of a new documentary, “Lost to the Future.” Coinciding with the film’s 40th anniversary, the documentary will chronicle the global search for this legendary instrument, exploring “long forgotten film prop warehouses, fascinating vintage guitar shops, auction houses, and shadowy back alleys.”
The film will feature interviews with Michael J. Fox, Lea Thompson, Christopher Lloyd, Harry Waters Jr., Huey Lewis, and creator/screenwriter Bob Gale. It will also include musicians who were inspired by McFly’s famous “Johnny B. Goode” performance.
Ironically, the ES-345 model used in the 1955-set scene wasn’t launched until 1958.
The guitar was rented from renowned vintage instrument dealer Norman Harris and is central to Marty McFly’s iconic “Johnny B. Goode” performance. Yet, despite its cinematic significance, the instrument hasn’t been seen since.
Lost to the Future
Now, the filmmakers behind this beloved cinematic moment are embarking on a global quest to find what many consider the most important guitar in cinema history. With a little help from Gibson and the original cast of the film, who have created the ‘Lost to the Future’ promo video above to help promote the search for this iconic guitar.
This ambitious search will not only aim to uncover clues about the instrument’s disappearance but also delve into the enduring legacy of that unforgettable scene, which ignited a passion for the guitar for many people around the world.
“Where we’re going, we don’t need roads—just clues,” stated a representative for the search effort, echoing a famous line from the film. The team is calling on fans, collectors, and anyone with potential knowledge to come forward.
I love the image of the DeLorean with the Gibson number plate on the promo site. A nice touch. Unfortunately, they don’t appear to have a serial number or any more clues about the Cherry Red Gibson ES-345, which is missing.
Do You Have Any Leads?
Do you have any information about the missing original Gibson ES-345? Or are you eager to follow along as discoveries are made? Or have you got the guitar stashed under your bed?
You can join the journey by clicking the link provided by the filmmakers below or by calling 1-855-345-1955 to submit your tips.
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9 responses to “Where Is The Back To The Future Missing Gibson ES-345?”
For ‘generations’ of guitarists?
‘Often’ cited by musicians as their inspiration for taking up playing the guitar?
I think you’re overdoing the hyperbole there, Jef. I would love to see evidence of these claims.
Yes, it’s a well-known film scene, but I strongly suspect it’s real world effect on real world musicians (or wannabe musicians) is a lot less than you – and no doubt Gibson – want us to believe!
It was Back To The Future or Crossroads for most of my peers when we were kids.
Jef’s guitar heroes are fictional characters Marty McFly and Eugene Martone. What’s weird about that? He learned his best licks from Josie and the Pussycats. His bass playing buddies stole all their riffs from Leather Tuscadero. His favorite band ever is the Banana Splits. Don’t hate on him for that.
I am morbidly curious to see which musicians will show up to say Marty Mcfly was their musical inspiration.
Jack Butler for the win! (No one wanted to be Eugene). Banana Splits 100%, and another early influence for me would also have been The Monkees.
Try reading John Mayer’s Wikipedia page for a good example. Excerpt here “After watching Michael J. Fox’s guitar performance as Marty McFly in Back to the Future, Mayer became fascinated with the instrument.[17] When he turned 13 years old, his father rented one for him.”
I would say in 1985 (I was 13) that the film was the perfect mix for us budding guitarists, as it featured the Van Halen-era shred and the classic songs we all grew up with from the ’50s.
The 1950s were huge at the time with Levi 501s (those adverts) and Brylcreem all back in vogue. As kids, this film had a huge impact on many of us, and if you think it didn’t, that’s fine (but you are mistaken).
Jef, you’ve missed something. What you mean is “but you are mistaken… in my opinion.”
I am only a few years older than you, but, for the record, I don’t know a single musician who was inspired to take up their instrument from a scene in a film or any fictional character.
Everyone I know who was inspired to take up an instrument (either long term or as a ‘nine day wonder’) were inspired by real musicians or simply wanting to copy/do something with their mates.
I strongly suspect that, across the generations, that kind of inspiration is far more widespread than anyone – including your example of just ONE musician who went on to become well-known – being inspired my Michael J Fox in BTTF.
I repeat my opinion, that the hype over this guitar is being far more driven by the film makers and Gibson than people who were genuinely inspired by that one scene to become musicians.
I don’t see the producers of any other of the gazillion movies which feature music performances claiming that ‘generations’ of guitarists ‘often’ cited that film as inspiration.
Again, there are so many musicians this film influenced at that time. Go on Google and do a search, some big names pop up (obviously), and I know many players who also saw this film and were inspired to play. Another easy one to find is Chris Martin, as he talks about it non-stop. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qw23BM4QtmA
I’m not hating ‘on’ (where does ‘on’ come from?) Jef, or anyone. Just highlighting how prone gearnews.com is to a bit of unjustified hype. Although, in fairness, that’s usually when it’s writing slightly-too-favourable reviews of something that Thomann wants to sell.
JP, my post was a goofy joke. No insult to you or Jef.
I agree with you that this is hype. Gibson likes press, Thomann likes sales. It is what it is.
Sadly it likely parished in the Palisades fire. Norm sold it to a rich lady that lived there and lost touch.
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