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Head to head

Gibson Back to the Future "1955" ES-345 Collector's Edition, Light Aged, Cherry Red vs Gibson Jason Isbell "Red Eye" 1959 Les Paul Standard Collector's Edition, Left Handed, Red Eye Burst

The verdict

The Gibson Back to the Future "1955" ES-345 Collector's Edition, Light Aged, Cherry Red and Gibson Jason Isbell "Red Eye" 1959 Les Paul Standard Collector's Edition, Left Handed, Red Eye Burst are closely matched overall — 77 to 77 on our estimated score.

Estimated from specs & owner reviews — a starting point, not a substitute for playing both.

Gibson Back to the Future "1955" ES-345 Collector's Edition, Light Aged, Cherry Red wins on
  • Lower price ($19,999 vs $21,999)
Gibson Jason Isbell "Red Eye" 1959 Les Paul Standard Collector's Edition, Left Handed, Red Eye Burst wins on

No standout advantage.

Scorecard

Estimated scores
MetricBack to the Future "1955" ES-345 Collector's Edition, Light Aged, Cherry RedJason Isbell "Red Eye" 1959 Les Paul Standard Collector's Edition, Left Handed, Red Eye Burst
Overall7777
Build8787
Playability7575
Sound7474
Value6767

Full specifications

Specification comparison
SpecBack to the Future "1955" ES-345 Collector's Edition, Light Aged, Cherry RedJason Isbell "Red Eye" 1959 Les Paul Standard Collector's Edition, Left Handed, Red Eye Burst
BrandGibsonGibson
TypeElectricElectric
Years
CountryUSUS
Body wood3-ply maple/poplar/mapleOne Piece Lightweight Mahogany
Neck woodMahoganyMahogany
FretboardRosewoodBrazilian Rosewood
Strings66
Frets2222
Scale24.75"24.75"
PickupsCustombucker Alnico 3, Unpotted / Custombucker Alnico 3, UnpottedCustombucker Alnico 2 Zebra Bobbins / Custombucker Alnico 2 Double Classic White Bobbins
Rating
Price$19,999$21,999
Binding3-ply top, single-ply back and fretboardSingle-ply, Top and Fretboard
Body FinishMurphy Lab Aged Nitrocellulose LacquerMurphy Lab Aged Nitrocellulose Lacquer
Body shapeES-335Les Paul
Body StylesES-335Les Paul
BridgeABR-1 No-WireABR-1 No-Wire
Bridge pickupCustombucker Alnico 3, UnpottedCustombucker Alnico 2 Double Classic White Bobbins
CaseLifton™ hardshell with Marvin Berry and The Starlighters graphicsLes Paul Protector Series
CenterblockMaple
Control KnobsBlack top hat with gold reflectorGold Butyrate Top Hat
Controls2 Volume, 2 Tone, CTS 500k audio taper potentiometers, paper-in-oil capacitors; 6-position mono varitone2 Volume, 2 Tone, CTS 500K Audio Taper Potentiometers, Paper-in-Oil Capacitors
FinishAged goldMurphy Lab Aged Nickel
Fretboard inlayCelluloid split parallelogram with celluloid parallelogram at 12th FretAged Cellulose Nitrate Trapezoid
Fretboard radius304.8mm / 12.0in304.8mm / 12.0in
Fret Count2222
Headstock InlayGibson logo and crown in mother of pearl; Hill Valley Music dealer plaque on headstock rearGibson Logo in Mother of Pearl, Les Paul Model silkscreen
JointLong tenon, hide glue fitLong Tenon, Hide Glue Fit
Model55ES345BTTFMLGH1LPR59LHJIREMLNH1B
Mounting RingsBlack M69 medium & tallM69 Cellulose Acetate Butyrate
Neck pickupCustombucker Alnico 3, UnpottedCustombucker Alnico 2 Zebra Bobbins
NutNylonNylon
Nut width42.85mm / 1.69in42.85mm / 1.69in
Output Jack1/4" Switchcraft1/4" Switchcraft
PickguardShort ES-335; black 5-ply, wide bevelLaminated Cellulose Acetate Butyrate
Pickup CoversGoldMurphy Lab Aged Nickel
Pickup SelectorSwitchcraft 3-way toggle3-way Switchcraft
Profile1961 Authentic Thin D-ShapeRed Eye Custom Profile
Scale length628.65mm / 24.75in628.65mm / 24.75in
Strap ButtonsBurnished brass2 - True Historic, Bottom and Shoulder
String gauges.010, .013, .017, .026, .036, .046.010, .013, .017, .026, .036, .046
Switch TipCreamAmber Catalin
SwitchwasherGold with black lettering (Varitone)Replica Cellulose Acetate Butyrate
TailpieceBigsby '59 B7, gold with black paintLightweight Aluminum Stop Bar
Truss rodAuthentic 1950s no-tubeAuthentic 1950s No-Tube
Truss Rod CoverAuthentic stepped 2-plyAuthentic Stepped 2-Ply
Tuner PlatingAged goldMurphy Lab Aged Nickel
TunersKluson single line, single ringKluson Single Line, Single Ring
AccessoriesJason Isbell Strap, Certificate of Authenticity
Control CoversBlack Royalite; Gibson Custom Shop Medallion Switchplate Cover, Blank Switchplate Cover in the Case
Jack Plate CoverLaminated Cellulose Acetate Butyrate
Top woodHand-Picked Figured Maple
Weight ReliefNone

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