Skip to content
Head to head

Gibson Back to the Future "1955" ES-345 Collector's Edition, Light Aged, Cherry Red vs Gibson Kirk Hammett "Greeny" 1959 Les Paul Standard, Greeny Burst

Gibson Kirk Hammett "Greeny" 1959 Les Paul Standard, Greeny Burst
Electric$19,999
No ratings yet
77Overall / 100

The verdict

The Gibson Back to the Future "1955" ES-345 Collector's Edition, Light Aged, Cherry Red and Gibson Kirk Hammett "Greeny" 1959 Les Paul Standard, Greeny 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

No standout advantage.

Gibson Kirk Hammett "Greeny" 1959 Les Paul Standard, Greeny Burst wins on

No standout advantage.

Scorecard

Estimated scores
MetricBack to the Future "1955" ES-345 Collector's Edition, Light Aged, Cherry RedKirk Hammett "Greeny" 1959 Les Paul Standard, Greeny Burst
Overall7777
Build8787
Playability7575
Sound7474
Value6767

Full specifications

Specification comparison
SpecBack to the Future "1955" ES-345 Collector's Edition, Light Aged, Cherry RedKirk Hammett "Greeny" 1959 Les Paul Standard, Greeny Burst
BrandGibsonGibson
TypeElectricElectric
Years
CountryUSUS
Body wood3-ply maple/poplar/mapleLightweight Mahogany
Neck woodMahoganyMahogany
FretboardRosewood1 Piece Indian Rosewood
Strings66
Frets2222
Scale24.75"24.75"
PickupsCustombucker Alnico 3, Unpotted / Custombucker Alnico 3, UnpottedCustom Greenybucker with Flipped Alnico 2 Magnet Reverse Mounted / Custom Greeny Bucker Alnico 2 Magnet
Rating
Price$19,999$19,999
Binding3-ply top, single-ply back 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
Bridge pickupCustombucker Alnico 3, UnpottedCustom Greeny Bucker Alnico 2 Magnet
CaseLifton™ hardshell with Marvin Berry and The Starlighters graphicsBrown/Pink Lifton Reissue 5-Latch Case
CenterblockMaple
Control KnobsBlack top hat with gold reflector2 True Historic Gold, 2 True Historic Gold with Silver Inserts
Controls2 Volume, 2 Tone, CTS 500k audio taper potentiometers, paper-in-oil capacitors; 6-position mono varitone2 Volume, 2 Tone; Vintage Audio Taper Potentiometers, Hand-wired with Bumblebee Capacitors
FinishAged goldNickel/Chrome
Fretboard inlayCelluloid split parallelogram with celluloid parallelogram at 12th FretReissue 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 fitGlued In, Set Neck; Hide Glue Fit
Model55ES345BTTFMLGH1LPR59GRNYMLNH1
Mounting RingsBlack M69 medium & tallTrue Historic Cream (Aged)
Neck pickupCustombucker Alnico 3, UnpottedCustom Greenybucker with Flipped Alnico 2 Magnet Reverse Mounted
NutNylonNylon
Nut width42.85mm / 1.69in42.86mm / 1.69in
Output Jack1/4" Switchcraft1/4" Switchcraft
PickguardShort ES-335; black 5-ply, wide bevelNone - Mounting Holes Drilled
Pickup CoversGoldAged Nickel
Pickup SelectorSwitchcraft 3-way toggle3-way Switchcraft
Profile1961 Authentic Thin D-ShapeCustom Greeny Profile
Scale length628.65mm / 24.75in628.65mm / 24.75in
Strap ButtonsBurnished brass2 - Strap Locks (Aged)
String gauges.010, .013, .017, .026, .036, .046.010, .013, .017, .026, .036, .046
Switch TipCreamWhite
SwitchwasherGold with black lettering (Varitone)True Historic Cream; Aged Silkscreen
TailpieceBigsby '59 B7, gold with black paintLightweight Nickel Stop Bar
Truss rodAuthentic 1950s no-tubeAuthentic 1950s No-Tube
Truss Rod CoverAuthentic stepped 2-plyTrue Historic
Tuner PlatingAged goldChrome
TunersKluson single line, single ringSperzel
AccessoriesCertificate of Authenticity, Gibson Custom Shop Switch Plate Medallion
Control CoversBlack Reissue
Jack Plate CoverBlack, Rounded Corner
Top woodFigured Maple

More Back to the Future "1955" ES-345 Collector's Edition, Light Aged, Cherry Red comparisons