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Gibson Back to the Future "1955" ES-345 Collector's Edition, Light Aged, Cherry Red vs Gibson Leo Scala Heavy Addiction Explorer #1, Natural

Gibson Back to the Future "1955" ES-345 Collector's Edition, Light Aged, Cherry Red
Electric$19,999
No ratings yet
77Overall / 100
Gibson Leo Scala Heavy Addiction Explorer #1, Natural
Electric$25,000
No ratings yet
75Overall / 100

The verdict

The Gibson Back to the Future "1955" ES-345 Collector's Edition, Light Aged, Cherry Red and Gibson Leo Scala Heavy Addiction Explorer #1, Natural are closely matched overall — 77 to 75 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
  • Better sound (74 vs 68)
  • Lower price ($19,999 vs $25,000)
Gibson Leo Scala Heavy Addiction Explorer #1, Natural wins on

No standout advantage.

Scorecard

Estimated scores
MetricBack to the Future "1955" ES-345 Collector's Edition, Light Aged, Cherry RedLeo Scala Heavy Addiction Explorer #1, Natural
Overall7775
Build8787
Playability7575
Sound7468
Value6765

Full specifications

Specification comparison
SpecBack to the Future "1955" ES-345 Collector's Edition, Light Aged, Cherry RedLeo Scala Heavy Addiction Explorer #1, Natural
BrandGibsonGibson
TypeElectricElectric
Years——
CountryUSUS
Body wood3-ply maple/poplar/mapleKorina
Neck woodMahoganyKorina
FretboardRosewoodIndian Rosewood
Strings66
Frets2222
Scale24.75"24.75"
PickupsCustombucker Alnico 3, Unpotted / Custombucker Alnico 3, UnpottedLeo Scala Retrophonic Alnico 3 (7.7k) / Leo Scala Retrophonic Alnico 2 (8.4k)
Rating——
Price$19,999$25,000
Binding3-ply top, single-ply back and fretboard—
Body FinishMurphy Lab Aged Nitrocellulose LacquerMaster Artisan aged nitrocellulose lacquer
Body shapeES-335Explorer
Body StylesES-335—
BridgeABR-1 No-WireABR-1 Tune-O-Matic
Bridge pickupCustombucker Alnico 3, UnpottedLeo Scala Retrophonic Alnico 2 (8.4k)
CaseLifton™ hardshell with Marvin Berry and The Starlighters graphicsCustom G&G Wine Suede
CenterblockMaple—
Control KnobsBlack top hat with gold reflectorAged Gold Top Hats
Controls2 Volume, 2 Tone, CTS 500k audio taper potentiometers, paper-in-oil capacitors; 6-position mono varitone2 volume, 1 tone
FinishAged goldAged Gold
Fretboard inlayCelluloid split parallelogram with celluloid parallelogram at 12th FretCellulose Dot
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 rearRaised metal Gibson Logo
JointLong tenon, hide glue fitHide glue fit
Model55ES345BTTFMLGH1CS-ART-114_Heavy1_Na
Mounting RingsBlack M69 medium & tall—
Neck pickupCustombucker Alnico 3, UnpottedLeo Scala Retrophonic Alnico 3 (7.7k)
NutNylonNylon
Nut width42.85mm / 1.69in42.8mm / 1.69in
Output Jack1/4" Switchcraft1/4"
PickguardShort ES-335; black 5-ply, wide bevelWhite
Pickup CoversGold—
Pickup SelectorSwitchcraft 3-way toggle3-way toggle
Profile1961 Authentic Thin D-Shape'58 Vintage
Scale length628.65mm / 24.75in628.65mm / 24.75in
Strap ButtonsBurnished brass—
String gauges.010, .013, .017, .026, .036, .046—
Switch TipCream—
SwitchwasherGold with black lettering (Varitone)—
TailpieceBigsby '59 B7, gold with black paintStop Bar
Truss rodAuthentic 1950s no-tube—
Truss Rod CoverAuthentic stepped 2-ply—
Tuner PlatingAged gold—
TunersKluson single line, single ringKluson Deluxe with Leo Scala Custom-Color-Infused Celluloid Tips
Accessories—Custom-made Certificate of Authenticity from Leo Scala and Blue Bell strap made by Don Pepe

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