Head to head
Gibson Back to the Future "1955" ES-345 Collector's Edition, Light Aged, Cherry Red vs Gibson Leo Scala Theodore Retroliner – Bleeding Red, Bleeding Red, Bleeding-Red
Electric$19,999
No ratings yet77Overall / 100
Electric$15,999
No ratings yet76Overall / 100
The verdict
The Gibson Back to the Future "1955" ES-345 Collector's Edition, Light Aged, Cherry Red and Gibson Leo Scala Theodore Retroliner – Bleeding Red, Bleeding Red, Bleeding-Red are closely matched overall — 77 to 76 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 Leo Scala Theodore Retroliner – Bleeding Red, Bleeding Red, Bleeding-Red wins on
- Lower price ($15,999 vs $19,999)
Scorecard
| Metric | Back to the Future "1955" ES-345 Collector's Edition, Light Aged, Cherry Red | Leo Scala Theodore Retroliner – Bleeding Red, Bleeding Red, Bleeding-Red |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 77 | 76 |
| Build | 87 | 87 |
| Playability | 75 | 75 |
| Sound | 74 | 71 |
| Value | 67 | 66 |
Full specifications
| Spec | Back to the Future "1955" ES-345 Collector's Edition, Light Aged, Cherry Red | Leo Scala Theodore Retroliner – Bleeding Red, Bleeding Red, Bleeding-Red |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Gibson | Gibson |
| Type | Electric | Electric |
| Years | — | — |
| Country | US | US |
| Body wood | 3-ply maple/poplar/maple | Alder |
| Neck wood | Mahogany | Mahogany |
| Fretboard | Rosewood | Indian Rosewood |
| Strings | 6 | 6 |
| Frets | 22 | 22 |
| Scale | 24.75" | 24.75" |
| Pickups | Custombucker Alnico 3, Unpotted / Custombucker Alnico 3, Unpotted | Leo Scala Custom Retrophonic Hand-wound P-90 Soapbar Alnico 5 and Alnico 3 Magnets 79 k DC Resistance / Leo Scala Custom Retrophonic Hand-wound Vault 59 Patent Applied For Humbucker Alnico 2 Magnet 845 k DC Resistance |
| Rating | — | — |
| Price | $19,999 | $15,999 |
| Binding | 3-ply top, single-ply back and fretboard | — |
| Body Finish | Murphy Lab Aged Nitrocellulose Lacquer | Master Artisan Aged Nitrocellulose Lacquer |
| Body shape | ES-335 | Theodore |
| Body Styles | ES-335 | Double Cut |
| Bridge | ABR-1 No-Wire | ABR-1 Tune-O-Matic with Custom Dog Bone Base |
| Bridge pickup | Custombucker Alnico 3, Unpotted | Leo Scala Custom Retrophonic Hand-wound Vault 59 Patent Applied For Humbucker Alnico 2 Magnet 845 k DC Resistance |
| Case | Lifton™ hardshell with Marvin Berry and The Starlighters graphics | Custom G&G Hardshell with Leo Scala Aged Hardware and Gold-Embroidered Gibson Logo Inside |
| Centerblock | Maple | — |
| Control Knobs | Black top hat with gold reflector | Gold Speed with Dial Pointer |
| Controls | 2 Volume, 2 Tone, CTS 500k audio taper potentiometers, paper-in-oil capacitors; 6-position mono varitone | 2 Volume, 2 Tone; 50s-style Hand-wired with VIPots 550k Potentiometers and Bumblebee Capacitors |
| Finish | Aged gold | Master Artisan Aged Nickel |
| Fretboard inlay | Celluloid split parallelogram with celluloid parallelogram at 12th Fret | Pearloid Dot |
| Fretboard radius | 304.8mm / 12.0in | 304.8mm / 12.0in |
| Fret Count | 22 | 22 |
| Headstock Inlay | Gibson logo and crown in mother of pearl; Hill Valley Music dealer plaque on headstock rear | Custom Raised Aluminum Gibson Logo |
| Joint | Long tenon, hide glue fit | Long Tenon, Hide Glue Fit |
| Model | 55ES345BTTFMLGH1 | CS-ART-103 |
| Mounting Rings | Black M69 medium & tall | Cream (Humbucker) |
| Neck pickup | Custombucker Alnico 3, Unpotted | Leo Scala Custom Retrophonic Hand-wound P-90 Soapbar Alnico 5 and Alnico 3 Magnets 79 k DC Resistance |
| Nut | Nylon | Nylon |
| Nut width | 42.85mm / 1.69in | 42.85mm / 1.69in |
| Output Jack | 1/4" Switchcraft | 1/4" Switchcraft |
| Pickguard | Short ES-335; black 5-ply, wide bevel | Custom Single Ply Cream |
| Pickup Covers | Gold | Cream Soapbar (P-90), None (Humbucker) |
| Pickup Selector | Switchcraft 3-way toggle | 3-way Switchcraft |
| Profile | 1961 Authentic Thin D-Shape | C |
| Scale length | 628.65mm / 24.75in | 628.65mm / 24.75in |
| Strap Buttons | Burnished brass | 2 - Bottom and Upper Horn |
| String gauges | .010, .013, .017, .026, .036, .046 | .010, .013, .017, .026, .036, .046 |
| Switch Tip | Cream | Amber |
| Switchwasher | Gold with black lettering (Varitone) | Black |
| Tailpiece | Bigsby '59 B7, gold with black paint | Bigsby B7 Vibrato |
| Truss rod | Authentic 1950s no-tube | Adjustable |
| Truss Rod Cover | Authentic stepped 2-ply | 2-ply Black Bell |
| Tuner Plating | Aged gold | Master Artisan Aged Nickel |
| Tuners | Kluson single line, single ring | Kluson Six In-Line with Custom Color-Infused Oval Button |
| Accessories | — | Certificate of Authenticity Box |
| Control Covers | — | Black |
| Headstock | — | Scimitar |
| Neck Finish | — | Leo Scala Custom Oiled |
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