Gibson Continues Global Search for Iconic Movie Guitar
The Gibson ES-345 guitar featured in the 1985 film Back to the Future remains missing after more than four decades.
Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Science Fiction
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Gibson has expanded its global search for the missing ES-345 guitar used by Michael J. Fox in the 1985 classic film Back to the Future. The instrument, originally provided to the production by Norman's Rare Guitars, has been lost for over 40 years.
Why it matters
The search seeks to recover a piece of cinematic history that has remained elusive since its disappearance decades ago. Actor Michael J. Fox has publicly voiced his belief that the instrument is currently in the possession of an unknown individual.
The search is currently in its second year following a launch in June 2025. The guitar is identified by a specific block parallelogram inlay located at the 12th fret.
The players
Gibson
This American manufacturer of guitars and other musical instruments is currently leading the global effort to recover the missing movie prop.
Michael J. Fox
He is the actor who starred in the Back to the Future franchise and recently expressed his suspicion that the missing guitar is being kept by someone.
Norman's Rare Guitars
This vintage instrument retailer originally provided the ES-345 guitar used during the 1985 film production.
Lost Bass Project
This investigative team, known for its previous recovery efforts, is assisting the current search for the film prop.
The details
Gibson has enlisted the Lost Bass Project team to aid in the investigation and is producing a documentary titled Lost to the Future. The company plans to release the documentary only after the original instrument is successfully located.
Timeline
The original film Back to the Future was released in 1985.
Gibson initiated a global search for the instrument in June 2025.
The search continues through October 21, 2026, marking the annual Back to the Future Day.
Industry Dynamics
The search follows a pattern set by the 51-year search for Paul McCartney's missing bass, which utilized similar specialized recovery resources. This trend highlights the growing commitment from brands to track down iconic artifacts that contribute to the legacy of their instruments.
Fans and enthusiasts can track the search progress as the company updates its efforts toward the documentary release. While the guitar remains off-market, the search ensures that public attention remains focused on the potential recovery of this historic piece of memorabilia.
The takeaway
Collectors and fans should note that verifying the provenance of historic instruments remains a difficult but high-priority task for manufacturers. Keeping detailed records and identifiable markings like the 12th-fret inlay is essential for long-term recovery efforts of valuable items.
Further reading
Explore more cinematic history in the Science Fiction section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by GuitarPlayer.
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