Hi everyone, I’m Thomas Duflos from Guitar Pro and Guitar Pedal Of The Day. As a big fan of the Back to the Future trilogy, I’m happy to show you the amazing guitars played by Marty McFly!
Few movie scenes have had such a lasting impact on guitar culture as Back to the Future. From Marty McFly’s blistering performance of “Johnny B. Goode” to his run-ins with futuristic amps and classic gear, the film is a treasure trove of musical moments that inspired entire generations to pick up the guitar.
In this article, we dive deep into the legendary instruments seen (and heard) on screen: the stunning Gibson ES-345, the underrated Ibanez Roadstar II, the quirky but powerful Chiquita travel guitar, and of course, the jaw-dropping CRM-114 amp built by Doc Brown. Each piece of gear has its own backstory, and many were chosen with specific visual or symbolic intent, even when they weren’t period-accurate.
And because this is Guitar Pedal Of The Day, we go further. We break down the songs featured in the trilogy, the riffs that made history, and the tones that shaped Marty’s musical universe. Better yet, you can play these three iconic tracks from the film in mySongBook:
🎸 Johnny B. Goode by Chuck Berry.
⚡ The Power of Love by Huey Lewis and The News.
⏰ Back in Time by Huey Lewis and The News.
These tabs are now available on mySongBook, so you can recreate Marty McFly’s guitar legacy at home.
Let’s plug in and go 88mph into one of cinema’s most electrifying soundtracks.
Gibson ES-345
In the 1985 film Back to the Future, Michael J. Fox’s character, Marty McFly, performs Chuck Berry‘s “Johnny B. Goode” at the “Enchantment Under the Sea” dance. This performance, featuring the cherry red Gibson ES-345, has become one of the most memorable moments in cinematic history, inspiring countless musicians to pick up the guitar.
This guitar wasn’t introduced until 1959, while the scene is set in 1955. Still, the guitar was chosen for its flashy appearance and classic rock-and-roll vibe, making it visually iconic.

Gibson has launched a worldwide hunt to find the actual guitar played by Michael J. Fox. Real hunt or clever marketing buzz? We’ll probably discover it sooner or later…
The specific ES-345 used in the film was rented from Norman’s Rare Guitars in California. After filming concluded, the guitar was returned to the shop. However, when the filmmakers sought to use the same guitar for the 1989 sequel, it was nowhere to be found. It’s believed that the guitar was sold during the vintage guitar boom of the 1980s, possibly to a collector overseas.
Chiquita – Travel Guitar
This amazing small travel guitar is seen in the first scenes of Back to the Future. Travel guitars don’t have the reputation of being reliable guitars, but this one was made by a legendary luthier and a guitar hero! Indeed, this guitar was thought out and made by Mark Erlewine in collaboration with Billy Gibbons from ZZ Top.
Guitar legends like Joe Bonamassa, Johnny Winter, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Andy Summers, Paul McCartney (a left-handed bass version), Billy Gibbons, and Pat Metheny played on that thing! More details about this guitar can be found on the official Erlewine website.
Ibanez Roadstar II
The Ibanez RS430 Roadstar II Deluxe is a standout guitar that gained iconic status through its appearance in Back to the Future. In the film, Marty McFly uses this sleek black guitar during the high school band audition scene, showcasing its distinctive design and sound.
This black-finished guitar was part of Ibanez’s Roadstar II series, produced in Japan between 1984 and 1985. Its electronics include three Ibanez V7 single-coil pickups, providing a versatile range of tones suitable for various music styles.
PRS CE-24
In Back to the Future Part II, Marty McFly is seen playing a 1989 PRS CE-24 in a striking Electric Blue finish during a scene set in his future home. This guitar, part of Paul Reed Smith’s Classic Electric series introduced in 1988, features a bolt-on maple neck, 24 frets, and dual humbucking pickups, combining the snap and clarity of a bolt-on design with PRS‘s renowned craftsmanship.
The Electric Blue finish, rare for the time, adds to the guitar’s futuristic aesthetic, aligning with the film’s vision of 2015. The CE-24’s appearance in the movie not only showcased PRS’s innovative design but also cemented its place in pop culture history.
CRM 114 – Marty McFly amp
In the opening scene of Back to the Future, Marty McFly doesn’t just play a guitar, he unleashes sound through one of the most absurdly powerful fictional amplifiers ever shown on screen: the CRM-114. Towering at nearly 8 feet high, this custom-built rig sets the tone (literally) for the film’s blend of science, music, and mischief.
Designed by Doc Brown in his garage-lab, the CRM-114 looks more like an experimental military device than an audio system. It’s overloaded with analog controls, massive speaker cones, and vintage electronics — all meant to exaggerate its raw, uncontrollable power. Marty plugs in his Erlewine Chiquita travel guitar, dials every setting to the max, and strums a single chord. The result? He’s violently thrown backward into a bookcase by the amp’s deafening output. It’s one of the most memorable intros in sci-fi movie history.
While the CRM-114 is pure Hollywood fiction, the amp’s design is rooted in real-world components. Prop builders have identified elements like Heinemann circuit breakers, vintage VARIAC dials, and Powerstat transformers, which add to its steampunk, mad-scientist look. These details helped sell the illusion that Doc had truly invented something dangerously overpowered.
Play Johnny B. Goode – Chuck Berry
This song needs no introduction! Performed by Marty McFly at the Enchantment Under the Sea dance in the first film. This is the most iconic guitar song in the trilogy.
Johnny B. Goode – How to hit the tone?
This is one way to achieve Chuck Berry’s tone; there are many other ways!
Chuck Berry primarily used a 1955 Gibson ES-350T for his early recordings, including “Johnny B. Goode.” This hollow-body electric guitar featured two P-90 single-coil pickups, contributing to its bright and punchy sound. The ES-350T’s construction and pickups played a significant role in achieving Berry’s distinctive tone.
The D’Angelico Deluxe Bobby Weir 3 is a semi-hollow electric guitar that blends vintage aesthetics with modern versatility, making it a suitable choice for emulating Chuck Berry’s iconic tone in “Johnny B. Goode.”

Berry favored Fender Tweed amplifiers, such as the Fender Deluxe and Fender Bassman, during his early career. These amps are renowned for their warm, overdriven tones when pushed to higher volumes. The natural breakup of these tube amplifiers complemented Berry’s playing style, adding grit and sustain to his sound. We invite you here to discover the amazing Invaders Amplification amps.
Gain/Volume: Set high enough to achieve natural tube overdrive without excessive distortion.

Play “The Power of Love” – Huey Lewis and The News
Featured as the opening theme when Marty skateboards to school. Great power chords and riff!
Play “Back in Time” – Huey Lewis and The News
This song is played during the end credits of the first film.
Other songs with guitar featured in the movie are:
“Earth Angel” – The Penguins
Played by the Starlighters during the dance
🎵 1950s ballad style, chords and simple melodic lines
“Night Train” – Marvin Berry and the Starlighters (originally by Jimmy Forrest)
Also featured at the school dance
Primarily a sax tune, but has easy guitar backing riffs
Guitar Pedal Of The Day
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