He wanted to be able to get a cleaner sound out of the 12-string, so he put the guitar under the soldering iron and chainsaw, as he said in an interview with Gibson. As part of Julien's Auctions' "Music Icons" auction, happening on May 20, 21 and 22, "Property From The Archives Of Alex Lifeson" will feature over 60 vintage guitars and other career memorabilia from the personal collection Alex Lifeson, the legendary Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame guitarist and co-founder of Rush, One of the greatest rock groups of all time, selling more than 40 million . Wed love to stay in touch, sign up for The Pick team to contact you with great news, content and offers. Part of our Music Icons auction happening on May 20th, 21st and 22nd, Property From The Archives of Alex Lifeson will feature over 60 vintage guitars and other career memorabilia from the personal collection Alex Lifeson, the legendary Rock and Roll Hall of Fame guitarist and co-founder of Rush. Alex Lifeson is set to put up his most legendary guitars for bidding at the Julien's Auctions "Music Icons . It's going to be a freehand job, but I have some scrap wood I plan on practicing on. To reflect our commitment, we updated our terms and conditions. In Rushs early years, Lifeson didnt even own an amp. A custom-built 1980 Hentor Sportscaster - used by Lifeson extensively during the recording of Rush's Grace Under Pressure album and for the "Limelight" solo - also fetched a princely sum, selling (opens in new tab) for $187,500. Another notable guitar going under the hammer is Lifeson's 1980 Hentor Sportscaster, the custom electric guitar which Lifeson played on albums such as 1981's Moving Pictures and 1984's Grace Under Pressure.
Alex Lifeson - en.faceoffrockshow.com He has well over 15 years of guitar playing under his belt, as well as a degree in Music Technology (Mixing and Mastering). His bandmates even call him The Musical Scientist because of his sound experimentation. ", A 1970 Gibson Les Paul acquired by Lifeson during Rushs inaugural tour and played extensively on all Rush albums and tours from Fly By Night and 2112 to Hemispheres., A 1971 Jose Ramirez acoustic guitar used by Lifeson to record all classical-style tracks on the album Hemispheres, including The Trees and La Villa Strangiato., A 1976 Gibson Dove acoustic guitar played on numerous tours and used by Lifeson to write Closer to the Heart and other songs from the 1977 Rush album A Farewell to Kings., A 1976 Gibson J-55 acoustic guitar used by Lifeson to compose Rushs platinum-selling album 2112 as well as A Farewell to Kings and served as the main acoustic guitar on Natural Science and Camera Eye from Permanent Waves and Moving Pictures.. Well from that pic it s a slab board with a bullet truss rod so most likely a custom built something. Hentor Sportscaster played by Lifeson on most Rush albums since "Moving Pictures", and was the main guitar used on the recording of the album "Grace Under Pressure". Hopefully by this time next week I'll be able to show you th finished product. Amps, pedals, guitars, bass, drums, microphones, studio, and recording gear, I love it all. If you go back to Moving Pictures, you can see Alex in the "Limelight" video play a modified black Strat with what appears to be the stock Fender maple neck, with no locking nut. Some reference if you can stand the 80'sness of the videos. I updated the permissions on the media album so hopefully you can see the photos now. The 1210 is a spatial expander and chorus flanger that helps Lifeson create his unique Rush sound.
RUSH's Alex Lifeson Will Auction Off His Most Iconic Guitars For Various knobs and fittings came in the mail this week, and it's time to prepare for the real gut-check part of the project: routing out the body to accommodate the Gibson-style switch and the new wiring pattern.
Alex Lifeson: Limelight tutorial iVideo | The Gear Page In 2008, Freddy Gabrsek, a luthier based in Niagra-on-the-Lake, Ontario, requested permission to replicate and sell Alex Lifeson's white Sportscaster. Surprisingly, Alex Lifeson is mostly self-taught. It requires routing a pocket for the switch and two channels for the new wiring location.
Alex Lifeson Will Auction Off Over 100 Items, Including Guitars He Used Reproduction of any part of this website without direct permission is prohibited. The experts in contemporary and pop culture.
Alex Lifeson auctioning 60+ vintage guitars - The Music Universe It may not display this or other websites correctly. Very nice build and glad to hear that previous posts and discussion helped with your build. Guitar World is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Like with his guitars, Lifeson has gone through a few amps over the years. At some point I will document it some more in a build thread as I plan to redraw it etc.
Alex Lifeson Auctions His Legendary Guitars | Society Of Rock Although Lifeson helped propel Signature to new heights by showing off its capabilities on stage, the Signature Guitar Company ultimately closed its doors in 1990, and Lifeson switched back to Gibsons and PRSs. Guitars up for sale include Lifeson's Whitey Gibson ES-355TD, a 1980 custom-built Hentor Sportscaster and a Gibson EDS-1275 double-neck created specifically for Rush's 40th Anniversary tour. The Lifeson Signature model also had a fine-tuning Floyd Rose-type bridge. From Gebresek's website: He saw this beautiful, brand-new, white ES-355 that he just had to have, so he bought it! There was some additional dialogue I found that confirmed that the Hentors that Freddy Garsbeck was given permission to produce for resale were also wired up that way. Later, Lifeson admitted that he loved the sound of the Signatures, but he wasnt a fan of how they felt. Lifeson loved the sound of the TC Electronics 1210 so much that hes had the same exact unit in his rack for over 30 years! JavaScript is disabled. Go. Rush Marshall cabinet photos, And if anyone has more info, Id love to hear! There is no back plate on the guitar, consistent with the original model.
RUSH's ALEX LIFESON To Auction Off Guitars Used Throughout His Career Despite the rough playability, Lifeson loved that guitar, and it started him on a musical journey that would last for the rest of his life. alex lifeson hentor hentor sportscaster rush sportscaster strat modification stratocaster 1; 2; Next. He did, however, modify his 1958 Sunburst Gibson Les Paul Reissue to include a Piezo pickup in the bridge along with dual outputsa configuration he later incorporated into his own Gibson signature model. just odd never seen that one before Ok got a lot done today since I have 2 other guitars drying up after clear coating them. Next Last. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. I updated the permissions on the media folder so hopefully that fixes the issue. Whitey is featured on all albums from A Farewell to Kings to Test for Echo, and can be seen played by Lifeson on stage during all Rush tours from 1977 to 2015 as well as in many of the bands music videos.
Alex Lifeson has always been experimenting with his guitars and equipment. Its essentially an oversized hollow-body Les Paul. What's something super simple you like to play just because it's fun to play? Currency: You are using an out of date browser. To help him blend the acoustic-sounding piezo and the magnetic pickups, he has a piezo switcher on his pedalboard. My background is in Electrical Engineering, earning a Bachelors degree from Youngstown State University. Oops, looks like you forgot something. Most of Lifesons Les Pauls arent much different than the ones you can pick up from any Gibson dealer. Alex Lifeson loves to have piezo pickups and dual outputs built into his guitars. According to Rushisaband.com, Niagara On The Lake luthier Freddy Gebrsek has received permission from RUSH guitarist Alex Lifeson to create and sell replicas of his Hentor Sportscaster, which Alex used extensively during the early 1980s. It can be heard on 16 of the band's studio albums from their 1974 self-titled debut to 1996's Test for Echo and seen in several music videos. All rights reserved. It has been my main guitar and is the iconic Alex Lifeson guitar." . Lifesons Moog is preset with a few bass sounds and some samples. The Freddy Sportscaster is deadly expensive for sure, its interesting as a benchmark and details Alexs customizations clearly. You can see it rocking on Working Man during this early Rush performance. Fax: 310-742-0155, A 1976 custom-built Gibson ES-355TD, aka Whitey, played by Lifeson throughout most of his career with Rush. Discover more about the fascinating celebrity memorabilia through our collections of catalogues, Mail and Pickup Only
His go-to chorus pedal is the Boss CE-1 Chorus. Wow.and I thought I was a Rush dork!! The body is from a 2014 Fender Japan ST62-FR. Hello my fellow Rush fans! It also had only two knobsone tone and one volumeunlike the three that you usually find on Strats. When Moving Did you have a router template that you used for the toggle? ), Gibson three way switch on the lower horn, 5 way with that? The natural finished Strats of that era had ash bodies. 70's style strat body finished in . Keith. Hello my fellow Rush fans!
Alex Lifeson Hentor Sportscaster Miniature Guitar Model Officially Licensed; Neil Peart: Drum God . A video diary of a handmade replica of Alex Lifeson's Hentor Sportscaster.
Alex Lifeson auctions off over 60 vintage guitars and other treasured Great gift for Rush fans! Alex Lifeson knew that and following in the footsteps of one of his favorite guitarists Jimmy Page, he picked up a Gibson EDS-1275 Doubleneck in 1976. But the cool thing is all the notes on the aged masking tape inside the cabinet, which Im curious to discover more about: each Greenback speaker says RUSH RH3 and Brigette Bardot 007 (spelled wrong I know). It has been my main guitar and is the iconic Alex Lifeson guitar," said the 68-year-old guitarist in a statement.
Barenaked Ladies and Rush's Geddy Lee Are Working on a - Exclaim! He loved the feel and tone of the guitar, and it easily became his primary player for years to come. #1.
Hentor Sportscaster - Alex Lifeson - Rush | Reverb But this is all for today. The guitar is reportedly Lifeson's favorite guitar for soloing, and was used to record the solo for Rush's 1981 hit, Limelight .
Alex Lifeson Hentor Sportscaster replicas now available - Rush Is A Band Alex Lifeson: "I purchased this guitar in 1976, it was custom-built in Kalamazoo just for me. The Property from the Archives of Alex Lifeson auction also included a number of other high-profile sales. Wow, what an excellent rundown of Alexs gear and the videos were super entertaining! It may not display this or other websites correctly. As if a Floyd Rose on a Les Paul isnt unique enough, in addition to the two magnetic humbuckers, Lifeson also added a Piezo pickup into the Floyd Rose bridge. One of the greatest rock groups of all time, selling more than 40 million records worldwide during the bands four-decade history. He bought a 1968 Gibson ES-335 for Rushs first tour. I'm happy with the overall results and removing a few grams of wood from this heavy specimen will make it easier on the back when playing for extended periods. Germany, A 1980 custom Hentor Sportscaster that was the main . He has them on many of his Les Pauls, including his signature Axcess Les Paul. This is an awesome guitar. Alex Lifesons two true guitar loves are the Gibson ES-335 and the Les Paul. A quality build and a much better price than to have one made for you. Does it have to be white? Lifeson is known for his outstanding riffing, odd chord structures, and electronic effects. These three instruments are expected to sell for five figures each. For a limited time, save in the Gibson European Demo Shop. Gardena,
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Yet another Hentor Sportscaster project - Telecaster Guitar Forum In an interview with Vintage Guitar magazine, Lifeson joked that Hendrix absolutely blew his mind, but there was no thinking about ever reaching his level. He found Claptons solos much more approachable, so thats how he learned to play. Your purchases help youth music programs get the gear they need to make music. That way, he can easily blend in the piezo or use it for straight acoustic sound. $1,799. Some of you may know of the Hentor Sportscaster, a 1973 white Fender strat that Alex Lifeson modded. Commencing May 20, the sale dubbed Property from the Archives of Alex Lifeson will take place Sunday, May 22 at the Hard Rock Cafe in New York and online at the company's website (opens in new tab). Another guitar up for bids, Lifeson's 1980 custom-built Hentor Sportscaster electric guitar. Learn More, We understand the importance of online privacy and are committed to complying with the EU General Data Protection Regulation. Learn More. In fact, its hard to even picture Alex Lifeson without a Les Paul in his hands! See the full list of notable Alex Lifeson Guitars below. Ive been playing guitar since I was 13 years old and am an avid collector. After he picked it up around 1980, the HRF became one of his primary players for the next few tours and albums. Bill Lawrence L500 humbucker, Dimarzio single coils, bone nut, non-fine tuner Floyd Rose, Schaller tuners, Northern Ash body, Rock Maple neck and Gaboon ebony fingerboard with medium jumbo stainless steel frets, nitro lacquer, hipshot locking tuners, three way switch, large brass sustain block, Hentor Sportscaster logo on peghead face, Freddy Gabrsek logo and serial number on peghead back. Alex Lifeson: "I purchased this guitar in 1976, it was custom-built in Kalamazoo just for me. Replica Pat Martino 2015 - Honeyburst . All guitars are officially licensed by Fender and RUSH ; Includes Stand ; Not Playable, but extremely collectible! For the Hemispheres tour, Lifeson swapped from his standard Fender Super Reverb to Hiwatt amps. Chorus is a big part of Alex Lifesons unique sound. LIFESON. Neck is also MIJ, gorgeous, plays super . Growing up, his musical idols included other legendary rockers like Jimi Hendrix, Jeff Beck, Pete Townsend, Jimmy Page, and Eric Clapton. JavaScript is disabled. The keys are elongated so Lifeson can press them with his feet while still playing guitar. This video is a few years old and was never published publicly, but people have be. You must log in or register to reply here. This guitar was favored by Lifeson as his primary instrument for soloing - in particular the solo for the band's hit single "Limelight" , and can be seen in the . Lifesons main EDS-1275 is white and features humbuckers on both sides of the guitar. In addition to his arsenal of Les Pauls and ES-355s, Lifeson also carried a 1952 Reissue Fender Telecaster with him on the road. By clicking Subscribe, I agree to receive exclusive offers & promotions, news & reviews, and personalized tips for buying and selling on Reverb. Lifeson manages to achieve this sound with his hallowed 'Hentor Sportscaster', a Frankenstein guitar a modified Fender Strat with a Floyd Rose vibrato arm to create his archetypal tone. The solution was a double-necked guitar that had both!
After playing it Alex wasn't to impressed with the pickup but thought the Guitar the pickup was installed in was great! Alexs only stipulation was that for every guitar sold, a portion of the profit goes to his charity Grapes Under Pressure. Alex Lifeson Hentor Sportscaster Miniature Guitar Model Officially Licensed. For more information, head to Julien's Auctions (opens in new tab). The owner of this website does not guarantee offers on this site, and all offers should be viewed as recommendations only. The Gibson EDS-1275 is used any time Lifeson needs a 12-stringmost notably, on the song Xanadu. As if one double-necked guitar wasnt cool enough, Geddy Lee also plays a double-neck for that song. At one time, there was another option available from Warmoth that there was some debate of whether it was a fit, but that does not appear to be available any longer. Geddy Lee also has a set of Moog Taurus Bass Pedals on his pedalboard, preset with different sounds. That looks great and well worth all of the setup. The Iconic Alex Lifeson Guitar-His Custom-Built "Whitey" Gibson ES-355TD Electric Main Guitar from 1976-2015 Used During his Entire Time with Rush; a "Limelight" Stage Played 1980 Custom-Built Hentor Sportscaster Electric Guitar; "The Trees" and "La Villa Strangiato" Studio Played 1971 Jose Ramirez Classical Acoustic Guitar; a Moving Pictures Tour 1981 Gibson Howard Roberts . This guitar made tons of appearances throughout the 70s. Signature is the brand not to be confused with a fender signature strat. Months after Alex Lifeson detailed his post-Rush project Envy of None, it's been revealed that friend and bandmate Geddy Lee is at work with the Barenaked Ladies on a "secret" new project. Guitars Kent Acoustic Canora 1968 Gibson ES-335, Tobacco Sunburst 1963 Fender Stratocaster, Sunburst (Sold) Amplifiers Kent Marshall (#1) Guitars Gibson ES-335, Tobacco Sunburst A rented Rickenbacker 12-string acoustic Amplifiers Marshall 50 watt with a 4x12 cabinet Effects . Wtf? Heres a rundown of the guitars, amps, and effects that Alex Lifeson has used over his decades-long career. Solid Body Electric Guitars. He even uses it during Rushs induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Im a fan of Alex Lifeson and Rush. This setup carried Lifeson all the way through the Moving Pictures tour in 1981. Lifesons original EDS-1275 Doubleneck was eventually donated to a museum in Toronto. Its such a great guitar that it still goes out on tour 30 years later! One has all his effects, the second is a straight feed that switches channels as needed, and the third is a backup, just in case one of the others breaks down. The Moog Taurus Bass Pedal looks like a small keyboard that fits on Lifesons pedalboard. In 2010, the sound experts at Hughes & Kettner gave Alex Lifeson his very own signature model amp. Get the latest and greatest Guitar news with one of our guitar magazine subscriptions. I'm not familiar with the original that inspired this build, but I can still tell that this turned out exceptionally nicely! From that moment on, all he wanted to do was play guitar. Hey! While Lee and Peart are critical to the band's success . Joining the ES-355 was Lifeson's 1976 Gibson Dove acoustic, . For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding.
Rush's Alex Lifeson Says He Isn't Motivated To Play Music - Rolling Stone This is an awesome guitar. Can't make it to the auction, then watch live streaming with Julien's Live. Now thats a really nice job of routing. and volume and tone? Hello Chris, great article but Id like to bring some corrections to your information the Signature Guitars section: Alex started using the Signature Aurora Prototype built buy Russ Heinl (a personal friend of Alexs) for the Hold Your Fire and Presto albums almost exclusively (this it the White Aurora, his #1), he had 5 Auroras on tour with him and used mostly his #1, #2 Charcoal grey & his #3 Dark emerald green metallic in the live performances. Lifeson uses this guitar on songs that require that unique twangy sound, like Time Stands Still.. He thought it looked so unique with its bright-white finish, and the sound was incredible!