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 . I was born and raised in Western Pennsylvania. 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. beatbopboom. To craft his signature sound, he uses a myriad of effects pedals. His guitar, however, is a Rickenbacker with a brass neck and a 12-string neck. Be gentle. Its essentially an oversized hollow-body Les Paul. The Myth of Creation Legend has it that Russ Heinl, an old buddy of Alex's, approached him in 1986 with a prototype of a new MIDI pickup. I started this website with some of my friends who are musicians, music teachers, gear heads, and music enthusiasts so we could provide high-quality guitar and music-related content. RUSH - Authorized Replicas Of Alex Lifeson's Hentor Sportscaster Guitar See the full list of notable Alex Lifeson Guitars below. The model name is "Alex Lifeson Axcess Les Pauls Gibson" and it includes, among other things, a tremolo handle as well as special pickups (microphones). Always interesting to see these builds - Alex definitely had a bunch of different "looks" for his Strats over the years before evolving to that somewhat "final" white Hentor. The Signature brand guitars were equal in quality to Schecters or Perfomance at that time, and they are even rarer. Sure thats the 4th one and not just some start they had around for the shoot? To make sure everything matched onstage, Lifeson had his Hughes & Kettner cabinets built to look like steampunk machines, complete with copper piping, gauges, and even a small television screen. The Gear Page is the leading online community and marketplace for guitars, amps, pedals, effects and associated gear. Over the years, Lifeson has used almost countless Gibson Les Pauls on stage and in the studio. Strat Talk is the leading online community and marketplace for Stratocaster guitars. Home Guitarists Alex Lifeson Guitars and Gear List (2023 Update). Lifeson uses the Gibson HRF for songs like Hemispheres, Tom Sawyer, and Camera Eye.. Surprisingly, Alex Lifeson is mostly self-taught. I have no idea if they used the guitars, but Rush and Lifeson were given (IIRC) two custom built stratocasters by Ted Veneman of Veneman Music, probably built by John Warden. First Warmoth Build - Hentor Sportscaster In the rock and roll world, theres hardly anything cooler than a double-necked guitar. EUR Reproduction of any part of this website without direct permission is prohibited. Like with his guitars, Lifeson has gone through a few amps over the years. I updated the permissions on the media folder so hopefully that fixes the issue. My background is in Electrical Engineering, earning a Bachelors degree from Youngstown State University. You must log in or register to reply here. This setup carried Lifeson all the way through the Moving Pictures tour in 1981. Anyone know the details of that white strat with the black pickguard he used for a while? Shop the RUSH Backstage Official Store Rush's Alex Lifeson to Auction Guitars, Gear, and Memorabilia The sound engineer also blends the amps together to get the perfect sound from backstage. 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. Hello my fellow Rush fans! Thanks, I could not see from the photos if there was a gap and that you had put the pickup ring underneath. In the early 90s, Lifeson picked up a black PRS CE24. You might struggle to find exactly what you want from a Squier, they made a HSS Floyd strat but in very small numbers and only once or twice that Im aware of. Lifeson loved the way a 12-string sounded for certain songs, but being in a three-piece band, he couldnt give up the ability to play lead on a six-string. I put a top-bearing bit on the router and after the first two passes i was able to take the template off the guitar to get to the final 1.25" depth. In addition to the Hiwatt 100s, Lifeson also used a Fender J.B.L. Visit our corporate site (opens in new tab). For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. including the Gibson ES-355TD nicknamed "Whitie" a built-in custom guitar from 1976, and the Hentor Sportscaster guitar, built for him in 1980. It requires routing a pocket for the switch and two channels for the new wiring location. I'm not familiar with the original that inspired this build, but I can still tell that this turned out exceptionally nicely! The 1210 is a spatial expander and chorus flanger that helps Lifeson create his unique Rush sound. He also had black and CAR Strats with almost identical setups. I've read he used Floyd Rose tremolos with and without the fine tuners, and there are versions with the cream-colored humbucker and some with the black and chrome humbucker. Early FR bridge? I've found someone who's willing to lend me their router and bits, and I'll be spending part of my weekend prepping the body for surgery, taking measurements and drawing stencils and such. That's some impressive knowledge John C. Didn't he use a white one like that during the recording and touring of Moving Pictures? It has been my main guitar and is the iconic Alex Lifeson guitar." . It was such a close replica to the original that Gibson included all the scratches, knicks, and even the cracked headstock from Lifesons original! The cheapest option is to buy an old body with the right routing for the pickups and start there, though you will have to compromise on something whether its having a Floyd recess, the color, etc. 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. 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". Theres no guitar player that sounds exactly like Alex Lifeson. Im along for the ride. The words Fender, Telecaster, Stratocaster and the associated headstock designs are registered trademarks of the Fender Musical Instruments Corporation. Rush guitarist Alex Lifeson, who is gearing up to release a debut album with new project Envy of None, is giving his . is it the Signature guitar he was using? It has been my main guitar and is the iconic Alex Lifeson guitar," said the 68-year-old guitarist in a statement. These two upgrades as well as others are listed in my OPTIONS category. A plethora of used guitar gear and other memorabilia belonging to Rush guitarist Alex Lifeson is set to go on sale via Julien's Auctions in May. I have no idea. Since its creation in 2011, this guitar has become one of Lifesons primary players. For a good chunk of the 1980s, Alex Lifeson used a mysterious guitar called a Hentor Sportscaster. Thats how a three-piece rock band can produce sounds that even five-piece bands would struggle with! Shortly after he bought his first proper guitar, Alex Lifeson also picked up a 1974 Gibson Les Paul Standard following Rushs first tour in 1976. Pretty much all he used from the Fenders were the Strat bodies and neck/middle single coils. . He loved the feel and tone of the guitar, and it easily became his primary player for years to come. Hello my fellow Rush fans! Don't mind the trace lines for 3 single coil pups - that's just habit. The 3 way Gibson switch is super simple and more intuitive than soldering a 5-way blade selector - the routing to place the switch on the lower horn will be a bit of work of course, but perfectly doable with a hand drill. What Guitar Does Alex Lifeson Use? - Guvna Guitars Alex Lifeson Hentor Sportscaster replicas now available - Rush Is A Band For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. The neck also has a rounded Axcess profile to help Lifeson reach the higher frets more easily. The guitar is expected to sell at auction for between $100,000 and $200,000. A quality build and a much better price than to have one made for you. It has been my main guitar and is the iconic Alex Lifeson guitar." Another notable guitar hitting the auction block is the 1980 custom-built Hentor Sportscaster electric guitar used on the recording of Rush's albums following Moving Pictures. ), Gibson three way switch on the lower horn, 5 way with that? First, the Hentor Sportscasters pickup toggle switch was located on the horn of the guitar, similar to a Gibson. This program is designed to provide a way for websites to earn advertising fees by linking to Amazon. Watch this gear and we'll notify you if it becomes available again. 1 of 2 Go to page. Hard to imagine he was 27 at the time. Hello my fellow Rush fans! Alex Lifeson loves to have piezo pickups and dual outputs built into his guitars. It deserves to be played and need to thin out the inventory. The Alex Lifeson Les Paul Axcess is a very unique guitar. It may not display this or other websites correctly. Regular price $ . In 2010, the band wanted to go for a steampunk vibe. PROPERTY FROM THE ARCHIVES OF ALEX LIFESON, Register to Bid by Phone, Proxy, or in Person. Replica Pat Martino 2015 - Honeyburst . Up next, I'll be shielding the cavity, drilling the hole in the pickguard for the new switch location and then wiring it up. Special exhibitions will be held in Los Angeles and New York for the public to view highlighted items from the auction the week commencing April 11. 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 . Along with his fellow Rush bandmates, Geddy Lee and Neil Peart, Lifeson was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2013, was made an Officer of the Order of Canada, and is ranked 98th on Rolling Stones 100 Greatest Guitarists list. Geddy Lee also has a set of Moog Taurus Bass Pedals on his pedalboard, preset with different sounds. Alex Lifeson Hentor Sportscaster Mini Guitar Model Officially Licensed Officially Licensed - HANDCRAFTED with all the details just like Alex's famous guitar! Germany, RUSH: Progressive Power Trio RUSH in their early . not a floyd on it though odd it has two HBs and not the HSS like the others. Alex Lifeson equipment | Rush Wiki | Fandom MERCH STORE : https://my-store-cf98db.creator-spring.com/MAILING ADDRESS:Justin & Camilla Panariello1536 Rio De Janeiro AveBOX #201Punta Gorda, FL 33983My Wi. One of the greatest rock groups of all time, selling more than 40 million records worldwide during the bands four-decade history. In 2008, Freddy Gabrsek, a luthier based in Niagra-on-the-Lake, Ontario, requested permission to replicate and sell Alex Lifeson's white Sportscaster. The keys are elongated so Lifeson can press them with his feet while still playing guitar. Amps, pedals, guitars, bass, drums, microphones, studio, and recording gear, I love it all. What is giving Ronnie Wood his tone in this song? Always make certain the base is flat on the surface. GUITARIST. Alex Lifeson Hentor Sportscaster Replica Guitars Now Available A 1980 custom 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." This guitar was favored by . While in my possession over the last few months I made suggestions to Alex on upgrading the guitar. Ultimate Hentor Sportscaster Fans Discussion - The Rush Forum Will include my original invoice, certificate of origin, and comes with high end black case. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. The Hentor now sports Dimarzio single coils and also a large brass sustain block for the Floyd Rose, the biggest one Ive seen and yet there is still a good amount of movement available. If you arent confident with wiring 920D and plenty of others can provide you with a good quality wiring harness for ~$80. I'm getting ready to tackle one of these as well - it's more of an "homage" than an exact copy of any particular instrument. Buy 1, get 2 15% off. The pickups were swapped out with DiMarzios for the rhythm and bass positions and a Bill Lawrence L-500 in the back position. Reverb is a marketplace bringing together a wide-spanning community to buy, sell, and discuss all things music gear. Hentor Sportscaster Build Overview - YouTube You could probably do it with a drill and then rout a couple of channels by just lining up a couple of strips of wood to act as a template. The Lifeson Signature model also had a fine-tuning Floyd Rose-type bridge. Alex Lifeson of Rush is going to auction off some of his iconic guitars JULIEN'S AUCTIONS BEVERLY HILLS PUBLIC EXHIBITIONLOCATIONJulien's Auctions Beverly Hills257 N. Canon DriveBeverly Hills, CA 90210, Exhibition: Monday, April 11th, 2022 Friday, April 15th, 2022Daily: 11:00 a.m. 5:00 p.m. Pacific TimeFree to the Public, JULIEN'S AUCTIONS NEW YORK PUBLIC EXHIBITION& LIVE AUCTION LOCATIONHard Rock Cafe New York1501 Broadway-Times SquareNew York, NY 10036, Exhibition: Monday, May 16th, 2022 Friday, May 20th, 2022Daily: 11:00 a.m. 9:00 p.m. Eastern Time dailyFree to the Public, PROPERTY FROM THE ARCHIVES OF ALEX LIFESONFriday, May 20th, 2022Session I (Lots 1-466): 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time, MUSIC ICONSSaturday, May 21st, 2022Session II (Lots 467-856): 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time, MUSIC ICONSSunday, May 22nd, 2022Session III (Lots 857-1357): 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time, Phone: (310) 836-1818 | Fax: (310) 742-0155Email:info@juliensauctions.com. The pickups were Alnico II replicas of the legendary 1950s PAF humbuckers that made Lifesons original 355 sound so good. He has spent so many years experimenting with different guitars, amps, and effects, that its nearly impossible for anyone to recreate. RUSH's ALEX LIFESON To Auction Off Guitars Used Throughout His Career To make the guitar even cooler, it has two output jacks. but there's no way you're getting that solo with a 355. Of course, seeing such an unknown guitar rocking stages all over the world, guitar players everywhere were trying to figure out what the heck a Hentor Sportscaster was! Unfortunately, the Alex Lifeson Memphis ES-355 is no longer in production, but if youre lucky, you can still find a few for sale floating around the internet. Hi folks, New member to the forum here and wanted to share some pics from my first Warmoth build - a replica Hentor Sportcaster, based on the Fender Stratocaster that was the predecessor to the actual Hentor. How does the L500 sound? This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register. Lifeson runs that second output into the piezo switcher on his pedalboard, so he can turn the piezo on and off with the touch of his foot. Before we get much further, let's all acknowledge there is no one definitive "Hentor Sportscaster" since it was just a name Alex Lifeson gave to his variously modified Strats. Bringing back memories. The Whitey Gibson ES-355TD is expected to fetch between $200,000 and $300,000. That way, he can easily blend in the piezo or use it for straight acoustic sound. The Gibson HRF looks like Gibson took a Les Paul and threw some ES-335 into it. * A 1980 custom Hentor Sportscaster played by Lifeson on most Rush albums since "Moving Pictures, . As he said in an interview with Total Guitar, Theres nothing particularly special about it, but it has 24 frets, and I needed it for a song.. Lifeson picked up one of their mandolins to use for a handful of songs, and sometimes, for only part of a song. Rush's Alex Lifeson Is Auctioning His Guitars + Memorabilia - Loudwire I havent been to a Rush concert in decades but in the late 70s, early 80s, I saw them every time they came to town. The experts in contemporary and pop culture. The Les Paul and the ES-335 became his two primary players through the rest of the 1970s and cemented his love for Gibson guitars, hollow-bodies, and Les Pauls. He even uses it during Rushs induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Fax: 310-742-0155, A 1976 custom-built Gibson ES-355TD, aka Whitey, played by Lifeson throughout most of his career with Rush. You can see this guitar in action throughout most of Rushs history, all the way from the 1970s in The Trees music video, through more recent tours, like on Working Man from the Time Machines Tour in 2011 (Lifeson really shreds on this one!). There just isnt another guitar player like him. Of course, seeing such an unknown guitar rocking stages all over the world, guitar players everywhere were trying to figure out what the heck a Hentor Sportscaster was! When you think of Alex Lifeson, you either picture him with a Les Paul or his white ES-355. Excellent items are almost entirely free from blemishes and other visual defects and have been played or used with the utmost care. Next Last. I decided to listen to more experienced voices and I cut a template from 1/4 inch medium density fiberboard. The only difference is that the finish was taken off the neck to help with playability. So many people have said Alex used a "Gibson switch" or "Les Paul style switching" that I went out and got a Les Paul switch. A 1980 custom 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. This guitar was favored by Lifeson as his primary instrument for soloing in particular the solo for the bands hit single Limelight, and can be seen in the music videos for Vital Signs, Countdown, and Enemy Within. The Sportscasters heavy yet versatile sound embodies Rushs bold sonic explorations of the 1980s and Lifesons growth as a soloist during this time. So first things first, I needed do some neck and bridge work while I waited for the parts I ordered (we'll get to all that in a later post). 70s style strat body finished in nitro lacquer. He's a metalhead through and through, but has a thorough appreciation for all genres of music. The solution was a double-necked guitar that had both! I really like that it retains its overall Stratocaster-ness but is also has some unique features. Im a fan of Alex Lifeson and Rush. Wow.and I thought I was a Rush dork!! I'll . After he picked it up around 1980, the HRF became one of his primary players for the next few tours and albums. A subscription makes a thoughtful gift for both family and friends. A portion of the proceeds will go to the Grapes Under Pressure charity. Another guitar up for bids, Lifeson's 1980 custom-built Hentor Sportscaster electric guitar. Regular price $49.99 Alex Lifeson Signature ES-355 Gibson Alpine White Miniature Guitar Model. For a limited time, save in the Gibson European Demo ShopUp to 25% off select Gibson guitarsShop now, View similar gear from other sellers on Reverb. Btw, to answer your other question, to route an American standard 2 pole or a vintage routed body for a Floyd, you will need to fill the cavities and drill new holes then refinish. A 1980 custom 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." This guitar was favored by . This was Lifeson's favorite guitar to use during the recordings . In 1976, Lifeson took a tour of the Gibson factory in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Its an HSS, two knobs (volume / tone) with a Floyd rose non fine tuner trem (no locking nut). Bath I held them together with double stick tape, and then I stuck the template on the guitar with the same double-stick tape. There have been various discussions over the years, for those looking to build their own replicas of Alex's customized Strats, and not only do I want . From about 2000 on, he used Gibsons almost exclusively, most of them being Les Pauls. and volume and tone? I'm a huge Rush fan and Alex Lifeson was the reason I picked up a guitar. The words Fender, Telecaster, Stratocaster and the associated headstock designs are registered trademarks of the Fender Musical Instruments Corporation. Fender Sportscaster" Alex Lifeson Stratocaster Tribute 2018 - Reverb Check the other thread I linked to in the post above yours, there is more detail on how it looks. 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. There's also a 1992 PRS CE bolt-on neck guitar which was heavily used on Rush's 1993 album, Counterparts, and its accompanying tour which is expected to fetch between $50,000 and $70,000. The attention to detail shows, and I can only imagine what a special instrument this must feel like, how much pleasure it must bring just to look at it. Nice job. JavaScript is disabled. (Image credit: Julien's Auctions) Another highlight of the auction is a 1980 custom-built Hentor Sportscaster electric guitar, used during the recording of several Rush albums, in particular on 1984's Grace Under Pressure, where it was Lifeson's main recording guitar.. The neck is one of those sturdy Charvel maple numbers that's nice and straight, but I had a high fourth fret that caused a nasty buzz. Alex Lifeson selling the white ES355 and the Hentor- and much more. By continuing to use Reverb, you agree to these updates, and to our cookie policy. Welcome to the all-new home of Alex Lifeson on the web. It looked like a Fender Stratocaster with a few stark differences. These three instruments are expected to sell for five figures each. Please let me know if you are still having problems. the horizontal brace says Feb 25th 1978 Carnaby Road Gardena, A lot less expensive than the excellent "Hentor Sportscaster" replicas made by Freddy Gabrsek. Then I found where Freddy G. said the wiring is Bridge/Neck + Middle/Neck, and I can't for the life of me figure out how . Once Rush started hitting it big, Alex Lifeson went out and bought a Fender Super Reverb amp. A 1980 custom 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. With a router, you have to do a multitude of shallow passes going slightly deeper each time. Signature is the brand not to be confused with a fender signature strat. i know he was endorsed by them back then. Home - Alex Lifeson The other thing to consider is your humbucker will want a 500k pot and the Dimarzio single coils will want to see a 250k pot, but theres an easy workaround for this using a resistor for the singles coil positions. Hentor Sportscaster Alex Lifeson RUSH Stratocaster Tribute. The reversed jack cup was a not uncommon mod at one point, as it allowed you to plug a cord with an L plug into it. For a good chunk of the 1980s, Alex Lifeson used a mysterious guitar called a Hentor Sportscaster. 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. He has well over 15 years of guitar playing under his belt, as well as a degree in Music Technology (Mixing and Mastering). Although he doesnt play his signatures anymore, he did install a signature pickup into one of his primary PRSs he still brings on tour. A 1980 custom Hentor Sportscaster that was the main . Oct 8, 2022. Excellent items are almost entirely free from blemishes and other visual defects and have been played or used with the utmost care. It has the same pickups, bridge, and hardware that youd find on any 52 reissue. Based on your location, we've changed your settings: Shipping Region: GOLFER. I cant remember which forum I was on, but there were several threads that mentioned that this was how Alex had it wired up with the three way mod. Alex Lifeson - en.faceoffrockshow.com While Lee and Peart are critical to the band's success . California There is no back plate on the guitar, consistent with the original model. Alex Lifeson has always been experimenting with his guitars and equipment. Since he already got his signature ES-355, this time, he opted for a solid body. The name came from Peter Henderson, who co-produced Grace Under Pressure. Yet another Hentor Sportscaster project - Telecaster Guitar Forum The black one is exclusive to Alex, you wont be able to find a signature model of that one in stores!
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