Alex Lifeson: A Tale of Two Tones

In the words of Jason Segel, "Dude! Rush is greatest rock band of all time!", at the heart of the greatest rock band of all time is, of course, Alex Lifeson.
In this episode of A Tale of Two Tones, we took on the unenviable task of breaking down the tones of Alex Lifeson, with a career spanning 50 years we could have tackled a number of different eras of Alex Lifesons tones - so it was tough to distill it down to just two, but we gave it a go and we're very pleased with the results.
To cover the tones of the band for around the first 8 years, up until 2112 in 1976 we used a no-nonsense rig of a Gibson ES-345 into a Dr Z Z-Lux, with some choice pedals listed below to cover the classic/blues rock angle that the band were in at the time. We think this rig sounds absolutely killer.
In Rig B we thought we would cover a broader spectrum of sound, mostly focused on more of Alex Lifeson's live sound from the 80s onwards. Although he does have various Gibson models of course, it is not uncommon to see Lifeson adorning a range of PRS models on stage. So we decided to go down that route to enable us to cover a wide range of his tones, it helps that this particular Custom 24 comes loaded with a Piezo pickup as well as a pair of 85/15 humbucking pickups!
We're really pleased with the huge range of tones we were able to cover with these two fantastic rigs, and think we have really captured the essence of Alex Lifeson's tones in these rigs too. We would love to know what you think of them in the comments below.
We're really enjoying this A Tale of Two Tones series and we love your input so please make sure to let us know who YOU want to see in this series in the comments below too!
Check out the gear used here:
Rig A:
Gibson Custom range - bit.ly/33faWlo
DR Z Z-Lux Head - bit.ly/2G12Cgk
Jim Dunlop GCB95 Crybaby Wah - bit.ly/30gNmCT
Mad Professor Tiny Orange Phaser - bit.ly/34cXGg8
MXR Six Band EQ Silver - bit.ly/3idlS7f
Strymon Brigadier dBucket Delay - bit.ly/30g1yf6
Rig B:
PRS Custom 24 Piezo Black Goldburst 85/15 - bit.ly/3cIb7IW
Mesa Boogie Triple Crown TC-100 - bit.ly/3kVjIec
Origin Effects Cali76-CD Cali 76 Compact Deluxe - bit.ly/3l3jcuR
Boss DC-2W Dimension C Waza Craft - bit.ly/3ibVwCv
Line 6 HX Effects - bit.ly/3ib4jEJ
Amazingly, you can watch this video in less time then it would take to listen to the entirety of the song 2112... with THREE minutes to spare! I'm quite pleased about that...
Jack’s KZbin channel: / jackgriffithsmusic
Jack’s Instagram: @jackgriffithsmusic
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[@ricardocastillo5485]

Any other guitar player starts a song, it's gonna be riffs, licks, solos. Alex Lifeson starts a song, you know you're in for an adventure in unique creativity, a musical story.

[@n0ah_m309]

2112 and Xanadu are definitely 2

[@RobLuttrell]

That is the truth!

[@Luthiart]

Alex doesn't merely play rhythm and lead, he creates colors, and textures, and atmospheric landscapes. He serves the music more than any other guitarist I can think of, and he's criminally under-rated.

[@shantanunathan]

This is literally the best description of Alex that I've ever read!

[@markusaurelius777]

Bigtime !!!

[@TheRealcdawg22]

​@@markusaurelius777Hey! You've got my thing.

[@Ray.J]

Plus, he is one of the nicest people in the business.

[@1bubinga]

Sums it up perfectly.

[@Jaggedknife11]

God damn I wish there was a love button instead of just like. Lifeson is a true inspiration. He's the definition of having a unique style without just being straight weird.

[@RodRanDusted]

As a guitarist for over 40 years, I often tell people learn the Rush catalog and your ready for about any musical situation that might come your way

[@InspiretoVictory]

Now all you need is Geddy's washer and dryer up there for the full effect, lol.

[@drcks]

dont forget the chicken rotisserie!

[@andysmith5125]

Awesome job Jack....Having been into Rush since 1977 it's great to see that AL is still appreciated as a great guitarist. Overall I think you nailed the tones and its great to see a Gibson ES345 being used. Well done Peach Guitars!!!

[@rogercardenas111]

Personal guitar hero King Lerxst. Thanks guys. Rush rocks!!!!!! RUSH!!!!!!!!!!!!! 👍😷🎸🎸🎸🥁🎶🎤🎛️🎛️🎛️🎛️🎛️

[@JRT303]

Rush are my all time favourite band of all time , mate and I think you nailed both tone eras there - excellent job as always.

[@alanbartlett6082]

Wow, this has taken me back.....Jack, in Rig A you have totally nailed the Lifeson tone and playing style. Exemplary!

[@bradmeredith7569]

Great job Jack! I really enjoy watching these videos. Rush has always been one of my favorite bands, and Alex is a monster player and innovator. Cheers!

[@memopinzon]

I love Alex Lifeson and Rush. An amazingly emotional and inventive player ofter overshadowed by the world's greatest rhythm section. P.S: Fantastic tone and playing and breakdown. Sounds amazing.

[@jezzer1969]

I was always amazed PRS never did a signature model based on the CE24. I mean he was using them for a good decade plus as a primary guitar. What a daft business move. I always like the Rio/R30 DVD’s as he wasn’t exclusively using Gibson then so there was more variation from song to song. Good set ups chap, sounds great.

[@matthewhenry122]

@@0megalul309 Very unlikely to find an early alder one like Alex played though - most you'll find are the later mahogany ones.

[@stratolestele7611]

My own boring story - Alex has such big hands, he made the necks on his CE24s look small. I had the same guitar. I bought one new in the 90s and sold it about 10 years later - I haven't missed it for a second since then. I was going to replace the rotary switch with a 3-way toggle (was/is a popular mod), but parted ways as I didn't care for the wide-skinny neck and never really bonded with it. I've been through several PRS' over the years. My only remaining PRS is my '00 Singlecut which is magnificent and I'll never sell.

[@scottnewellguitar]

I'd argue that Neil was the heart, but Alex is a legend no doubt!! Underrated genius.

[@DarthDookie69]

Neil was the mind and Alex was the heart. And of course Geddy was the voice.

[@hermanhelmich]

Neil was ‘the brain’ Ged ‘the heart’ Alex ‘the soul’ imo

[@roscoepcoltrane23]

Alex had the best tone live I’ve ever heard. It was kind of a shocker how good his sound was that night. Ian Thornley would be a good one for this series.

[@timjx3675]

Very smart breakdown of Lifeson early and later tones 🎸👍

[@pitpride1220]

He also went through a pretty extensive Frankenstrat period. I think Signals through Power Windows roughly.

[@sonor72]

Early rush was also traynor amps! Canadian made !!

[@ssstenning]

Nailed it Jack, you look like you were really into it especially rig one.

[@Eventual420]

Beautiful interpretations of Alex’s progressive style. Applause. 👏

[@yagoravell7944]

My biggest influence, Mr Lerxst, thanks for the videos, the sounds are really spot on 👏👏👏👏👏

[@JBASH2011]

One of my top 5 players ever, though not a big fan post-Signals of the band's work. Loved the early rig demo. I chased his tones for many moons. He was so all over the place with amps- Fenders, Marshalls, and he often used them double tracked in the studio (Temple of Syrinx =perfect example of the Super). I personally love his Hi-Watt phase the best tonally- AFTK tour- those live shows. Yikes, what a massive tone. Great job as always Jack!. Try finding a Heptode "Virtuoso" pedal. I think Heptode is still around for Peach to look into. It's a clone of a Maestro-phase. I own one after going through all the EHX Stone, and MXR variants/clones, which I just could not get quite right to Alex's tone. The Virtuoso was not cheap, but nails that early Lifeson phase sound and you get the John Paul Jones "No Quarter" tone as a bonus! :o) Peach Rocks!

[@robertthomas7239]

Alex didn't use Hi-watt on AFTK. Not on the album or tour.

[@bp.4928]

@@robertthomas7239 it was the Marshall Club & Country wasn’t it?

[@CreeperSkullDZ]

post signals is my favorite rush lol

[@stuartmiller7419]

One of your top five players ever, yet you're not a big fan of over half of his output, over the majority of his career span. Sorry, but that's just weird.

[@JBASH2011]

@@stuartmiller7419 I don't see how. Not everyone likes everty artists entire body of work. What is weird is responding to my post I made a year ago.

[@TheRealThomasPaine1776]

That was great! I was a bass player in a rush cover band so I can tell you you really nailed it!

[@zeronyne]

Dude, you are a really solid player! Very nice tone and technique.

[@scottallen9556]

You are so very well suited for this gig. I don't know if this is turning into the major focus of your musical career but we are benefiting from this. At the risk of seeming selfish, I hope you consider increasing your content output to more even longer videos?

[@ProfVonW]

Great video. Would have been nice to see the pedals/settings though.

[@guyr.c.606]

Following such a virtuoso is never easy but you did a fine job, thank you

[@spybond007]

Amazing demonstration.

[@michaelmiller-ce4du]

I see Jack. Hear the first couple of amazing notes and hit “like”! One of the best players on the world!

[@crazyforbeingsane611]

OMG YOU LISTENED!!!!! THANKS THANKS THANKS!!

[@Sickofsociety1]

Everyone was always going on about EVH and his contributions are undeniable but Alex Lifeson for me is far and away my favorite guitar player because he never sounded like anyone else. He had his own tone and never tried to sound like anyone else. His playing wasn't all about speed and a million notes a second. Yet he could shred with the best of them. He didn't dive bomb every harmonic and over exaggerate his tremelo use. His solos were always well thought out and every note he played always had so much feeling.

[@angel.rocknroll8000]

Very well explained, nice! interpretation is very free though, didn't hear much Alex here, but his sound yes!

[@MillyWhatever]

Great series! Only suggestion is to add shots of the pedalboard as well for those of us who are more visual learners!

[@AdamGotheridge]

Great job. Wasn't expecting that out of the z-lux, and the mesa did it's thing well too.

[@budgetguitarist]

Great sounds! Alex played a Super Strat a real lot for a while, but I'm glad that he got back to the Gibson/PRS thing.

[@curragh4635]

The hentor sportscaster was the best guitar tone he ever had

[@jaredbracci3529]

Hey, guys yes, loved the SportCaster tone - amazing! ALEX was also using 50 what Marshal Clubman’s during the Pictures and Signals period. He felt they blended better with the keys. Another great example of Alex being a true original .

[@ianbell1314]

You are turning into fine guitarist young man!

[@alexmurphy5289]

My favorite musician along with Geddy. The mad professor is incredible and great choice I have it too holy crap!! Massive rush fan and only 30 years old saw them four times. More importantly I’m so happy to hear he used a fender cranked I had no idea

[@johnsisson2]

What settings do you have on the mad professor for Rush songs?

[@Boldaslove71]

I came here for the Alex Lifeson, but I have to say Jack, normally I'd want to hear you playing Alex's riffs note for note. You did a real nice job playing both your inspired licks and Alex's and showing off the 'sound'.

[@gregcormier2379]

Great representation of the two tones predominately used by Alex. For me, his use of Vibrato, arpeggios, and open string chords are his lasting legacy. I wish he had done more on the PRS but he did always get a nice fat tone out of his Gibson. I'd love to hear you do an approximation of Eric Johnson for a future reaction.

[@Shark_Sandwich]

This series is really a significant cut above 'Sound Like...' - tones wise it is in a different league.

[@lloydgriffiths1847]

How the hell did I miss this?!

[@Wakeman8791]

This guys playing was incredible.

[@adam872]

Loved the second tone in particular. It sounds huge and perfect for their music.

[@illusionclassicrock6742]

Wow, nailed it!

[@anthonyjames9711]

Nice work. Great hearing his guitar sound alone.

[@rjgalloway9425]

Nice video and nailed the tones although I'd say that the first tone was good up to 2112 (he used a 335 in early days, 355 was bought in 1976 for A Farewell to Kings and the tones in that album and Hemispheres are soaked in Roland chorus and EH Electric Mistress flanger) second tone was pretty much Permanent Waves and Moving Pictures...Signals was a fair bit different which as again was GUP, Hold Your Fire moreso...pretty much every album in the 80's evolved as he moved from Marshall Combos to Gallien Kruger solid state amps, to active pick ups on Signature guitars...then a move back to Marshall stack in the 90's and PRS guitars...a return to Gibson in 2000's alongside PRS with primarily H&K amps then shift on record to Marshall Jubilee which led to creation of Lerxst amps for touring and last album. Alex has used Mesa Boogie since the 80's however for highly US overdriven sounds on recording but not used live. Fair to say he's used a plethora of gear over the years to great effect! Great video.

[@PeachGuitars]

Hey R J, thanks for your comment, you are clearly very knowledgeable on the tones of Alex Lifeson, we're glad you enjoyed the video!

[@ducas8937]

I don't think the Electric Mistress was available during the A Farewell to Kings, just the CE-1 chorus

[@rjgalloway9425]

@@ducas8937 Yep, was around in 1976, AFTK was recorded early summer 1977

[@djpgreek]

@@rjgalloway9425 Which albums do you hear more of the mesa tone from? He used the Mark V on R40 for clean tones with the Lerxst for dirt.

[@erictouw4455]

Didn't know I needed this

[@erikpedersen5218]

From Fly by night to 3112, he used Fenders in the studio Also. He did use the varitone with a mini toggle switch on the es 355 to bypass the varitone.

[@maxtrod1]

You gotta do EVH now! His “brown sound” with Roth compared to his more modern sounding tone with Sammy. RIP to the GOAT

[@TheRealThomasPaine1776]

I'm not an expert although I've been listening to rush for 45 years, and I was the bass player in a rush cover band. But I'd be very curious to hear how if the guitars were switched through the effects how close they would come to mimicking the same sound. Meaning, if I had the Gibson or a similar guitar how close could I come to capturing the sound of his later stuff if I had the right effects. I know the guitar has a lot to do with it but effects today are so powerful. I'd be very curious to hear.

[@janders3205]

Yes, the early days: 50 watt Marshall with the super reverbs (the plexi channel of a Friedman small box and a dr z ezg 50 sounds amazing) and a wah, maestro phase shifter (sounded thick) and an echoplex… also Gibson Howard Roberts at one point…and I remember the early, big, boss chorus…ce-1? What a rock sound. He had a volume pedal too maybe 2112. I remember seeing Marshall combos later and hiwatt amps at one time. He’d clean up with the guitar volume. I think he used a fuzz face as well.

[@TheRealcdawg22]

The Gibson ES-355 that Lifeson is associated with is from 1977. First heard on A Farewell To Kings. That is a year later than the era that you said that you are trying to reproduce. Sure, he was playing semi-hollow bodied Gibsons throughout that era. However, you are the one who specifically brought it up not really knowing the specifics. That Mesa sounds fantastic. I like your playing even though it wasn't all Rush.

[@michaelscarn3258]

now there’s only one thing I need... JIMMY PAGE

[@DocBhoy]

I would love to hear your interpretation of the more "diaphanous" tones that were used on the Peter Collins produced albums - Power Windows and Hold Your Fire - they seem quite tricky to reproduce

[@escargotomy]

Don't know if any other one commented, Alex actually never used the Varitone on his 355. Not long after acquiring the iconic white one he had a mini-toggle installed to bypass the Varitone circuit entirely. I have a red Lucille and if anyone's ever messed with a Varitone you quickly see there are few settings that anyone would consider very "musical".

[@Smurfman256]

Put the chorus in front of the amp instead of in the FX loop. Trust me, you'll immediately get there.

[@davearthur4683]

See him in the bars in Toronto in the 1970-he use Marshall

[@winstonlane708]

Alex Lifeson Guitar 🎸 god

[@ahcubac]

Very nicely done. I would just add that Alex gravitated somewhat to single coil pickups in the eighties, both strats/strat clones (Hinter Sportscaster!), and his tele which he used extensively for writing. However, many of his strats had a humbucker in the bridge. Someone mentioned the Gallien Kruger amps he used in the 80's as well as the marshall combos and HiWatt used some on signals (New world Man for one). The point is, Alex used a LOT of different gear over the years!

[@nicoladolby2154]

Really great sound! Loved the early days tone, you completely nailed that one. La Villa Strangiato is one of my favourite tracks ever, shame you couldn't play it because of copywrite.

[@druwk]

Alex Lifeson is ONLY known for his work in the band RUSH! 😂 Not as successful in nailing the tone? Love the series. Jack is an amazing draw for Peach. Really great player. Agree on the favorite era question? AL is an amazingly innovative and influential player. Thanks for the post.

[@bluessumlin...7067]

Rush one of those bands l never quite got😮 but can appreciate them has great musicians.. Jack 1st rig was my favourite and usual super playing ☺

[@Donnie_Thornberry]

That's a beautiful finish on your PRS.

[@jmeakin4]

Excellent reverse engineering of Alex's tone method! May you add any insight as to what he does for that unique 'Spirit of Radio' intro? I've gotten in the ballpark by adding a phaser to the flanger, but it's not quite right. My bud swears a compressor's involved and thinks there may be a tad of wah too. What say you?

[@superalvedon97]

I reckon Joe Bonamassa would also be a good candidate for "A Tale of Two Tones"

[@pathackett3958]

The G-K 250ML tone towards the end :-)

[@sauropoda]

Jimmy Page would be a perfect next candidate for this series!

[@ZofoZofo]

Hi Jack. I know this was some time ago. Question do you think the CE-2W would do as good job as the DC-2W does in the second part of your Alex Lifeson tones. Really great work and I look forward to what you do next beyond Peach Guitars 🎸 I look forward to hear

[@baneverything5580]

Check out the isolated guitar for an ENTIRE Rush concert...clean tone was recorded...zero effects. You can take the track and add your own. It sounds very strange to hear him so isolated and clean. Every little flub pops out.

[@davidy80]

Great job!

[@johnlowrance8815]

You know, Alex played through Gallien - Krueger amps for a while ?

[@GuitarMan22]

Early Rush IMO- must have semi hollow 335, fender tube amp even a champ, reverb set to 5 or higher / flanger- phaser in certain circumstances - AFTK Hemisphere's or PM you'll need some chorus. MP requires a few different guitars including perhaps a strat for limelight. I mean if you are working from the standard home gear. Peavey amps you'll need a decent distortion pedal.

[@Boleskinebeatz]

Nice work.. really enjoyed this. For me it just need a slight roll off of the high end to lose some of the fizz.

[@GraniteSoundtrack]

This was just like my opinion on Rush. The beginning sounded great (rig A) but the end left me underwhelmed (rig B). Great playing as always.

[@d68st90]

Rig B is so marvelous! Delight sound to my ears!

[@sega62s]

Not sure, but if you used the Echoplex, it has some king of preamp tone that makes it unique, you should use one for a great test ❤

[@ivyhallquist3159]

Me: "Mom, can we have Heartbreaker?" Mom: "No, we have Heartbreaker at home." Heartbreaker at home: 7:07

[@johnsisson2]

What are the settings you have on the Tiny Orange Phaser for this video?

[@tonyreaux.logcabinstudio7745]

How about Gary Moore for one of your Tale of two Tones. Been following Rush since the first Album. I built Getty’s Jazz bass from scratch and I’ve got his Rickenbacker bass in the studio as well.

[@leogolive]

The semi hollow tones are the best.

[@irishguy13]

Lifeson used Hiwatts from around Farewell To Kings until Signals.

[@Orion13622]

What is the name of the song you play at 14:40?

[@crazyforbeingsane611]

Lerxst Amps...he basically got a killer silver jubilee right?

[@levig384]

I didn’t know Brendan Fraser played guitar

[@n0ah_m309]

Now I can’t afford an Es-345 or 335 but I got a hollow body gretsch in green that should work

[@winstonlane708]

THE G.O.A.T 🐐

[@joehahn8817]

I know he said in an interview years ago that he used a Roland Space Echo and an Electro-Harmonix Electric Mistress Flanger, both of which will cost you your left nut if you want to buy an original unit these days.

[@JohnShalamskas]

The Elec Lady is a good budget take on the Electric Mistress. RetroSonic and ThorpyFX are fantastic modern flangers which do the Mistress thing with better tone and more functionality, at least in the case of the ThorpyFX Camoflange.

[@Crumpet_Central_]

Cool video

[@anmolatwal]

Hey Jack, considering the Triple crown is driven, what effects are in the loop and what in the front. Nice tones by the way...i am taking inspiration from you these days!! Trying to work on the hunk of metaal that is my right hand!!

[@stevethebeeline44]

11:00mins he talks about what’s in the loop (Chorus Dimension C, Delay From Line 6 HX Effects). Cali Compressor in front of amp.

[@mikeoxlong4588]

wasnt alex's amp mostly a hiwatt?

[@rileyioacura]

Steve vai would be an awesome video!! Free’s guitarist I think his name is Paul Kossoff (sorry if I got this wrong) Billie Joe Armstrong Steve lukather (i can’t remember if you’ve already done that one) Mark tremonti Johnny highland Slash (bc rich and Les Paul)

[@snapascrew]

I hope that’s an alder body bolt on PRS you’re playing....

[@uberanalysis2599]

Rush to 2112 tone 6:32 to 10:04 A Farewell to Kings to Permanent Waves tone 13:49 to 16:15

[@sweetmiracle12]

What about Rik Emmett from Triumph .

[@nicholaslatsaras3631]

Lerxst what can you say? I'd love to jam with him and Dirk even though I'm A bass player also too bad Pratt is no longer with us that would've been a long time dream come true.

[@JJ-mb5kt]

Do Clapton tale of 2 tones either with a les Paul or a korina explorer for cream era and then blackie.

[@curragh4635]

You want that rush tone from 79 to 82 then you need the electric mistress

[@joshuasydnee]

Great video who’s the player?

[@sigsfast]

One of the best and definitely underrated.

[@slimkickens]

You're correct that Lifeson didn't use Marshalls that much. But he didn't use Fenders, at least not that I've ever seen. He used Hiwatts

[@lloydgriffiths1847]

god I hope Alex sees this

[@alexlifeson8946]

Maybe that 2nd tone works for Permanent Waves, but that's about it. Scoop and delay it and you could've gotten 6 more albums out of that ton

[@rileyioacura]

Nick Johnston Plini Aaron Marshall’s (Intervals)