Epiphone Alex Lifeson Les Paul Axcess Standard Demo - First Look

Dive-bombs, belly cuts, and sweet-singing split-coil tones-the Rush maestro ‪@alexlifesonofficial‬'s signature ‪@OfficialEpiphone‬ is a supreme steal too.
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#epiphone #rush #alexlifeson

[@premierguitar]

Watch Rush Rundown: bit.ly/RushRigRundown More First Look videos: bit.ly/FIrstLook Subscribe to PG's Channel: bit.ly/SubscribePGKZbin Don't Miss a Rundown: bit.ly/RIgRundownENL Merch & Magazines: shop.premierguitar.com

[@RogerBergqvist]

Alex Lifeson is a living legend. Loved Rush for a looooong time.

[@dwaynejessome1728]

Alex Lifeson is definitely a living legend and so is John Bohlinger -nicely matched pair!

[@yannick2047]

Amen

[@yannick2047]

Together with the review, John also gives a great description on how the control layout of the guitar actually works. This is something Epiphone didn’t manage to do, for instance by including a short manual as case candy, or something like that.

[@krytonsbeast]

I have one of these, absolutely superb... big Rush fan since the 70's... and my serial number, because it was made in December 2021, starts with yes.... 2112 .... chuffed to bits with that 🇬🇧

[@ScoliosisMcGee]

We can't deny that epiphone and gibson are making awesome guitars again, this one in particular sounds awesome

[@michaeleaster1815]

11:59 If you or I put a whammy bar on an LP, it would be heretical, but when you're Alex Lifeson, you set the rules... great demo!

[@AndreaAustoni]

Nah, anybody can do it.

[@theharvardyard2356]

I think it looks rad no matter who does it

[@collecter3456]

I don’t know why it’s not more popular.

[@smartboi5501]

I believe Neal Schon from Santana/Journey was the first popular guitarist to put a Floyd on a Les Paul, years before Alex. Arguably, Alex did cooler things with it though.

[@utecastronoova863]

Yes Schon has had a les Paul with Floyd years ago before Alex.

[@Junkiescum]

God damn John that tone!! Doesn’t matter if it’s clean or dirty that tone and rhythm is just so easy on the ears

[@jimhoeppner7132]

Would love to see a comparison of the Lifeson Gibson vs Epiphone!

[@awaketoevilandunafraid1783]

Became a fan of Rush in mid-70s when I was 11 years old. I never looked back man I have just always like pretty much everything they ever did. Alex lifeson looks at a guitar as a tool, and that's exactly what he created. it's a perfect instrument tool.

[@stuartmiller7419]

That said, you realised when you paid attention during their live concerts... he has a bloody big box of tools and he likes to use them all! 😁

[@michaeld2716]

I have been waiting for a comprehensive review of this guitar. THANKS.

[@davidg4536]

I’m a new electric player & this vid alone has taught me how to control my new epi lifeson. It can be a confusing guitar for a beginner. I love all the tone options! It plus my dsl40 gives me many tone choices without any other pedals, etc. beautiful playing & great vid. Thx bud!

[@eddiejr540]

Bohlinger is such a cool dude...he could make a broom handle sound good!!!!

[@angelrojasguitar2692]

Truly beast guitar ! Thanks for the amazing review !

[@blakeusry124]

Seriously guy, you’re the only person on the internet that explains the control layout on this guitar. Thanks.

[@martinclarke3562]

Great playing and great, honest review. Thanks John.

[@thejohnirvineband]

Great playing and a great review, thanks, John!

[@loganocchionero6621]

I love how honest you are in these reviews.

[@monmixer]

that piezo rolled in with the two single coils is cool. It's certainly a great country / rockabilly tone. The floyd makes up for the belly cut in weight.

[@michaelschiessl8357]

Listen to that sustain at around the 10 minute mark of the video..Just beautiful sounding guitar..Great video man!!

[@gparadis01]

Love John, always great reviews and down-to-earth personality

[@dcabinet]

Outstanding review.

[@stephenchow5161]

great demo

[@claytonphelps9911]

Nice job John, love all your interviews and Rig Rundown episodes also, very thorough , keep on rockin'

[@DreaNEO]

Bollinger !! Thank you for always bringing your A-Game!

[@eoinjennings519]

Nice review - can’t wait for mine !

[@stuartgonsal8443]

Great review, John. You’re a gem

[@richthetrashpicker-upper5244]

John you do the best reviews thank you

[@brookemccullough7490]

Alex lifeson rules his tone is amazing on those iconic songs. When I study him I'm amazed at how his grit is so articulate. ❤️Rush

[@donisys]

Thanks, John.

[@drabun1]

Ordered mine the morning they went live and it went immediately to back order. Sweetwater said I was far enough up the list that I would get one. I was figuring November at the earliest but surprisingly this afternoon it shipped! Can't wait. Huge Alex Lifeson fan. Nice demo John as always.

[@evanfitts396]

I’ll buy it off you for a mint, if you’ll part with it.

[@rodblomley8517]

AWSOME review, you are a very informative person

[@brucesguitardemos8197]

Great playing dude

[@uwemisterman]

I have the guitar ..a great guitar ..great sound ...and i love RUSH - the greatest Band on earth

[@davidsisk9013]

Out of most of all these videos My favorites are listening to John talking and playing! So awesome,thanks and god bless,I live in Fayetteville,Tn ..and to know that I live and hour or so away from so many musicians is so cool!!

[@eoinjennings519]

Finally got mine - it’s awesome !

[@edwardmiller3469]

Great Review!

[@nickforbus378]

Love the new headstock

[@mortonwilson795]

Great demo / introduction to the guitar - thanks for that! Seems really versatile - will check this out, there's one at my local Gibson / Epi stockist. The piezo sounds pretty convincing.

[@PC85X]

Is it just me that think the upper-end Epiphones are better than your average Gibson? The Epiphone and your choice of pickups and you got an outstanding guitar that is more than what anyone needs.

[@Dirge4july]

Having played both. It’s just you.

[@PC85X]

@@Dirge4july I've played both. I'd rather a top end Epi with a pickup swap and a few grand in my back pocket. Each to their own... not slagging Gibson off, they rock, but most of their line is certainly overpriced.

[@townshendshean]

I don't know about new Gibsons. My vintage one is incredible and I wouldn't sell it for the world. This Alex Lifeson model is very different and unique (which is why I bought it). They are so different I can't really compare...but they both sound excellent. The funny thing is...my old Gibson cost the same amount as this new Epiphone! Boy, I'm getting old!

[@PC85X]

@@townshendshean I agree. This model is unique, and vintage Gibson's are in a league of their own. My comment is more toward Lets say a new Les Paul Custom. There isn't enough difference to justify the cost. Even not changing the pickups in the epi - it's confirmed the burstbuckers and probuckers are identical specs, they're just produced overseas. The main reason I could justify the price is supporting home grown products rather than overseas manufacturing, but I'm British, so USA, Japan, Korea... Makes no difference to me.

[@isaiahmarquez9717]

@@PC85XIdentical specs aside, your ears will tell you otherwise.

[@TheGospelGuitarist]

My next LP for sure. Got the Peter Frampton a year ago and it is an amazing instrument. Epiphone is kill it.

[@townshendshean]

Very nice review btw...well done!

[@JimmerSD]

Good review John

[@gustavobilbao8963]

EXCELLENT. THE BEST OF ALL LES PAUL.

[@peterschaefer1665]

Great job John. I have one. Best value in a Les Paul ever!

[@charvel25]

Coll review. Good to see somebody playing the guitar well :-)

[@RogerBaxterYWGNYC]

Could not agree with you more, John - about Rush, and especially about this guitar! The sound and musical possibilities are astounding. I assumed I would want to switch the pickups, but they do indeed sound killer. I haven't tried the second "Life-o-sound" acoustic output jack (pun on Rickenbacher's old "Rick-o-sound" stereo output jack), but the ghost trem piezo, and the ability to mix it with magnetic coil signal, is an insane game changer... it feels and sounds like you're double-tracking an electric and an acoustic. This is perhaps the greatest of Alex's many inventions (usually limited to pitch-shifters and chord voicings with open strings) to make one guitar sound like two guitars! To the folks who are/were frustrated with some its many potentially confusing features, I fault the Epiphone/Gibson video content and documentation for not covering the many ways you can squeeze the amazing potential from this instrument. The piezo pot is goofy, it's down for on, which is going to drain a lot batteries out there. I had to change my 9V piezo battery out of the box, then remember to pull the piezo pot out again to turn it off... AND just remember which output jack to plug into. If you plug into the acoustic jack while not already having an amp plugged into the magnetic coils jack, the very most you'll get through your amp is radio cross-talk. ;-) These quirks aside - and we love Alex for his brilliant quirks - I am thrilled and inspired by this guitar.

[@glennevans5824]

Very nice…all your videos are really good.👍

[@townshendshean]

Got one the day it came out. Had some QC issues but I was able to fix it myself rather than send it back. Now that it's fixed, I must say...this thing is out of this world! Plays GREAT, looks GREAT, Feels GREAT...got no complaint.

[@nicksonthevet]

Good, I am worried on those QC issues

[@townshendshean]

@@nicksonthevet Hopefully if and when they start shipping them out again, you get a really nice one :)

[@LotharOfTheHillPeople]

Gibson has confirmed, the ProBucker is the same specs as a Burstbucker but made overseas. This is definitely more attractive than the $5k+ price on the originals! Might be time to finally get a Floyd-equipped guitar!

[@ronpipes1988]

They may have confirmed it, but it's not the same pickup and it doesn't sound quite the same.. Go to a store and get a Gibson with Burstbuckers and an Epi with similar specs but with the ProBuckers. Play the guitars with the same amp, same amp settings, same effects, etc. You'll find that they don't sound quite the same. Similar, but not quite the same. Get a set of Gibson Burstbuckers and put them in an Epiphone. Still doesn't sound like the Gibson with the Burstbuckers, but it sounds closer than the Epi with the Probuckers. Put the Epi Probuckers in a Gibson and it sounds like a Gibson with Epi Probuckers. No matter how you dial it in, they're not the same pups. Very similar, but just different enough. Think about it like this.....if they were indeed identical pickups in regards to specs and tone/sound, why would anyone spend the money on the Gibson pickups? If they were that good they'd have Seymour Duncan, Dimarzio, and other big name pickup brands scratching their heads. They're decent pickups and a person really wouldn't need to swap them out unless they were looking for a particular sound they weren't getting, but if you purchase one thinking that it's going to sound just like a Gibson with Burstbuckers then you might be disappointed. They're close, but there's enough of a difference.

[@PlatinumBlack90038]

@@ronpipes1988 The main difference is the vacuum wax potting ― and I can hear the small difference.

[@benallmark9671]

I’m thinking the same thing. The 59 re issue , 50’s & 60’s are genuinely great guitars as well.

[@utecastronoova863]

Yep i had a 2018 standard 60s Gibson and a 59 inspired epiphone and it's a Big tonal and playable difference. Sorry it just is. I say it's a decent guitar for 800 but there are other options in that price range like shecter. Better playing and tones.

[@twistedworld6328]

Thanks so much for the video. Just got mine today and was confused as to the control layout. No help from the Epiphone site either (that's a -1). Your video clued me right in! Keep rocking!

[@chris_beasley]

Sounds killer!

[@lifeson90]

great vid

[@christopherscranton7995]

Great review. I had to hit the subscribe button for sure. These became difficult to get, I was on a "list" but after a year I broke down and bought one from a private party for over list. Wouldn't it prove frivolous when a week later the store with the "list" called and said my guitar arrived. So, i have 2! Patience is a virtue. Anyways look forward to checking out your channel and thanks for the informative review.

[@ravendagrey]

It does have the maple cap under the veneer, and the neck pickup is a ceramic magnet. It's also noticeably thinner than a traditional Les Paul. Awesome review though and it was great hearing more than just rush tones from it!

[@gwvest]

Mine had some QC issues. The backside of the trem arm (under the bridge) was rubbing on the body route opening. I had to sand that body route wider with dremel tool so that the trem does not touch the body. The pickups were rubbing up on the body and they would not set flat and perpendicular to the rings because the pickup ring placement was too close to one side on the route. I had to dowel and re drill the pickup ring mounting holes to center the pick in the body route. After that and a setup with 9's it was good. I got some great vintage tones from the pickups. Your not going to get serious modern metal tones. But these pickups do give great clarity.

[@pinkdoughnut869]

Best guitar I’ve ever played. I’ve owned many pricey ones. This is stupid sick. Just got it.

[@roosterj2599]

There will not ever be another band who can imitate, copy or even try to cover anything Rush has ever recorded. They might as well be from another planet. Out of this world music with so many twists and directions. Each song is a story and an intricate woven tapestry. I guess you can say I like Rusg a little bit. I love Alex Lifeson's approach to the guitar. A paint brush in his hands.

[@jimlutz6691]

I shall journey over hill and dale, glade and meadow, lake and stream, bay and ocean with continued optimism that somewhere in the shire awaits "My Precious".

[@Skypie61]

Timing is everything. I'm shopping for another guitar that like my other humbuckers, has modded push/pull single coil capabilities, but I love the Piezo and the graphtech whammy bridge. A great demo video that has sold me on a purchase if the neck suits my hand... 👍🎸🎼🎵🎶

[@nicksonthevet]

Have one already? How do you like it?

[@GarySheehanMusic]

Nice video!

[@VangeliRock]

Nice picking sir. You made that thing sing.

[@nathanmarineau3993]

Dude made that thing sing!

[@billy1858]

that belly cut really suits the guitar!

[@curtjunky]

Ordered my #Epiphone #AlexLifeson from #GuitarCenter, on back order until Jan 2022... Great comprehensive review!

[@REZNAP]

John you are the last guy I’d expect to need a belly cut! Me on the other hand…

[@Doug_Seidlitz]

Pickups sound better to me than burstbuckers, and sound amazing with the piezo blended in.

[@bofuscrapshaw]

Great video! Epis are not for me but I’m glad so many people can afford and enjoy them

[@mhdz10]

I do like this Epiphone. The fact that it has the Floyd Rose and the piezo, along with all the design improvements that make it usable, friendly and comfortable, make this Epiphone the best Les Paul of 2021.

[@Im2Old4ThisShite]

I have one of these and it's not been without some considerable amount of frustration due to manufacturing defects. To get to the one that I currently own, I had to return 3 others to Gibson, which in each case, they opted to replace rather than repair. Finally, I got one that actually functions correctly, but even THIS one has its issues related to build. When using the tremolo, the head flexes A LOT. The locking Floyd nut also flexes toward and away from where it butts up against the top of the fretboard. A gap of at least 1/32 of an inch develops when diving the tremolo then returns to flush when the tremolo is released. This, while the entire head of the guitar flexes. I fully expect the head to just snap off one day while releasing a dive from the tremolo. I find the build quality and engineering of this guitar to be seriously lacking and I won't get into the piezo wires looking like they came from a $3 made in China, radio, with their "hair of your head" gauge. That said, at the $899 price point, it is a decent guitar but in my honest opinion, NOT worthy of the name engraved on the one screw nut cover......

[@BasswipeNC]

A Les Paul with a Floyd is such a crazy and unique guitar. Very worth owning.

[@peterworam9376]

This. This is what I want. Been looking for a Line 6 Variax substitute for a long time. This is it. I will never GAS again. Epiphone, get it together and PRODUCE.

[@30smsuperstrat]

I feel the same about The Tragically Hip. Completely different stylistically, but their unique take on rock and lyrics is worth a listen too, especially their early stuff.

[@benallmark9671]

Kingston in the house. ! Hip rule ! RIP GORD

[@brentstewart59]

Bolinger plays a Floyd guitar... This coffee just ain't cutting it for me. My world is turned upside down

[@Charles53412]

I know the A. L. Gibson model was probably the best all around utility guitar ever built, even passing up the PRS C-24. I believe the Epiphone model just joined the list !!

[@alexmurphy5289]

Ability to combine piezo is awesome…damn

[@johnt.mickevich2772]

Great tone - wish it was available in different finishes.

[@creamydistortion]

"Every musician owes it to themselves to listen to RUSH"... YES

[@jamesprice6381]

good ta see ya got some rocker left in ya brother! :)

[@guitmickify]

That's great, I would like to get one of those :0) OG Rush fan

[@drmidnight680-kz2le]

That super strat experience

[@lastdaysguitar]

No one except EVH himself mastered the Floyd Rose whammy like Alex.

[@gregmullins6927]

Good on you John!!,your review was 10 out of 10,you really know your stuff,what is the weight of this Beauty?

[@dipto9292]

Only These were missing....!! Now it's perfect !!

[@BedeLaplume]

It"'s a really cool and affordable quality Lespaul.. However the Godin LGXT and XTSA offered the same things years ago.. Along with an infinite access to synth patches through a midi patch selector switch..

[@kanesword9528]

That heel cut came from Neil Schon's signature Les Paul. That model was around 10k i think.

[@smartboi5501]

If you want to see a review with actual Rush and rock tones, search Daboo’s Reviews for the Epiphone Lifeson. He does a great job of nailing how this thing sounds in context with the sound it was made for. Rock and Metal, not country or old school blues.

[@nazmoking3171]

John is clearly one of the best pitchmen in the guitar world, BUT not always the best fact checker. The neck pickup is not an Alnico2 based Probucker like he claims here, it's actually an Epiphone Ceramic Pro pickup. I wouldn't have mentioned but he went on and on about the Probuckers! The bridge is a Probucker3 pickup. Nonetheless he makes it sound great.

[@patrickmccutcheon8860]

Glad you mentioned it. It’s important to have accurate information in these videos.

[@arpee915]

Epiphone has been blowing Gibson out the box!

[@stewiedarkinvisibleid]

Lifeson knows best.

[@markbass354]

COOL

[@blendernoob64]

Okay, now this is one sexy beast. I love Rush, but I am more interested in the contours on the les paul, and the Graphtech tremolo.

[@vincepuryearpuryear6913]

I need this git fiddle!

[@jamesfyffe2610]

I just got the Slash standard Epi…..love it. November burst.

[@townshendshean]

My condolences.

[@jamesfyffe2610]

@@townshendshean 😄 I’ve got over 30 guitars and have been picking away for 45 yrs…. Trust me it’s a home run.

[@SeabeeBuckeye]

@@townshendshean 🍪

[@MarkAnthony5150]

Sounds great from what I've read this type axe made by Gibson was actually designed for Mr Neal Schon? Formally, then guess somehow Alex signed on? Anyone hear or know any further info. I even heard interview with Neal about that.. Anyways great sounding guitar great demo.

[@mseitz1rr]

Alex uses a few of the DLS Effects pedals, and DLS makes a signature “Reckless Driver” pedal. Might help enhance those Alex Lifeson tones .

[@tonypoe4321]

Thanks for tossing in in some Hendrix for good measure!

[@deanmccaskill5495]

I wonder if that configuration is available without the trem.

[@theloniouscoltrane3778]

When was the Epi Alex Lifeson Signature Guitar relased? 2021 or 2022? Thanks

[@EnerGeezerSquirrel]

Okay, so, I come to this vid late*. Just regarding the part where you say: "Split or single, they have the same volume! I don't know how they did that!" There is footage here on the TOOB of Alex talking about gear where he says something like: "...so I just started playing around with the wiring and figured out a waw to integrate a piezo and be able to either mix it in with the ?HUMBUCKS? [I think...] or feed it out to the house PA through a separate jack." or words to that effect. *I did a fairly quick-&-dirty scan of existing comments and if there was mention of using the guitar with one jack outputting to rack AND the piezo to house PA to actually explore the potential of the instrument the way the Maestro did... I missed it.

[@gregaltenhofel7326]

That's kind of bad ass