Iconic Rush Vibes, Inspired by Gibson
The 1970s were a seminal era for experimental music, with Rush leading the charge with prog-rock classics such as Fly by Night, 2112, and Hemispheres. Now, the spirit of Alex Lifeson’s larger-than-life sound can be yours with the Alex Lifeson 1976 ES-355 Reissue from Epiphone’s Inspired by Gibson Custom collection. Based on the guitar mastermind’s 1976 Gibson ES-355TD, this semi-hollowbody electric guitar features many elements of the original, including a body made from multiple plies of maple and poplar, a maple center block, and an era-correct 3-piece maple neck with a headstock volute. You’ll also find extravagant multi-ply body binding, mother-of-pearl block inlays, and the classic Gibson-style “open book” headstock with a split-diamond inlay. Moreover, its Gibson T-Type humbucking pickups and mono Varitone circuit inject pure ’70s tone into your rig. Add in a set of die-cast tuners, a Graph Tech nut, and a harmonica-style Tune-o-matic bridge with a Maestro Vibrola tailpiece for harmonic brilliance, tuning stability, and smooth vibrato effects, and the Alex Lifeson 1976 ES-355 Reissue is primed to make you stand out in the “Limelight.”
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Tone and feel that are “Closer to the Heart”
Alex’s iconic ES-355 has been the focal point of discussion among Rush’s guitar-playing fanbase for its larger-than-life tone and visual presence, and the Epiphone Alex Lifeson 1976 ES-355 Reissue is sure to win the favor of even the most diehard fans. It all begins with multiple plies of maple and poplar for the top, back, and sides, and a maple center block that projects warmth and clarity while enhancing sustain and reducing feedback. The 3-piece maple neck and the 22-fret ebony fingerboard add crisp, snappy definition. What’s more, multi-ply binding outlines both the front and the back of the instrument, giving it a sophisticated visual profile. And true to Gibson’s Norlin-era design, a volute near the back of the headstock bolsters neck stability.
Throwback T-Type pickups project vintage power
Sweetwater’s prog-rock virtuosos couldn’t wait to get their hands on the Alex Lifeson 1976 ES-355 Reissue and play their favorite ’70s-era Rush riffs with sonic authenticity. Gibson’s T-Type humbuckers satisfy that craving for classic tone, built with period-correct specs and materials. These pickups offer PAF-style response with greater note separation, and their Alnico V magnets emphasize a brighter, more immediate attack. Furthermore, the T-Type’s dynamic, open voice allows for extreme versatility depending on your guitar and amp settings. In particular, the neck pickup warms up beautifully while retaining a top-end chime that cuts through your mix without sounding brittle.
Additionally, no ES-355 would be complete without a mono Varitone circuit, which provides a broad range of tonal versatility by cutting different midrange frequencies to suit any style of music, from rock and blues to country and beyond. Also of note, the Alex Lifeson 1976 ES-355 Reissue comes equipped with a Varitone on/off switch to bypass the Varitone circuit entirely.
Equipped for reliable performance
Behind the Alex Lifeson 1976 ES-355 Reissue’s vintage aesthetic lies a host of performance and quality upgrades that make this powerhouse ready for the gig right out of the case. To start, the fingerboard’s 12-inch radius not only stays consistent with Gibson’s slick playability, but also the Slim C profile allows for comfortable, fleet-fingered fretwork up and down the entire neck. The harmonica-style Tune-o-matic bridge and Maestro Vibrola tailpiece provide a stable, note-fluttering experience, while die-cast tuners and a harmonically rich Graph Tech TUSQ XL nut bolster string resonance and tuning stability, ensuring a highly accurate, snag-free tuning and setup experience.
Inspired by Gibson Custom: guitar history in your hands
The Gibson Custom Shop, known for its rich heritage, continues to set a high bar in terms of exceptional artistry and inspiring instruments. Reflecting a special union, Epiphone has partnered with Gibson Custom to bring meticulous craftsmanship and iconic designs to bear for modern musicians. The Inspired by Gibson Custom line puts guitar history in your hands courtesy of beautifully crafted re-creations of classic electric and acoustic instruments. Each instrument is the result of a dedicated collaboration between the companies’ respective expert luthiers to honor both Gibson’s storied legacy and Epiphone’s mission to provide musicians with accessible instruments that spark creativity.
Epiphone Alex Lifeson 1976 ES-355 Reissue Features:
- Re-creation of Rush guitarist Alex Lifeson’s 1976 ES-355TD, part of Epiphone’s Inspired by Gibson Custom collection
- 5-ply maple/poplar top, back, and sides with a maple center block provide iconic semi-hollowbody tone that’s rich with sustain
- Era-correct 3-piece maple neck with a headstock volute reinforces stability
- Slim C neck profile and 12-in. radius, 22-fret ebony fingerboard facilitate comfortable, slick playability and a snappy, bright tone
- Vintage-style Gibson T-Type humbuckers deliver a dynamic voice with clarity and bite
- Mono Varitone circuit with on/off switch unlocks an entire universe of tonal versatility
- Graph Tech nut augments harmonic richness and reduces string slippage
- Harmonica-style TOM bridge and Maestro Vibrola tailpiece allow for expressive pitch-bending flourishes with excellent stability
- Classic appointments include multi-ply body binding, a Gibson-style “open book” headstock, MOP block inlays, and a split-diamond headstock inlay
