As distinctive and remarkable as its namesake.

The Alex Lifeson ES-355 features a maple body, 3-piece maple neck, '57 Classic pickups with individual volume and tone controls, and a Maestro Long vibrola tailpiece. It would be the consummate prog rock machine even if it weren't the chosen axe of the Rush guitarist, but because it is, you know it's got the goods. The Vibrola is one of the least wood-invasive tremolo options, keeping the belly of this archtop guitar remarkably pristine and preserving its natural resonance. The Alex Lifeson Signature ES-355's individual volume and tone controls for each of the '57 Classic pickups give you full reign over the wide spectrum of tones of which these faithful Alnico II replicas of the 1950s PAF humbuckers are capable.

For 33 years, Rush guitarist Alex Lifeson has personified the consummate rock innovator-a sonic adventurer capable of producing mind-blowing power chords and dizzying arpeggios alike, ultimately sculpting them into huge, rich melodies and ingenious arrangements. Throughout most of Lifeson's ride to superstardom, a 1976 Gibson ES-355 has been by his side, both in the studio and on stage. With it, he has created many of Rush's breathtaking layered soundscapes, and the very same ES-355 continues to be an indispensable part of his live arsenal. This instrument is a painstaking recreation of the iconic instrument. It's Gibson's heartfelt tribute to a true modern master, and to the guitar he used to expand the definition of popular music.

The Custom Shop Difference
Passion. It burns in the heart of every guitarist who purchases a Gibson Custom Shop guitar-and it burns in the heart of every employee who helps build these world-class instruments. Gibson Custom Shop vows to continue infusing every musical instrument that passes through their doors with that same passion. From initial wood selection to final assembly, they sweat the details so that when you pick up your guitar, your dream, it exceeds every expectation you could possibly have.

Gibson Custom Alex Lifeson ES-355 Semi Hollow Electric Guitar Features:

• Body & Hardware:
• Laminated plain maple top, back and rims
• Multi-ply binding on top & back
• Adjustable wide-travel Tune-O-Matic Bridge
• Maestro Long vibrola tailpiece
• Alpine White finish
• Gold Hardware
  
  Neck & Headstock:
• 3-piece maple neck w/volute
• 22 fret ebony fingerboard
• Pearl block inlays
• Single-ply white binding
• 1960s slim taper neck profile
• 24-3 4" scale length, 1-11/16" nut width
• Grover keystone tuners
  
  Electronics & Strings:
• '57 Classic pickups
• Individual volume and Tone Controls
• 6 position Vari-Tone switch with a bypass switch
• Vintage .010 strings
• Includes Alex Lifeson Custom Shop case, certificate of authenticity

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Gibson Custom Alex Lifeson ES-355 Semi Hollow Electric Guitar

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Average of 8 User Ratings

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Get one if you can find one

Posted by Cunning Connoisseur from Oklahoma on Aug 11, 2009

Experience w/product: I own it

Reviewer's Background: hobby

Reviewer's Play Style: classic, techno, metal, blues, prog

If I were a 1 guitar person, this would be it. Feels great, plays great & has many many different sounds available. The Maestro works well, but it is not for dive bombing. First surprise was how heavy it is. Feels as heavy as an LP. I play lots of different styles & this will do anything. I really can't find any fault with it.

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Holy Grail!!!

Posted by Stew Gatz from Toronto, Canada on Dec 25, 2008

Experience w/product: I own it

Reviewer's Background: Was an Active Musician

Reviewer's Play Style: Rock

My wife was kind enough to surprise me this Christmas with this beautiful guitar. I had been tempted to buy it, but was fearful of bringing it home and having my wife see the Visa bill.

This guitar was perfect right out of the case. No finish issues - frets all in order, no paint issues, etc. Plug this mother of a guitar into the rig and off we went. Nothing beats the sound of this guitar through a Marshall stack. Lots of big meaty and thick sounds. On a sound spectrum, this is on the other end of a Tele. It's thicker than concrete. Beautiful.

For playability, I thought that this heavy guitar would pose some issues, but there I was, mimicking every Lifeson solo I've memorized for the last 30 years. OK, so it does Rush tunes well. Well, it should.

But then, I tried some good old fashioned shredding. My veiled & hacked attempts at Vai, Randy Rhodes and Satch came off well. The slim 60s neck made it all easy to play.

When I die, I want this in the coffin with me. I am fortunate enough to own 20+ high end guitars, and without doubt, this is the ONE.

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Found # 53

Posted by JBRAD from Orcutt, CA on Aug 30, 2008

Experience w/product: I own it

Reviewer's Background: Music is my hobby and my life

Reviewer's Play Style: Heavy Metal

Only 300 will be made an I wanted to find a low number. My Alex #53 is awesome. Probably one of my most versatile guitars. It can do any type of sound from jazzy cool sounds to all out heavy metal. I'm using it through a Marshall 4203 and an avt50. My best friend bought #43 when they first came out. He finger picks better than me and can play some Rush songs with such accuracy that it sounds like I've got Alex right next to me! If you're a Rush fan like we are, this beast is a must.

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My baby

Posted by Lucky from Seattle, WA on Jul 20, 2008

Experience w/product: I own it

Reviewer's Background: Hobbyist

Reviewer's Play Style: Variety

This guitar fulfills a dream. At my current age I no longer idolize my favorite musicians but I did want to own something that provides a bridge of sorts into the world of Rush and this guitar exceeds expectations. Sure, it provides great sound, amazing feel, cool electronics, and a beautiful body. Those are to be expected from a rather expensive instrument made by a quality manufacturer. In this guitar, however, lives the spirit of Alex Lifeson's musical adventures - it has more of his style, clean arpeggios, sustained chords and notes, and iconography than any other guitar. I must admit that one need not be a Rush fan at all in order to crave this work of art, however. How many ES 355 models are on the market today? This guitar offers anyone a new musical experience.

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Fantastic Guitar

Posted by Rare Form from Maryland on May 26, 2008

Experience w/product: I own it

Reviewer's Background: Active Musician

Reviewer's Play Style: Progressive Rock

I received mine last week. I was veryimpressed by teh craftmanship. Basically flawless. Set up great out of the box. With the Varitone switch and mini switch the guitar has basically 18 different tones to choose from. This is a very versatile guitar. It is a big guitar as all other ES series are. This one weighs just under 10lbs. It is the Varitone electronics with all the maple that makes it a heavy guitar, but it is comfortable to play and sounds fantastic. You do not need to be a Rush fan to appreciate this guitar. It is absolutely stunnin.

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Gibson Custom Alex Lifeson ES-355 Semi Hollow Electric Guitar

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