All rights reserved. Hey! Actually I was thinking more about it - while I did have that GFTPM issue I was actually thinking of an even earlier Guitar World that I had (from 1981): Most of the parts are in, so here's a rundown of the essentials. Excellent items are almost entirely free from blemishes and other visual defects and have been played or used with the utmost care. The name came from Peter Henderson, who co-produced Grace Under Pressure. Its such a great guitar that it still goes out on tour 30 years later! It's Friday night, and I think we need a MEME thread. By clicking Subscribe, I agree to receive exclusive offers & promotions, news & reviews, and personalized tips for buying and selling on Reverb. 13007 S. Western Avenue, You must log in or register to reply here. Hard to imagine he was 27 at the time. I actually cut two templates and stacked them together to give the template some more heighth. A portion of the proceeds will go to the Grapes Under Pressure charity. One has all his effects, the second is a straight feed that switches channels as needed, and the third is a backup, just in case one of the others breaks down. Vintage 80s Rush - Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson On Stage - Pin / Button / Badge. Roughed out on the bandsaw, sanded close to the line and routed to shape. While his 76 ES-355 might not be his primary player anymore, its still one of Lifesons favorite guitars and frequently goes on tour with him. 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 . You are using an out of date browser. You must log in or register to reply here. Despite not being a real guitar brand, the Hentor Sportscaster became one of Alex Lifesons most iconic guitars! 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 . In 2010, the sound experts at Hughes & Kettner gave Alex Lifeson his very own signature model amp. What era is this meant to follow? 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! 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. northgta@gmail.com. So I have a few builds going on, but with some spare alder, tomorrow I will embark on a Hentor Sportcaster inspired strat. But the cool thing is all the notes on the aged masking tape inside the cabinet, which Im curious to discover more about: For a limited time, save in the Gibson European Demo Shop. For the Hemispheres tour, Lifeson swapped from his standard Fender Super Reverb to Hiwatt amps. Julien's Auctions | Another six-figure six-string was Lifeson's custom-built Hentor Sportscaster, which was snapped (opens in new tab) up for $187,500. Im curious about the wiring form3 pickups on the LP styled 3 way switch. While Lee and Peart are incredibly important to the band's . By continuing to use Reverb, you agree to these updates, and to our cookie policy. Thanks, I could not see from the photos if there was a gap and that you had put the pickup ring underneath. RUSH: Progressive Power Trio RUSH in their early . After a year strumming the Kent acoustic, Lifeson started begging his parents for an electric guitar. Alexs only stipulation was that for every guitar sold, a portion of the profit goes to his charity Grapes Under Pressure. Please check the fields highlighted in red. 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 video is a few years old and was never published publicly, but people have be. Handmade by luthier Freddy Gabrsek in Ontario, Canada, this guitar was made for me that took nearly 10 months to complete. The guitar is expected to sell at auction for between $100,000 and $200,000. The signature was a Canadian guitar manufacturer located in Toronto. You are using an out of date browser. He thought it looked so unique with its bright-white finish, and the sound was incredible! To reflect our commitment, we updated our terms and conditions. It has been my main guitar and is the iconic Alex Lifeson guitar." . Please call 877-687-4277 for assistance with placing . not a floyd on it though odd it has two HBs and not the HSS like the others. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. ET and 1 p.m. Historic dress worn by Marilyn Monroe when she sang Happy Birthday to You to President Kennedy. It deserves to be played and need to thin out the inventory. Although he doesnt play his signatures anymore, he did install a signature pickup into one of his primary PRSs he still brings on tour. Over the years, Lifeson has used almost countless Gibson Les Pauls on stage and in the studio. The Lifeson Signature model also had a fine-tuning Floyd Rose-type bridge. The words Fender, Telecaster, Stratocaster and the associated headstock designs are registered trademarks of the Fender Musical Instruments Corporation. Whether he wants to add a clean line under the heavier sound or some added effects, Lifeson can switch the Coreblade on and off to get the effects hes looking for. Your purchases also help protect forests, including trees traditionally used to make instruments. Despite the rough playability, Lifeson loved that guitar, and it started him on a musical journey that would last for the rest of his life. 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. Since its creation in 2011, this guitar has become one of Lifesons primary players. The pickups were swapped out with DiMarzios for the rhythm and bass positions and a Bill Lawrence L-500 in the back position. PRODUCER. Watch Marty Friedman play with Megadeth again, Journey and Steve Lukather play Black Magic Woman. Even though its technically a hollow body, the Gibson HRF has a maple spur that runs through the middle of the body, which gives it some weight. A lot less expensive than the excellent "Hentor Sportscaster" replicas made by Freddy Gabrsek. Chorus is a big part of Alex Lifesons unique sound. Lifeson also brought the guitar on the road extensively during the band's career. Alex Lifeson loves to have piezo pickups and dual outputs built into his guitars. Aleksandar ivojinovi, OC (born 27 August 1953), known professionally as Alex Lifeson (/ l a f s n /), is a Canadian musician who is the guitarist and backing vocalist of the rock band Rush.In 1968, Lifeson co-founded a band that would later become Rush, with drummer John Rutsey and bassist and lead vocalist Jeff Jones.Jones was replaced by Geddy Lee a month later, and Rutsey was . The second output jack on his guitar is just for the piezo pickup. it was awful to play, very uncomfortable, but had a particular sound that I liked. Alex Lifeson in Vintage Guitar Magazine, September 2011, You can see Lifeson rock his black Signature Aurora (and an awesome 80s haircut) in this 1989 live performance of Big Money.. For more information, head to Julien's Auctions (opens in new tab). Hi Christopher, Early estimates suggest that "Whitey" will bring in $200,000 - $300,000 at auction. This topic is being created to be the ultimate collection of information and discussion for my fellow "Hentor Sportscaster" enthusiasts out there. The Freddy Sportscaster is deadly expensive for sure, its interesting as a benchmark and details Alexs customizations clearly. Phone: 310-836-1818 | Thank you for reading 5 articles this month*, US pricing $3.99 per month or $39.00 per year, UK pricing 2.99 per month or 29.00 per year, Europe pricing 3.49 per month or 34.00 per year, *Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription. Rush's Alex Lifeson is collaborating with Julien's Auctions on an upcoming auction titled "Property From The Archives of Alex Lifeson". 70's style strat body finished in . It also had a Tune-O-Matic bridge and a Maestro Long Vibrola tailpiece. When you think of Alex Lifeson, you either picture him with a Les Paul or his white ES-355. If you plug in the second output jack, it splits the magnetic pickups and the piezo pickup, so Lifeson can send the two signals to separate amp configurations! He took a few classical guitar lessons from a friend when he was young, but he mostly sat by his record player trying to learn the solos from his favorite guitarists. Although Lifeson helped propel Signature to new heights by showing off its capabilities on stage, the Signature Guitar Company ultimately closed its doors in 1990, and Lifeson switched back to Gibsons and PRSs. LOL. Alex Lifeson: "I purchased this guitar in 1976, it was custom-built in Kalamazoo just for me. JavaScript is disabled. For some of the synth-heavy songs, Lifeson uses a Moog Taurus Bass Pedal to add some chords and synth bass sounds without having to put down his guitar. It requires routing a pocket for the switch and two channels for the new wiring location. Basically, if you click on a product link on this site and buy that product we get a small commission at no extra cost to you. Since Geddy Lee also uses steampunk contraptions to fill his side of the stage, these custom-made Hughes & Kettners look great to give the band a unified look on stage. It has been my main guitar and is the iconic Alex Lifeson guitar," said the 68-year-old guitarist in a statement. 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. That way I could start with a shallower initial cut. Alex Lifeson plays a Gibson Les Paul Axcess guitar. Please let me know if you are still having problems. Body weight, wood species and resonance to match the original Hentor. It can be heard on 16 of the band's studio albums from their 1974 self-titled debut to 1996's Test for Echo and seen in several music videos. The Gibson HRF looks like Gibson took a Les Paul and threw some ES-335 into it. Another guitar up for bids, Lifeson's 1980 custom-built Hentor Sportscaster electric guitar. As a joke, he called these Hentor Sportscasters - a made-up name inspired by Peter Henderson's name, who was the producer of Grace Under Pressure. Lifeson manages to achieve this sound with his hallowed 'Hentor Sportscaster', a Frankenstein guitar a modified Fender Strat with a Floyd Rose vibrato arm to create his archetypal tone. The Gear Page is the leading online community and marketplace for guitars, amps, pedals, effects and associated gear. From 1980 to 1986, Lifeson used four identically modified Stratocasters, all of them equipped with the Floyd Rose bridge. Hello my fellow Rush fans! So his signal always seemed to be hotter. 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. Watch this gear and we'll notify you if it becomes available again. 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. Hed take only a quick break to eat dinner, then go right back up to keep playing until bedtime. Alex Lifeson Hentor Sportscaster Miniature Guitar Model Officially Licensed; Neil Peart: Drum God . All his Strats were 1977 models and I believe all had alder bodies. Figure this was the bass cabinet (bottom) of the 3rd stack, I believe Alex used 4 stacks at the time. Hello my fellow Rush fans! 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. Finally, Lifeson would get his own signature Gibson Les Paul! Hello my fellow Rush fans! Joined Oct 25, 2017 . Opens in a new window or tab. Bringing back memories. Some of the add-ons on this site are powered by, Luthier's Guitar & Bass Technical Discussion. It instantly became his primary player that graced both the stage and the studio for the next few years. I never noticed the inverted jack on that thing. That looks great and well worth all of the setup. Alex Lifeson Hentor Sportscaster Mini Guitar Model Officially Licensed Officially Licensed - HANDCRAFTED with all the details just like Alex's famous guitar! He loved the feel and tone of the guitar, and it easily became his primary player for years to come. With his Carnoa in hand, Alex Lifeson started learning solos from his favorite players. I only get one shot at this so I've been doing a lot of research on this. Whitey is featured on all albums from A Farewell to Kings to Test for Echo, and can be seen played by Lifeson on stage during all Rush tours from 1977 to 2015 as well as in many of the bands music videos. A custom-built 1980 Hentor Sportscaster - used by Lifeson extensively during the recording of Rush's Grace Under Pressure album and for the "Limelight" solo - also fetched a princely sum, selling (opens in new tab) for $187,500. The guitar had to be retired from touring after that. I updated the permissions on the media folder so hopefully that fixes the issue. PAINTER. Legend has it that Lifeson was friends with the owner of Signature Guitars and helped him design the instruments. PILOT. Keith. I don't know if helps that one is emulating tape the other emulating . Product #: AL-280 AXE HEAVEN has created handcrafted RUS AXE HEAVEN HOME - WE SHIP WORLDWIDE 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. 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. Of course, whats an Alex Lifeson signature model without his favorite tremolo bridge: the Floyd Rose. Lifeson has been back and forth with his main guitars over the years, but ever since he landed a deal with Gibson for his signature Les Paul Axcess, the model became his undisputed favorite six-string for both stage and studio. $1,799. In his spare time, Sam creates point-of-view guitar lesson videos on YouTube under the name Sightline Guitar (opens in new tab). Will include my original invoice, certificate of origin, and comes with high end black case. I still use it a lot because of the 24 frets. This setup carried Lifeson all the way through the Moving Pictures tour in 1981. The Hentor Sportscaster! While Lee and Peart are critical to the band's success . 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. Currency: This is an awesome guitar. Lifeson played a Signature Aurora almost exclusively for the Power Windows Tour and kept it in rotation for a few shows after that. It looked like a Fender Stratocaster with a few stark differences. Well done and keep up the great work! Great gift for Rush fans! Lifeson had 3 modded Strats. It may not display this or other websites correctly. By clicking Subscribe, I agree to receive exclusive offers & promotions, news & reviews, and personalized tips for buying and selling on Reverb. Alex Lifeson Signature Guitar - "Great White". Always make certain the base is flat on the surface. but there's no way you're getting that solo with a 355. Based on your location, we've changed your settings: Shipping Region: He even uses it during Rushs induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. A lot less expensive than the excellent "Hentor Sportscaster" replicas made by Freddy Gabrsek. 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. Oct 8, 2022. Regular price $49.99 Alex Lifeson Signature ES-355 Gibson Alpine White Miniature Guitar Model. It may not display this or other websites correctly. In the later tours, Lifeson swapped from having a chorus foot pedal to a rack-mounted chorus effect. My first big mod project. I hope to post some happy results within a week. Excellent items are almost entirely free from blemishes and other visual defects and have been played or used with the utmost care. When he was 12, he was given his very first guitar as a Christmas present and renounced the viola forever in favor of shredding the guitar. He would also use it in live shows, pushing a Marshall 412 cabinet. Custom built to match the specs of Alex's 80's Sportscaster Strat! It may not display this or other websites correctly. It has been my main guitar and is the iconic Alex Lifeson guitar. The auction will also play host to a 1976 Gibson Dove acoustic guitar which was used to write several songs from 1977's A Farewell to Kings, including Closer to the Heart and a 1970 Gibson Les Paul acquired by Lifeson during Rush's inaugural tour in 1974. 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. Some of you may know of the Hentor Sportscaster, a 1973 white Fender strat that Alex Lifeson modded. The experts in contemporary and pop culture. A true passion of mine, Ive designed, built, and repaired a wide range of guitar amps and electronics. A video diary of a handmade replica of Alex Lifeson's Hentor Sportscaster. each Greenback speaker says RUSH RH3 and Brigette Bardot 007 (spelled wrong I know). Lifeson thought that guitar was so cool because it was shaped like a Gretsch Country Gentleman. From that moment on, all he wanted to do was play guitar. (1,377) $10.00. Of course, a legendary rocker like Alex Lifeson cant go on tour without an awesome double-necked guitar, so he replaced it with a Gibson Signature Alex Lifeson EDS-1275 Doubleneck prototype, which he nicknamed Heavy Bastard, for obvious reasons. At some point I will document it some more in a build thread as I plan to redraw it etc. Nov 4, 2017 #1 AnalogKid68 TDPRI Member. This was Lifeson's favorite guitar to use during the recordings . See the full list of notable Alex Lifeson Guitars below. The Hentor's transition from Alex Lifeson's three Hentor 'prototypes' to a line of commercially-available guitars happened somewhere in between these two worlds. It only came with a white finish (of course) and featured gold hardware. LIFESON. Learn More. Well, it sounds like youve got the idea well thought out so it should work out well in the end. After he picked it up around 1980, the HRF became one of his primary players for the next few tours and albums. It is this performance which critics point to when asked to define the sound of Rush. Thats how a three-piece rock band can produce sounds that even five-piece bands would struggle with! The Alex Lifeson Les Paul Axcess is a very unique guitar. * 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 . Its an HSS, two knobs (volume / tone) with a Floyd rose non fine tuner trem (no locking nut). If you go back to Moving Pictures, you can see Alex in the "Limelight" video play a modified black Strat with what appears to be the stock Fender maple neck, with no locking nut. * A 1980 custom Hentor Sportscaster played by Lifeson on most Rush albums since "Moving Pictures, . GOLFER. The Bridgette Bardot reference? Watch this gear and we'll notify you if it becomes available again. It looked like a Fender Stratocaster with a few stark differences. This . Up next, I'll be shielding the cavity, drilling the hole in the pickguard for the new switch location and then wiring it up. You must log in or register to reply here. Does it have to be white? It has been my main guitar and is the iconic Alex Lifeson guitar." . The Hughes & Kettner Alex Lifeson Signature Edition Triamp is a 100-watt tube head with three preamps (like the name triamp suggests) and two different channels. It was created specifically for Rush's 40th Anniversary tour. To project the awesome sound from the amps out into the audience, Lifeson three Hughes & Kettner 212 cabinets. I'm happy with the overall results and removing a few grams of wood from this heavy specimen will make it easier on the back when playing for extended periods. ET on May 22. hentor; sportscaster; alex; lifeson; guitar; wiring; strat; gibson; switching; By MarkScudder, . But this is all for today. Commencing May 20, the sale dubbed Property from the Archives of Alex Lifeson will take place Sunday, May 22 at the Hard Rock Cafe in New York and online at the company's website (opens in new tab). The amp setup was a couple of Dean Markley 2x12 combos, two Marshall 2x12 combos, two . (I was gonna sell the black one but I'm leaning towards selling the white Hentor Sportscaster now.) Here at the Guitar Lobby, our aim is to share our passion for Music and gear with the rest of the music community. The neck pickup on the 12-string has a coil splitter that Lifeson installed himself. Guitar World is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. 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 . What's something super simple you like to play just because it's fun to play? Its a double-cutaway, solid-body guitar with humbuckerswhich is right in line with most of Lifesons guitars. Alex Lifeson uses three of his signature Hughes & Kettner amps on stage. Reverb is a marketplace bringing together a wide-spanning community to buy, sell, and discuss all things music gear. 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. Another notable Lifeson axe his 1980 custom-built Hentor Sportscaster electric guitar used on the recording of RUSH's seminal albums since "Moving Pictures", in particular "Grace Under . I really like that it retains its overall Stratocaster-ness but is also has some unique features. 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. MERCH STORE : https://my-store-cf98db.creator-spring.com/MAILING ADDRESS:Justin & Camilla Panariello1536 Rio De Janeiro AveBOX #201Punta Gorda, FL 33983My Wi. Lifesons Moog is preset with a few bass sounds and some samples. In 2010, the band wanted to go for a steampunk vibe. To craft his signature sound, he uses a myriad of effects pedals. I have had the Hentor in my possession for about 6 months and have documented every property and detail of this amazing and unique . Fender PA 100. 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. To reflect our commitment, we updated our terms and conditions. List price: Previous Price $49.99 . Custom built to match the specs of Alex's 80's Sportscaster Strat! All guitars are officially licensed by Fender and RUSH ; Includes Stand ; Not Playable, but extremely collectible! Here are a few of his favorites to take on tour and use in the studio: Alex Lifeson does a lot of fading to add some dramatic effect to his solo and rhythm parts. His white 1976 custom-built Gibson ES-355TD will go under the hammer in May. Alex Lifeson - Rush Alex Lifeson Hentor Sportscaster Mini Guitar Replica Collect. GUITARIST. i know he was endorsed by them back then. It will be a little bit of a pain in the ass, but its not hard at all. Lifeson said it had a really nice balance when he played it, and it had everything he looks for in a guitar. A 1980 custom Hentor Sportscaster that Lifeson loved to solo with, including the solo on the song "Limelight" and has been in the music videos for "Vital," "Countdown," and "Enemy . I'm just gonna go ahead and share my work. 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. "Freddy's Frets", a custom guitar shop from the Niagara on the Lake area on Ontario, has received permission direct from Alex Lifeson to create and sell replicas of his "Hentor Sportscaster" customized Fender Strat guitar. What is giving Ronnie Wood his tone in this song? just odd never seen that one before Ok got a lot done today since I have 2 other guitars drying up after clear coating them. 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.