Alex Lifeson Distortion

Fox On The Rocks wrote: No problem. When did you get that guitar? It has a very nice finish. So, Takamine copied an already existing Guild model? Takamine's a pretty big guitar company, does Guild know about this? It's not like a cheap guitar brand rips off a Gibson or Fender model, they can get away with that easily. What was the question you asked Kim? (If you don't mind me asking )

Takamine made some high quality Guild rip-offs in the late 70's and other companies from Japan such as Ibanez were doing the same, ripping off the likes of Fender and Gibson. The guitars produced then are commonly known as "lawsuit" guitars although there was never an "actual" lawsuit bought against these companies, they threatened it so the copyists backed down somewhat.
The model I have is a Takamine F-390S made in November 1977 and it's a pretty rare model, as they didn't produce many of them. Mine also has a pick up built in the bridge, you plug a lead in at the bottom strap button, very cunning! and then you use your amp to set the tone as the guitar has no tone controls. There is a battery hidden inside the guitar. So technically it's an electro/acoustic, but i've only used it for it's natural acoustic sound.  I bought it last year from Texas USA for recording purposes, but an old mate of mine wants it and I am selling it because I simply don't play it, which is a waste. It will probably be sold at the end of this week actually. The same mate bought an old 1970's Electro Harmonix Clone Theory chorus pedal from me a couple of weeks ago, again because it wasn't getting used.  At least I know they will be in safe hands, he's had a few things from me.

I asked Kim for a request actually, so keep listening!

clarkpegasus4001 wrote: That was funny! Also interesting is the acoustic clip. I have a 1977 Takamine acoustic which is a dead-ringer copy of a Guild acoustic just like Roger is using! except mine is a 6 string. It's actually for sale as I don't use it, here: By the way I have just sent Kim Mitchel an email via Q107 website, I hope it reaches him. I have also got Q107 Toronto on my phone now thanks to you so I can listen to Kim's show.....nice one!

No problem. When did you get that guitar? It has a very nice finish. So, Takamine copied an already existing Guild model? Takamine's a pretty big guitar company, does Guild know about this? It's not like a cheap guitar brand rips off a Gibson or Fender model, they can get away with that easily.
What was the question you asked Kim? (If you don't mind me asking )

That was funny! Also interesting is the acoustic clip. I have a 1977 Takamine acoustic which is a dead-ringer copy of a Guild acoustic just like Roger is using! except mine is a 6 string. It's actually for sale as I don't use it, here:


By the way I have just sent Kim Mitchel an email via Q107 website, I hope it reaches him. I have also got Q107 Toronto on my phone now thanks to you so I can listen to Kim's show.....nice one!

Although I can play quite a few things on bass and some guitar riff's etc.....I actually play by ear only, so I can't help you there. Is there a way of sending Kim an email? maybe via the radio station he's on?
That is a pretty tune he has going on there. Yes I personally think he is influenced by Zappa and probably The Beatles and maybe The Kinks given his compositions.......ask him. I'm sure he'll respond.

Somebody once said to me after a gig (when I was playing in a Wishbone Ash tribute band), "hey that was great, do you do tab"? my reply was, "tab? yes I have two, I use them for hearing"!

My fave Max Webster  tracks? well Context Of the Moon is a great track, Here Among The Cats and Lily are another good one's, but my faves are Paradise Skies and The Party. Kim Mitchell solo stuff? I really like Kids In Action, Miss Demeanor and Chain Of Events from the mini album, (his first solo album).
Here is a brilliant version of Max Webster's The Party with the original line- up (reunion) with Mike Tilka on bass. I think sums up just how good he really is on guitar!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a3RJnmTwjck

I can't find Chain of Events on Youtube but here is Kids In Action and Miss Demeanor:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YtkoBxuSWBU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qv7SW8k2dY

Alex mainly used his Gibson Les Paul when I first watched them. I read an interview with him he stated it took him a couple of year to get used to playing that guitar! As you said, he also later purchased a Gibson Howard Roberts Fusion. He also used a Gibson SG double neck in white finish and a 335 and a gorgeous white Gibson 355 which is the guitar I think you might be referring to? (it might look natural under lights).  He later used a black Strat. I'm not sure what other songs he used an EH EM flanger on but I suspect it would have been on many tracks, it certainly sounds like one on Spirit Of Radio.
I was watching the Kim Mitchell guitar lessons on that radio station last night, he has a great sense of humour as well as being an incredibly good guitarist.

Here is some footage of Max Webster from that video I have from 1980:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B2EibD7eElc&feature=relmfu


Edited by clarkpegasus4001 - March 31 2012 at 10:12

You'd be suprised! I have ALL of Max Webster's albums still on vinyl and a Million Vacations on CD. I also have Kim Mitchell's first album which was a mini album with 5 songs on it, which is brill. My mate had Kim's solo stuff. I also have Max Webster live on video from about 1980 and a Kim Mitchell concert. I watched Max Webster a couple of times supporting Rush. I am a big fan of Kim's playing I think  he's a wonderful guitarist and Dave Myles was a great bass player IMO. All the guy's I knew back in the day liked Max Webster in fact some thought they were better than Rush when we saw them both at Birmingham Odeon. It was sad that when they were going to tour here as an head-line act, they had to cancel because of poor ticket sales.
I have not heard FM before but you mention Rush and Max Webster, Saga, (I like them as well), and Triumph, (not a band I really cared for)  but again my mate had loads of their albums and he saw them live. May I also mention Wireless, Touch, and Frank Marino and Mahogany Rush in the Canadian mix along with Pat Travers of course. There's been some top bands from your country.....Uzeb, there's another one! You and your dad have great taste obviously!   i'll see if i can get that station on my phone. Edit: just been on the stations website.....very cool!
By the way, kind of  but did you know that Alex Lifeson was known for using an Electro Harmonix Electric Mistress?    http://www.woodytone.com/2009/07/23/alex-lifesons-permanent-waves-gear/

Anyway, might as well go for soda !


Edited by clarkpegasus4001 - March 30 2012 at 13:37

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If I'm correct, Rush didn't come to England till after 2112 was released, is that true? So that must mean that you saw the guys on their very first UK tour, probably? I don't know if that's right, I heard that on The Beyond The Lighted Stage documentary. I look up to all of three of those guys. They are my idols and they influence not only by their music, but also who they are as people. Neil has always been sort of a reserved, shy guy, so I'm not surprised he said that much, but I can also relate to that. That's just phenomenal that you got to meet them and you were the same age then as I am now! I would be freaking out just as much as you if I had the privilege to meet the guys! How many people were at the show? Were they wearing their Japanese silk kimonos? Classic.
My favourite Rush albums: Permanent Waves and Hemispheres.
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June 1, 1977  City Hall Sheffield, England (Stray)

June 2, 1977   Free Trade Hall Manchester, England

June 3, 1977  Birmingham Odeon Birmingham, England (Stray)   (the one we were at)

June 4, 1977  Hammersmith Odeon London, England (Stray)

June 8, 1977  Gota Lejon Stockholm, Sweden

June 11, 1977 Newcastle City Hall Newcastle, England

June 12, 1977  The Apollo Glasgow, Scotland

June 13, 1977 Liverpool Empire Liverpool, England

Yes it was their first UK tour. It was actually my second ever gig. I had watched a band called Automatic Fine Tuning before, I think it was about November 1976. The Birmingham gig was packed. They always seemed to sell out every where. I can easily understand why they are your heroes, they were certainly mine for a while. Geddy Lee has certainly had some influence in the the way I play bass. I can also understand your choice of albums they are both excellent.  At that time my fave bands were Rush, Max Webster,  Pat Travers (all Canadian)   it must be something in the water!   Van Halen (another band I met in 1979 at the same venue) and Budgie (I have formed in a tribute band to them).

I was very lucky to watch so many great bands around the late 70's. I was lucky enough to see Rush a few times the last being 1981. I can't recall seeing them after that but my best mate saw them on Roll The Bones tour. You are taking me back to some wonderful memories now ya know!

Edited by clarkpegasus4001 - March 29 2012 at 10:50

Fox On The Rocks wrote: I love that Rick! If I ever get a Bass, it's going to be a Rickenbacker. Did you get these guitars back in the day, or are they a recent purchase? That's unbelievable that you met the guys after the gig! What did they say!? Sorry to hear about your situation at the time, along with the autographs - unfortunate. Favourite Rush album? Sorry for all the questions.

Hi,  no problem! I love talking about gear I'll try to cut it short though, so as not to bore others who might read this!

My mate and I went to see Rush on 3rd June 1977 at  Birmingham Odeon UK. They were supported by a band called Stray. Afterwards we went to the side of the building in the hope of meeting them which we did, and there were quite a few folk milling around with the same idea. We were in awe of them of course, they were our heroes and I was16 years old at the time. Luckily I had bought a program and they duly signed it on the back. We didn't hold any conversations as such but I put my arm on Geddy's back and thanked him. he just turned and smiled. Geddy and Alex seemed to do the talking and Neil seemed a bit quiet, but they were really nice guys as I recall.
When they left, they were sat to the rear and side of the coach and they were waving to us as they departed. Of course we were thrilled as you'd expect. My memory of the set list is vague i'm afraid but i'm sure they played everything from the All The World's A Stage plus Necromancer which was a suprise. 2112 was the current studio album at the time but I think it was probably billed as All The Worlds A Stage tour.

My fave Rush album? probably Moving Pictures but I used to love All The Worlds A Stage which I played to death at the time but I like them all up to 1981 really.

My Rickenbacker bass was bought in 2005 I got it from a guy in North Carolina in the USA from Craigslist.  My Fender was bought just last month from a guy in St. Albans in the UK. They are both original and come with the covers which i've removed.  My EH pedal was bought about 4 years ago. I had another one same colour which was identical but my car was broken into and my gig bag was stolen which had all my leads and my pedal in it. I was very lucky to find another one in better condition than the one stolen!
Thanks for your questions

Reissue? no sir mine is an original one from about 1978 I believe. I know someone who had an even earlier one which was blue/red but it was not working, but mine is fully operational.
I was very lucky to watch Rush a few times. The first time was1977 as I have stated before. I missed Farewell To Kings I think but I watched them on Hemispheres, Permanent Waves, and Moving Pictures tours, I can't remember after that. I met them afterwards after that first gig (their first UK tour) and got the autographs on the back of the tour program which I later sold in 1981 to my best mate when I was out of work and broke. My mate subsequently sold it on, something i'll always regret doing. I had a lot of autographs then, Van Halen Pat Travers, Budgie stuff. I still have Gary Moore's when he was with Coliseum 2 (all of the bands autographs) Mel Galley and Dave Holland from Trapeze autographs on You Are The Music album and Starcastle's first album signed by all amongst others. I went off Rush in the 80's but they were unbeatable in the 70's.

Here's some more old gear for you. Here is my 1975 Rickenbacker 4001 and my 1974 Fender Jazz bass.




Edited by clarkpegasus4001 - March 28 2012 at 00:19

AnchovyRun wrote:    Its pretty uncertain as to whether he used Hiwatts or Marshalls more during his early years but either choice ( And many others) would get you a tone similar to his. In my opinion, the biggest thing about his early tone is using as much power tube distortion as you can with preamp distortion as seasoning.     The phaser was more prevalent on his earlier recordings. Just listen to Caress of Steel, its all over that and in 2112 and Fly By Night. The chorus came to the forefront  with A farewell to kings and on wards.  In conclusion, my Lifeson formula: -Less distortion than you think you would use -Phaser or chorus for arpeggiated chords -Little preamp distortion and more poweramp overdrive (Dependant upon your volume limitations) -Maybe some sort of boost pedal for solos and leads, generally with the "overdrive" control pretty low Hope it was helpful!

Aw Yes! I forgot about Caress Of Steel. The Phaser is all over that album. Was it phaser Alex was using in the Discovery section of 2112? I am certain he was using it on Grand Finale and Overture for sure. Thanks for your formula. My Lifeson tone is very similar to that, but I think I slap on a bit too much distortion. I'll be sure to turn the knobs down a bit, next time I'm playing.