Alex Lifeson Distortion - Progressive Rock Music Forum

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AnchovyRun View Drop Down

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Joined: June 10 2009
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Posted: March 26 2012 at 20:58

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! Smoke

<>< The Anchovy Run ><>
------------------------------
Caravaning For Your Convenience

Alberto Muñoz View Drop Down

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Posted: March 26 2012 at 18:28

Fox On The Rocks wrote:

Alberto Muñoz wrote:

Fox On The Rocks wrote:

Alberto Muñoz wrote:

Fox On The Rocks wrote:

Alberto Muñoz wrote:

Fox On The Rocks wrote:

have a Electro Harmonix Small Clone and its a really nice pedal.

a nice and useful too!

I know, it's a great little box. So many different tones that you can get. Just a really big, shimmering chorus tone, and that's how I like it! Thumbs Up

Do you have one?

Yes i have one of the nano series and many more of Electro Harmonix, those are responsible for my total lack of posting in forums Embarrassed

I have the regular non-Nano model. Is there a difference other than the mobility/portability and size? It's great to see another guitarist on this site with such a great taste in pedals. Big smile

I also have a Big Muff Pi, Small Stone Nano and Holy Grail reverb. Electro Harmonix is just awesome! My favourite pedal company, by far. I've tried many other pedals but there's something about EH tones that's so appealing. What kind of guitar do you have?

Yes, i like too the EH pedals, i have a Gibson SG cherry red and a orange type 15 watts amp, also i have the neo clone, the holy Grail, the analogizer, the big muff pi, the big muff with tone wicker and the little big muff, also i have the nano muff and the screaming bird.

also i have other pedals Boss, MXR, BYOC, Dunlop, Modtone, Zoom, etc.

Wow, you certainly have a great list of gear. Other pedals I have are the Boss DS-1, MXR Distortion III and Dunlop Wah. Orange amplification is another favourite of mine, as well. What does the tone wicker do, exactly? I was going to get that model but the regular Pi was cheaper.

i have 25+ effects i am a gear junkie!
you can find me as mi old name (zafreth) in harmony central and ilove fuzz.

currently i´m tracking a wilson wah, supposedly the best wah in this generation and try bypass.

Fox On The Rocks View Drop Down

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Posted: March 26 2012 at 18:23

clarkpegasus4001 wrote:

I remember Alex had a lot of problems with his Marshall amps cutting out, and when I watched them at a later gig he had switched to Hiwatt amps. I also recall he used to duck down when flash bombs went off and he always seemed to snap a string! ha, those were the days!

Flash mobs!? What year was the gig?

Fox On The Rocks View Drop Down

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Posted: March 26 2012 at 18:20

Alberto Muñoz wrote:

Fox On The Rocks wrote:

Alberto Muñoz wrote:

Fox On The Rocks wrote:

Alberto Muñoz wrote:

Fox On The Rocks wrote:

have a Electro Harmonix Small Clone and its a really nice pedal.

a nice and useful too!

I know, it's a great little box. So many different tones that you can get. Just a really big, shimmering chorus tone, and that's how I like it! Thumbs Up

Do you have one?

Yes i have one of the nano series and many more of Electro Harmonix, those are responsible for my total lack of posting in forums Embarrassed

I have the regular non-Nano model. Is there a difference other than the mobility/portability and size? It's great to see another guitarist on this site with such a great taste in pedals. Big smile

clarkpegasus4001 View Drop Down

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Joined: January 13 2011
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Posted: March 26 2012 at 18:11

I remember Alex had a lot of problems with his Marshall amps cutting out, and when I watched them at a later gig he had switched to Hiwatt amps. I also recall he used to duck down when flash bombs went off and he always seemed to snap a string! ha, those were the days!

Tony C.

Fox On The Rocks View Drop Down

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Posted: March 26 2012 at 18:11

Triceratopsoil wrote:

I always thought he used a Hiwatt more than a Marshall

He used Hiwatts in the 70's and early 80's and then I think he switched over to Marshalls in the 80's and 90's. Hughes and Kettner is what he mainly uses now. I wish I had the kind of money to afford a Hughes And Kettner. LOL

Fantastic amps.

Alberto Muñoz View Drop Down

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Posted: March 26 2012 at 17:44

Fox On The Rocks wrote:

Alberto Muñoz wrote:

Fox On The Rocks wrote:

Alberto Muñoz wrote:

Fox On The Rocks wrote:

have a Electro Harmonix Small Clone and its a really nice pedal.

a nice and useful too!

I know, it's a great little box. So many different tones that you can get. Just a really big, shimmering chorus tone, and that's how I like it! Thumbs Up

Do you have one?

Yes i have one of the nano series and many more of Electro Harmonix, those are responsible for my total lack of posting in forums Embarrassed

I have the regular non-Nano model. Is there a difference other than the mobility/portability and size? It's great to see another guitarist on this site with such a great taste in pedals. Big smile

Alberto Muñoz View Drop Down

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Location: Mexico
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Posted: March 26 2012 at 17:32

Fox On The Rocks wrote:

Alberto Muñoz wrote:

A cracker Marshall and some phase shifter/delay i think...

I don't think Lex was as big into Phasers as he was into chorus. I think there's some phaser on Cygnus X-1: Hemispheres and Permanent Waves tracks. Anymore to mention? In the 80's he was very big on chorus and delay and that kind of became his signature sound even though his signature playing was on earlier albums. Marshalls are awesome! Approve

Well in quiet parts of Xanadu maybe is using a reverb or phase (i'm guessing).

Triceratopsoil View Drop Down

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Posted: March 26 2012 at 17:16

I always thought he used a Hiwatt more than a Marshall

Fox On The Rocks View Drop Down

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Posted: March 26 2012 at 17:09

Alberto Muñoz wrote:

Fox On The Rocks wrote:

Alberto Muñoz wrote:

Fox On The Rocks wrote:

have a Electro Harmonix Small Clone and its a really nice pedal.

a nice and useful too!

I know, it's a great little box. So many different tones that you can get. Just a really big, shimmering chorus tone, and that's how I like it! Thumbs Up

Do you have one?

Yes i have one of the nano series and many more of Electro Harmonix, those are responsible for my total lack of posting in forums Embarrassed

I have the regular non-Nano model. Is there a difference other than the mobility/portability and size? It's great to see another guitarist on this site with such a great taste in pedals. Big smile

Alberto Muñoz View Drop Down

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Joined: July 26 2006
Location: Mexico
Status: Offline
Points: 3577

Posted: March 26 2012 at 16:56

Fox On The Rocks wrote:

Alberto Muñoz wrote:

Fox On The Rocks wrote:

have a Electro Harmonix Small Clone and its a really nice pedal.

a nice and useful too!

I know, it's a great little box. So many different tones that you can get. Just a really big, shimmering chorus tone, and that's how I like it! Thumbs Up

Do you have one?

Yes i have one of the nano series and many more of Electro Harmonix, those are responsible for my total lack of posting in forums Embarrassed

Fox On The Rocks View Drop Down

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Joined: February 10 2011
Location: Toronto, Canada
Status: Offline
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Posted: March 26 2012 at 16:53

Alberto Muñoz wrote:

Fox On The Rocks wrote:

have a Electro Harmonix Small Clone and its a really nice pedal.

a nice and useful too!

I know, it's a great little box. So many different tones that you can get. Just a really big, shimmering chorus tone, and that's how I like it! Thumbs Up

Do you have one?

Fox On The Rocks View Drop Down

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Joined: February 10 2011
Location: Toronto, Canada
Status: Offline
Points: 5012

Posted: March 26 2012 at 16:50

Alberto Muñoz wrote:

A cracker Marshall and some phase shifter/delay i think...

Alberto Muñoz View Drop Down

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Posted: March 24 2012 at 12:35

Fox On The Rocks wrote:

have a Electro Harmonix Small Clone and its a really nice pedal.

a nice and useful too!

Alberto Muñoz View Drop Down

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Posted: March 24 2012 at 12:32

A cracker Marshall and some phase shifter/delay i think...

digitalchemistry View Drop Down

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Joined: November 21 2011
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Posted: November 21 2011 at 15:31

You can imitate most of his tones with a combination of Chameleon/ Voodoo Valve preamps...I did when I was in a Rush tribute... Lifeson is God... LOL.. seriously...he taught me a great deal when I was just learning to play....

clarkpegasus4001 View Drop Down

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Posted: October 14 2011 at 19:21

Fox On The Rocks wrote:

Thank You clarkpegasus! So it turns out Alex only really used his Amp distortion and MXRs after all.

You are welcome! Smile

Tony C.

Fox On The Rocks View Drop Down

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Posted: October 14 2011 at 15:36

Thank You clarkpegasus! So it turns out Alex only really used his Amp distortion and MXRs after all.

clarkpegasus4001 View Drop Down

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Posted: October 14 2011 at 00:09

This tells all........

http://www.musictoyz.com/articles/chopalex.php

Note; Moving Pictures tour he did indeed use an MXR Distortion + and an MXR Micro amp as i'd thought.

Tony C.

Fox On The Rocks View Drop Down

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Posted: October 13 2011 at 19:05

I went on facebook and found this on Rush's page: http://www.premierguitar.com/Magazine/Issue/2011/Nov/GALLERY_Pro_Pedalboards_Volume_II.aspx?Page=21&#gallery Alex's current pedalboard and effects setup. Never would have thought he used an Axe-FX Shocked

.

Edited by Fox On The Rocks - October 13 2011 at 19:07