Alex Lifeson Distortion

Fox On The Rocks wrote: Wasn't sure if this falled under Tech Talk or Musician's exchange but whatever. Anyways, Does anybody know what kind of distortion Alex used in the late 70's/early 80's (Farewell To Kings - Moving Pictures). He has probably my favourite guitar tone ever, along with Stephen Hacketts, and he's never really publicly discussed before. Was he just using his Amplifier distortion or did he have various pedals? I know he used Hiwatts and Marshalls along with a lot of Chorus.

it's a good question--  I don't see why Lifeson would need external distortion but I guess it's possible he would occasionally hit one, but if anything it would've diminished his gain.

 ^ hmm, like Randy Rhoads.. great little box, used to have a buddy with one

clarkpegasus4001 wrote: Atavachron wrote: Fox On The Rocks wrote: Wasn't sure if this falled under Tech Talk or Musician's exchange but whatever. Anyways, Does anybody know what kind of distortion Alex used in the late 70's/early 80's (Farewell To Kings - Moving Pictures). He has probably my favourite guitar tone ever, along with Stephen Hacketts, and he's never really publicly discussed before. Was he just using his Amplifier distortion or did he have various pedals? I know he used Hiwatts and Marshalls along with a lot of Chorus. it's a good question--  I don't see why Lifeson would need external distortion but I guess it's possible he would occasionally hit one, but if anything it would've diminished his gain. I was a big fan of Rush at the time. As far as I can remember he used an MXR Distortion+ and an MXR Micro Amp.

I suppose I can understand not being a fan of his tone, though it was one of the richest, heaviest in the history of rock (see a wildly unsuccessful thread I started on this subject; http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=78681 -), but Rhoads was absolutely without any doubt not just another metal guitarist.   He wasn't just 'classically influenced and trained', he was one of the finest guitar players in the world, and that's just his classical (which everyone and their gardener was waiting in line to learn)--  his rock playing made such a deep impact I don't even think many realize how deep it was.    Particularly his approach to rhythm and songwriting was quite fresh and most of the metal that came after utilized his up/down patterns, taking the sense of swing in hard rock Jimmy Page and Tony Iommi had founded a step or two further.  Not to mention his extraordinary taste, solos and fills, and musicalogic knowledge.

Rhoads was a true master, unlike most of his peers who were happy to get by on warmed-over blues riffs and clichéd song structures.   Further, Diary of a Madman is not only a brilliantly conceived album that set a standard so high it turned out to be impossible to match, but was one of the first progressive metal records.

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 .

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

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

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....

Fox On The Rocks wrote: have a Electro Harmonix Small Clone and its a really nice pedal.

a nice and useful too!

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! Do you have one?

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! 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

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. 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?