That opening arpeggio in “Limelight” says it all. Three notes that instantly transport you to a world where guitars don’t just play notes—they tell stories. Alex Lifeson might be the most underrated guitar hero in rock history. While flashier players hogged magazine covers, this unassuming Canadian quietly built the framework for one of rock’s most adventurous bands.

“I really consider myself more of a rhythm guitarist than a soloist,” Lifeson once said—probably the most humble statement ever from a Rock Hall of Famer. But anyone who’s air-guitared along to “Freewill” or “La Villa Strangiato” knows better. He’s a master craftsman who built Rush’s mighty sound one perfectly placed note at a time.

This 70th edition of our “Mastering the Iconic Guitar Sound” series jumps into the chord-rich world of Alex Lifeson. We’ll break down what makes his playing special and show you how to capture some of that Rush magic in your own playing.

The Secret Sauce: Learning Lifeson’s Unique Approach

What made Alex Lifeson stand apart from his guitar-hero contemporaries wasn’t blazing speed or technical showboating—it was something far more musical and sophisticated. Let’s explore his distinctive elements and how you can incorporate them into your own playing:

The Constant-Note Technique – The foundation of Lifeson’s signature style is maintaining open strings (usually high B or E) while shifting chord patterns beneath them. This creates a hypnotic effect while progressions move underneath. Try this yourself: Choose a progression (G-C-D works well) but keep the high E and B strings open throughout. Start with strumming, then break into arpeggios while maintaining those open strings. This instantly creates that Rush sound you hear in “Limelight” and “Closer to the Heart.”

Suspended Chord Mastery – Nobody uses sus2 and sus4 chords more effectively than Lifeson. These voicings create Rush’s distinctive shimmer on tracks like “Subdivisions” and “Tom Sawyer.” Develop this by transforming standard chords into their suspended variations: practice seamlessly transitioning between Asus2→Asus4→A→Asus2. The ambiguous, floating quality of these chords became Rush’s harmonic signature.

Architectural Thinking – Lifeson approaches composition like a classical arranger, with each note strategically placed to complement the band’s other elements. To develop this, record yourself playing rhythm parts, then add complementary leads that fill spaces rather than compete with the foundation. This trains your ear to think in layers—the secret behind how Rush sounds massive with just three musicians.

Dynamic Storytelling – His solos follow dramatic arcs that mirror the emotional journey of Rush’s lyrics. Rather than shredding for its own sake, practice building three-part solos: start with sparse notes, develop a melodic middle section, then reach an emotional climax. Record a simple backing track and focus on connecting each section logically, telling a musical story like Lifeson does in “Red Barchetta” and “La Villa Strangiato.”

Textural Shape-Shifting – Lifeson navigates seamlessly between acoustic delicacy, reggae-tinged rhythms, and massive walls of sound. Practice rapidly alternating between playing styles: clean arpeggios, palm-muted power chords, sustained single notes, and choppy rhythm figures. This versatility is crucial for progressive arrangements where songs demand multiple techniques in quick succession.

As Lifeson himself once said in an interview with Guitar Player magazine:

“I’ve always been more interested in chords and composition than just playing fast. The right chord can bring more emotion than a thousand notes.”

The Gear That Built Rush

Lifeson’s equipment evolved considerably over Rush’s four-decade run. Here’s a quick tour through his main guitars:

The Early Years (1974-1979)

• Gibson ES-335: His first pro-quality guitar, used on early Rush albums
• Gibson Les Paul Standard: A cherry sunburst 1974 model became his main axe through the 2112 era
• Gibson EDS-1275 Double Neck: The monster 6/12-string beast he used for epics like “Xanadu”
• Gibson ES-355: His white ES-355 became iconic during Rush’s classic period

The Synth Era (1980-1986)

• “Hentor Sportscaster”: Custom Strat-style guitars with humbuckers and Floyd Rose tremolos
• Signature Model Guitars: Brightly colored instruments he later admitted “were awful to play”

The Later Years (1987-2015)

• Paul Reed Smith: Various PRS models dominated the ’90s
• Gibson Les Paul Axcess: His signature model featuring modern updates like a Floyd Rose and piezo pickups
• Gibson Howard Roberts Fusion: Used for jazzier clean tones

For amps, Lifeson moved from Hiwatt stacks in the ’70s to a combination of Marshall and later Hughes & Kettner in the ’80s and ’90s. His effects arsenal typically included chorus (Boss CE-1), delay (Echoplex), flanger (Electric Mistress), and compression.

In later years, he embraced digital modeling with the Fractal Audio Axe-FX processor, allowing him to recreate any sound from Rush’s catalog with one unit.

Getting That Lifeson Sound Today

Want to channel your inner Rush? Here’s what you’ll need:

Pro-Level Rig:

• Guitar: Gibson LP Supreme AAA Figure Top Wine Red

• Amp: Mesa/Boogie Mark VII 1X12 Tube Combo 6L6 25/45/90

• Effects: Boss CE-5 Chorus, Boss DD-8 Delay

Affordable Guitar Setup:

• Guitar: Epiphone Alex Lifeson LPC Axcess Quilt Ruby

• Amp: Boss Katana 100 Gen 3 Guitar 1×12 Combo Amplifier

Essential Effects Chain:

1. Compression (light touch)
2. Overdrive (Marshall-style)
3. Chorus (for clean parts)
4. Delay (350-500ms, moderate feedback)
5. Reverb (hall setting, subtle)

The key to Lifeson’s tone isn’t just gear—it’s how you use it. He rarely piles on effects, instead choosing the right combination for each part. For clean arpeggios, a touch of chorus and delay creates that signature shimmer. For lead work, a smooth overdrive with medium gain provides singing sustain without mud.

Alex Today: Still Rocking After All These Years

At 71, Lifeson remains creatively active. After Rush performed their final show in 2015 and Neil Peart’s passing in 2020 closed the book on the band, Lifeson explored new musical territories.

In 2021, he launched Envy of None, a collaboration with bassist Andy Curran, vocalist Maiah Wynne, and producer Alfio Annibalini. Their music ventures into atmospheric alt-rock and electronic territories—far from Rush’s prog-rock sound.

“I didn’t want it to be too ‘Alex Lifeson-like,'” he explained. This willingness to reinvent himself shows why he’s remained relevant for over 50 years.

He’s also created his own line of Lerxst amplifiers and guitars, giving fans the opportunity to capture some of his magic through signature gear.

Though he’s faced health challenges, including a digestive disorder following surgery, Lifeson maintains his characteristic good humor and creativity. Envy of None is reportedly working on their second album, slated for release in 2025.

Alex Lifeson Through the Decades: Guitars, Albums & Sounds