I have number 43. Bought new threw Musicians friend. Original retail price was $3699.00 Mine shipped 04/18/2008. I pre-ordered as soon as it was announced. There was no aging on the guitar. The volute was talked about online after release. I did not care but a few online were pissed. I have seen three of these 355's and all three had different volute profiles. My friend bought two from I think Wildwood guitars. Kept the one he liked and sold the other one to someone from UK. Thanks to Trogly I removed the pickguard and is stored.
I have number 69!! New from Long & McQuade Burlington, ON, Canada. Mine as well as 2 other 355's came through that store. I know this cause i was number 2 on the list and after the other person's and mine were delivered, I'd still venture back to the store to see what they would have in stock.. And about 2 to 4 months later there was another AL 355 on the wall! That one sat for, I'd say almost a full year, more or less... And the amount of different fingers on it, and dust, etc... A few years later, another AL 355 came through the same store too!! Not the wall hanger, perhaps the person from Burlington, but i doubt it, there are more than a few Rush cover bands in the Southern Ontario GTA area.... But I've noticed on the two other AL 355's I've held in person they all had a tiny black mark on the upper horn or body, relative to playing position. My thought was just the way they sprayed the white and buffed it, they'd always not spray enough or take too much off there... There were at least 9 Prototypes, too! Freddy Gabresk sold AL Proto 9 for Big Al himself on his website a more than a few years back ago.. I almost debated selling my AL 069 to finance buying that one..
Rush was a force to be reckoned with live. Alex playing his EDS while switching between that and a classical on a stand. Neil hammering seamlessly between an acoustic and an electric kit on a rotating stage. And Geddy playing bass with his fretting hand, synth with the other, and singing simultaneously. Those guys were/are on another level.
@@UphillGardener-ly5sh I saw them with Primus back in the early 90's, maybe the Presto tour. I'd never heard of Primus either, but I became a fan. 3rd row back, centre stage Birmingham NEC (UK) I think.
I had this guitar when it first came out, and complained about the Volute to Gibson, and was told that the reissue was a direct copy of Lifeson's 355, and that he approved this.
I saw them on the Farewell to Kings tour in Rochester, N.Y. He was playing that guitar. I was surprised that he auctioned that one off; but hey, $384k! That low volute was actually a factory screw-up. Story is that they ran 300+ necks before it was caught. They should have scrapped them. There is a video of a luthier correcting this, and some of the other errors on that re-issue.
Still have 1st 4 Rush albums, from living north of Windsor in Detroit during 70's, they were really popular and got a lot of airplay on both US & Canadian stations.
First, let me thank Alex and Rush for opening for my band Skyhook at the Northside Concert in Lansing Michigan in 1973. (maybe 1974, those days are little hazy) The 'volute' appears because of all the headstock breaks that began in the early 70's, and I believe from the abuse guitars were receiving at the hands of hard rockers. My broad-shouldered 1974 J-160E broke the headstock off during a move of domicile,, not abuse. It was replaced by the Kalamazoo fellas quite quickly. Thanks to Rem and all at the factory back them. Good work Trogly,, keep up the good work.
One of the most gorgeous guitars ever to grace rock. Any time I get the rare chance to play one of these beasts the first thing I break out is the Hemispheres intro or the first heavy riff of A Farewell to Kings. It feels obligatory
This sounds amazing for a 355 and so pretty! Probably why you never see these up for sale. I have seen his signature Memphis ES on Reverb a few times for silly monies.
You need to check out the new Godin Lerxst Limelight which Godin worked closely with Alex Lifeson to reimagine/update his infamous Hentor Sportscaster from the early to mid 1980’s.
Bought a custom shop Les Paul 1960 (beautiful guitar AAA sunburst top) in 2008 and then saw this guitar on the shelf months later. ARGHHH. Still have the Les Paul, but man I would have loved to have that ES-355
I have one that I bought new as well. I wanted one ever since I had seen Alex walk out on stage with it during the "A Farewell To Kings" tour in '77. They weren't VOS and the volute was not supposed to be that low, it was an error by Gibson. They wouldn't make it right and they actually blamed Alex for it, stating that he approved the the prototype. Mine has since creamed as did Alex's after some time and the volute isn't really an issue for me.
he put a Kahler in it in the late 80's,along with his Howard Roberts Jazz Fusion, and it was "restored" by Freddy Gabreks in the mid 90's the HRJF just had a chrome plate put over the Kahler hole.
Me likey , RUSH has/had a guitar player , his name is Alex Lifeson , the ES-355 in White is/was one of his guitars , I like this guitar a LOT , the whole lot ! Thanks Trogly !
Pretty guitar. But I think I’d rather have the Epiphone Inspired By Gibson Custom version. It’s less money, for one thing, and it doesn’t have the Varitone-I really don’t like those things! I had a Gibson ES-345 years ago, and I used two positions on the Varitone/-1 and 2. More like a volume cut on #2. I don’t really need the Vibrola either, although I love them on SGs-I really want an Epi ‘63 SG Custom front the Inspired By…series, but I like their ES-355 too. White looks nice, but to me a 355 is Cherry.
I wanted a 355 just like Alex, but they're just too expensive. I bought a blonde 347 and I'm very happy with it. I want to change the pickups though...
Thought about getting one of these. Bought a real 1977 355 instead. Gibson couldnt be bothered to get these tributes right so I wasnt wasting any money on one.
Trogly, these where not VOS. The gold is shinny and beautiful. the volute was made like that by Gibson. one guy on reverb was trying to sell one for the longest time that he had gotten redone by a luthier to put the volute in the right place. after that nobody wanted to buy it.
Bummer to spend a bucketful on a custom guitar plus Trogly’s services only to have Trogly say he doesn’t like your example because it’s unbalanced and heavy with an unfavorable neck profile.
Are you going to do a demo of the Epiphone Coronet? I bought one last month, and it's awesome! I know you talked smack on it, but come on! Give us a review.
The thing to remember is the volute is there to get more material where the headstock is prone to break so Gibson was probably experimenting with the location to strike a balance between strength and playability.
I have number 43. Bought new threw Musicians friend. Original retail price was $3699.00 Mine shipped 04/18/2008. I pre-ordered as soon as it was announced. There was no aging on the guitar. The volute was talked about online after release. I did not care but a few online were pissed. I have seen three of these 355's and all three had different volute profiles. My friend bought two from I think Wildwood guitars. Kept the one he liked and sold the other one to someone from UK. Thanks to Trogly I removed the pickguard and is stored.
I have number 69!! New from Long & McQuade Burlington, ON, Canada. Mine as well as 2 other 355's came through that store. I know this cause i was number 2 on the list and after the other person's and mine were delivered, I'd still venture back to the store to see what they would have in stock.. And about 2 to 4 months later there was another AL 355 on the wall! That one sat for, I'd say almost a full year, more or less... And the amount of different fingers on it, and dust, etc... A few years later, another AL 355 came through the same store too!! Not the wall hanger, perhaps the person from Burlington, but i doubt it, there are more than a few Rush cover bands in the Southern Ontario GTA area.... But I've noticed on the two other AL 355's I've held in person they all had a tiny black mark on the upper horn or body, relative to playing position. My thought was just the way they sprayed the white and buffed it, they'd always not spray enough or take too much off there... There were at least 9 Prototypes, too! Freddy Gabresk sold AL Proto 9 for Big Al himself on his website a more than a few years back ago.. I almost debated selling my AL 069 to finance buying that one..
I've seen Alex playing the real one a few times 🙂
Ditto
I wish they brought this guitar back.
Rush was a force to be reckoned with live. Alex playing his EDS while switching between that and a classical on a stand. Neil hammering seamlessly between an acoustic and an electric kit on a rotating stage. And Geddy playing bass with his fretting hand, synth with the other, and singing simultaneously. Those guys were/are on another level.
And Geddy on bass pedals, too…
@@JohnnyArtPavlou I can’t answer a yes or no question while playing
too bad the band vocals were crap. the only reason i cant listen to Rush, his voice just kills me.
I saw Rush 19 times in concert and my very first one was signals in 1982 and he played limelight on that guitar.
I got to see them six times and the last Primus supported.... I'd never even heard of them 😮
@@UphillGardener-ly5sh I saw them with Primus back in the early 90's, maybe the Presto tour. I'd never heard of Primus either, but I became a fan. 3rd row back, centre stage Birmingham NEC (UK) I think.
@@mordokch Roll the bones I think 🙂
I saw him play it in Chicago on Power Windows tour, that's how long I have been drooling over this guitar🎸
I am in love ❤ with that 355. Alex certainly pushed the love for these in the 70's and early 80. Then came his affinity for the super-strats and PRS.
King Lerxst👑👑🍻🍻
Alex has played some really cool guitars over the years, but my favorites are the Les Paul Custom Axcess models.
I had this guitar when it first came out, and complained about the Volute to Gibson, and was told that the reissue was a direct copy of Lifeson's 355, and that he approved this.
I saw them on the Farewell to Kings tour in Rochester, N.Y. He was playing that guitar. I was surprised that he auctioned that one off; but hey, $384k! That low volute was actually a factory screw-up. Story is that they ran 300+ necks before it was caught. They should have scrapped them. There is a video of a luthier correcting this, and some of the other errors on that re-issue.
Still have 1st 4 Rush albums, from living north of Windsor in Detroit during 70's, they were really popular and got a lot of airplay on both US & Canadian stations.
Thanks for the tip on taking the pickguard off!
Thanks Trogly! Arrived shortly before the vid dropped, really stoked to finally have my dream guitar 🎸
Freaky Volute would be a good name for a band.
First, let me thank Alex and Rush for opening for my band Skyhook at the Northside Concert in Lansing Michigan in 1973. (maybe 1974, those days are little hazy) The 'volute' appears because of all the headstock breaks that began in the early 70's, and I believe from the abuse guitars were receiving at the hands of hard rockers. My broad-shouldered 1974 J-160E broke the headstock off during a move of domicile,, not abuse. It was replaced by the Kalamazoo fellas quite quickly. Thanks to Rem and all at the factory back them. Good work Trogly,, keep up the good work.
Low volute is cray cray, I’m with you on that
Pretty, white 2008 Lifeson 335, despite the droopy volute! But I must have missed the new Iguana Burst Victory episode...🧐🤷♂
One of the most gorgeous guitars ever to grace rock. Any time I get the rare chance to play one of these beasts the first thing I break out is the Hemispheres intro or the first heavy riff of A Farewell to Kings. It feels obligatory
Lifeson the legend man, and that guitar is a icon..pretty awesome, but yeah that is odd about the neck..
This sounds amazing for a 355 and so pretty! Probably why you never see these up for sale. I have seen his signature Memphis ES on Reverb a few times for silly monies.
You need to check out the new Godin Lerxst Limelight which Godin worked closely with Alex Lifeson to reimagine/update his infamous Hentor Sportscaster from the early to mid 1980’s.
Bought a custom shop Les Paul 1960 (beautiful guitar AAA sunburst top) in 2008 and then saw this guitar on the shelf months later. ARGHHH. Still have the Les Paul, but man I would have loved to have that ES-355
I have one that I bought new as well. I wanted one ever since I had seen Alex walk out on stage with it during the "A Farewell To Kings" tour in '77. They weren't VOS and the volute was not supposed to be that low, it was an error by Gibson. They wouldn't make it right and they actually blamed Alex for it, stating that he approved the the prototype. Mine has since creamed as did Alex's after some time and the volute isn't really an issue for me.
Extremely Iconic guitar Alex is a legend 🤘
Awesome guitar! Love it!
Hey Trogley! Sandblasting technique to the gibson logo?!? What's that all about??
I wonder if he added the fancy vibrola to try to balance out the neck, like on some SGs.
His original was refinished at least once.
he put a Kahler in it in the late 80's,along with his Howard Roberts Jazz Fusion, and it was "restored" by Freddy Gabreks in the mid 90's the HRJF just had a chrome plate put over the Kahler hole.
Have you had his ES Les Paul on the show? Its a dream guitar for me
My very first concert was Rush on the Permanent Waves tour in 1980. Can't believe Alex sold Whitey.
I like it. Not crazy about the bridge. I also like the Epi version, So nice. I love LP I just can't help myself with the flames or solid color.
The 'harmonica' bridges are no top shelf hardware. Buy a good replacement, have a real luthier install it.
@@robnamowicz8073Nonsense. The new ones are solid steel with steel or brass saddles.
I’ve always been a fan of the maestro vibrola 😉😉
Hi Austin,😎👍I like this 335 and I’ve seen Alex Playing it so that’s good enough for me. Thanks for sharing Trog.💀🖤⭐️🕊🦋🕊🙏✌️🎉🇺🇸🎉🇬🇧
I was watching this on Reverb. Started off at $11k and dropped to $8k before selling. Just fyi
I get up ,Around 7 yeah Go to work at 9 ............That`s why they call me the working .......
Maaaaannn!!!!!
Lol, that was the first riff I belted out on getting this axe!!
Me likey , RUSH has/had a guitar player , his name is Alex Lifeson , the ES-355 in White is/was one of his guitars , I like this guitar a LOT , the whole lot ! Thanks Trogly !
Is this a bot?
I believe it is in this instance, a whole lot.
Pretty guitar. But I think I’d rather have the Epiphone Inspired By Gibson Custom version. It’s less money, for one thing, and it doesn’t have the Varitone-I really don’t like those things! I had a Gibson ES-345 years ago, and I used two positions on the Varitone/-1 and 2. More like a volume cut on #2. I don’t really need the Vibrola either, although I love them on SGs-I really want an Epi ‘63 SG Custom front the Inspired By…series, but I like their ES-355 too. White looks nice, but to me a 355 is Cherry.
Alex’s tech Scott said it has a really small neck and he’s surprised Alex can play it with his big hands
I wanted a 355 just like Alex, but they're just too expensive. I bought a blonde 347 and I'm very happy with it. I want to change the pickups though...
That has the tightest neck joint ive ever seen Gibson do
Thought about getting one of these. Bought a real 1977 355 instead. Gibson couldnt be bothered to get these tributes right so I wasnt wasting any money on one.
Review a 2024 Aria SB-1000 bass
Hi I am looking for a Charlie Star Less Paul Jr. I have a 2006 Gibson Less Paul standard AAA top to trade
Awesome
GET A YAMAHA S A 2200 ON YOUR SHOW
I need an Epiphone version. 🎉
My b.b. king weighs an absolute ton. I've never had it on a scale but if it's not 13lbs or more I'd be surprised.
Damn!
I had the pleasure of seeing him live.
In which case it's a stone.
Love valutes but yeah far down❤
Not sure that the the case here is original. I had one of these and the case was custom shop branded, with an Alex signature.
AHHH :D oh hey that's a guitar i have!! :D
Curious how a reissue would be priced in the current market?
You need to ask Gibson to make you one.
Where’s the new Victory review?!
Hopefully early next week
THIS is the Lerxst model I want!!! One thing to document, are the “Mouse Ears” pointy like 70s spec or did they follow the 50s rounding?
Might be listing mine soon 😵💫
Trogly, these where not VOS. The gold is shinny and beautiful. the volute was made like that by Gibson. one guy on reverb was trying to sell one for the longest time that he had gotten redone by a luthier to put the volute in the right place. after that nobody wanted to buy it.
FIRST!
Evening Troglodytes!!!
Epiphone should have made their new $1,499 white ES-355 the Alex Lifeson Signature instead.They dropped the ball.
Butter 🧈 butter 🧈 butter
Bummer to spend a bucketful on a custom guitar plus Trogly’s services only to have Trogly say he doesn’t like your example because it’s unbalanced and heavy with an unfavorable neck profile.
It’s not anything like Alex’s 355 starting with the neck.
Yahoo!!!
Are you going to do a demo of the Epiphone Coronet? I bought one last month, and it's awesome! I know you talked smack on it, but come on! Give us a review.
Best way to get me to review a model you’d like to see is to buy through my NGD program!
troglysguitarshow.com/ngd/?amp
If you own it why do you want a review?
The thing to remember is the volute is there to get more material where the headstock is prone to break so Gibson was probably experimenting with the location to strike a balance between strength and playability.
Production is not an experiment.
BS. They botched it and didnt own up to it.
Nc
✌️
Not as much a Rush icon as Geddy’s steinberger bass!
Where did you source the icon guage?
LOL HUH?
I took liberties…
All WINGS REPORT IN
Red 5, standing by!
Can you help me?
How much can you afford?
Z is for late