Alex Lifeson

Video captures from the Taylor Hawkins tribute concert shows Alex Lifeson using the Fractal FM9, apparently for effects only (he’s plugged direct into an amp).

This site states that Alex uses these strings. I remember hearing the gauges he uses for six strings are 9-46 and 11-50.

According to Guitar Lobby, Alex used 1965 Fender Super Reverb.

At 2:06, you can see PL-8C right below Axe-FX II

In this Rig Rundown by Premier Guitar, PL-8 can be seen at 5:41 in Alex's rack.

At 2:06, you can see Axe-FX II on the top of Alex's rack.

In this guitar player interview from April 1986 Alex was asked,

What causes the Far Eastern tone in the opening of "Territories"?

That's just the Ibanez HD-1000 Harmonics/Delay set at an octave above with a little bit of modulation. The harmonics level is set at about 70%, the direct is set at the full 100%, and I was on the middle pickup on the black Strat. I used left-hand finger-pulls. After that, it switches to a much crisper tone, and to do that in concert, I just switch to the back pickup.

In this diagram on the official Line6 website of Alex’s gear rig for the Moving Pictures tour, a MXR Micro Amp is shown as the first pedal in his signal chain.

The official Line6 website provides a detailed diagram of Alex Lifeson's gear setup for the Moving Pictures tour, which confirms that the MXR M104 Distortion+ pedal was used as the second pedal in his signal chain. This serves as direct evidence of Lifeson's use of the pedal during this period.

Alex Lifeson uses the Mesa/Boogie V Twin preamp pedal in the Test for Echo tour (1996) , as documented on the Mesa Boogie Legacy website.

Alex Lifeson uses the IK Multimedia TONEX, as confirmed in the YouTube video titled "New Alex Lifeson Legacy TONEX Signature Collection" by ikmultimedia. The video highlights the release of the Alex Lifeson Legacy Signature Collection, which features tone models based on amplifiers selected by Lifeson himself.

In a video by Gibson TV, guitarist Alex Lifeson discusses the Gibson Custom Shop Alex Lifeson EDS-1275 Doubleneck 2015-2016, a replica of his iconic '70s Gibson Double Neck. Lifeson notes that the guitar has been meticulously matched to his original, including "all these little nicks and scratches and cracks in the finish just like the original has."

On a listing by Julien's Auctions, the provenance of Alex Lifeson's original ES-355, dubbed "Whitey" is shown, along with extensive photographic evidence of Lifeson playing this guitar.

According to Julien's Auction Site, "The Signature Auroras were used in studio by Alex Lifeson during the production of Hold Your Fire (Anthem, 1987) and popularized by him on stage during the subsequent tour."

In an interview with Guitar World, guitarist Alex Lifeson confirmed that he used the Electro-Harmonix Electric Mistress Flanger/Filter Matrix on the Rush song "Spirit of Radio." He stated, "The flanger on that song was an Electro-Harmonix Electric Mistress, which I still have."

Alex Lifeson uses the PRS SE Alex Lifeson Signature Acoustic guitar during his new tours, as evidenced by footage of him playing "Closer to the Heart" with this guitar. The proof can be seen in the image provided.

Alex Lifeson, the guitarist, confirmed his use of the Maestro Echoplex EP-2 in a session by stating, "My effects were a Maestro phase-shifter and a good old Echoplex," as reported by Chris Gill in the Guitar World article titled "Alex Lifeson reveals his tone and playing secrets behind 11 landmark Rush tracks."

In Rick Beato's YouTube interview titled "The Alex Lifeson Interview," Alex Lifeson confirms at the 13:28 mark that he uses the Fractal Audio Axe-FX III Preamp/FX Processor for touring.

Alex Lifeson uses the Epiphone Inspired by Gibson Custom Alex Lifeson 1976 ES-355 Reissue Electric Guitar, as confirmed by its feature in a 2026 Gibson/Epiphone magazine detailing his signature model. This information is supported by the Gibson Gazette's article, "Epiphone launches the Alex Lifeson 1976 ES-355 Reissue."