Guitarists and progressive rock fans have a major reason to celebrate. Epiphone has officially launched the Alex Lifeson 1976 ES-355 Reissue in Alpine White. Created in close partnership with the Gibson Custom Shop, this highly anticipated release brings the iconic tone, vibe, and aesthetic of the Rush guitarist’s legendary original instrument into a price bracket accessible to everyday musicians.
Priced at $1499.00/£1,199.00 (including a premium hardshell case), this model joins Epiphone’s acclaimed Inspired by Gibson Custom Collection, bridging the gap between budget-friendly pricing and authentic Custom Shop craftsmanship.
The Anatomy of a Prog-Rock Icon
The original 1976 Gibson ES-355 in Alpine White is deeply woven into the fabric of rock history, having sculpted the soaring textures and heavy riffs of Rush for nearly four decades. Epiphone’s reissue honors that legacy by meticulously replicating the features that made Lifeson’s guitar a unique tone machine.
Period-Correct Construction
Staying faithful to its ’70s heritage, the guitar features a resonant 5-ply maple/poplar semi-hollow body paired with a sturdy 3-piece maple neck. Crucially for vintage purists, the neck sports the historic headstock volute—a reinforcement characteristic of ’70s Gibsons.
Slim C
The neck is carved into a comfortable, fast Slim C profile and topped with a premium, sleek ebony fingerboard accented by striking block inlays and a Graph Tech nut.
Premium USA Gibson Electronics
Epiphone didn’t cut corners under the hood. The heart of this guitar lies in its pair of USA-made Gibson T-Type humbuckers. Based on the acclaimed “T-Top” pickups of the late ’60s and ’70s, these calibrated pickups deliver the warmth and dynamics of classic PAFs but with an added touch of top-end clarity and a tighter, highly articulate bass response.
The pickups are wired to elite components, including:
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CTS Potentiometers
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Mallory Capacitors
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Switchcraft switches and output jacks
The Varitone and Maestro Vibrola Systems
What truly sets this ES-355 apart from standard semi-hollows is its electronic flexibility. It includes a authentic mono Varitone switch—a 6-position notch filter that allows players to radically scoop and alter frequencies for unparalleled tonal variety. Epiphone has also included a mini-toggle switch to quickly bypass the Varitone circuit entirely.
Handling pitch bends is a gorgeous gold Maestro Vibrola system, paired with a vintage-style “Harmonica” Tune-O-Matic bridge, allowing for smooth, vocal-like vibrato effects.
Technical Specifications
| Feature | Specification |
| Body Material | 5-ply Maple/Poplar |
| Finish | Gloss Alpine White (Multi-ply binding) |
| Neck Material | 3-piece Maple with Volute |
| Neck Profile | Slim C |
| Fingerboard | Ebony with Block Inlays (22 Medium Jumbo Frets) |
| Scale Length | 24.75 in / 628.65 mm |
| Pickups | Gibson USA T-Type Humbuckers (Neck & Bridge) |
| Controls | 2 Vol, 2 Tone, CTS Pots, Mallory Caps, 6-Position Varitone Switch |
| Hardware | Gold Plating, Die-Cast Tuners, Harmonica Tune-O-Matic Bridge |
| Tailpiece | Maestro Vibrola |
| Included Accessories | Epiphone Hardshell Case |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the purpose of the Varitone switch?
The Varitone switch is a 6-position rotary notch filter. Each position filters out specific frequencies, allowing you to transition from thick, full humbucker tones to thinner, single-coil-like textures. The added mini-toggle lets you completely bypass this circuit for a direct, unaltered signal path.
Does this guitar come with a case?
Yes. The Epiphone Alex Lifeson ES-355 comes standard with a custom-fitted Epiphone hardshell case to keep your instrument secure on the road.
What makes the “Inspired by Gibson Custom” line different from standard Epiphones?
This premium collection features upgraded specifications usually reserved for high-end Gibson models. This includes genuine USA-made Gibson pickups, premium internal electronics (CTS pots, Mallory capacitors), an ebony fingerboard, and higher-tier hardware like the Maestro Vibrola and Harmonica bridge.
Is the neck profile bulky?
No. The guitar features a “Slim C” neck profile, designed to offer a great balance of speed and comfort that accommodates both rhythm players and fast lead work.
The Verdict
The Epiphone Alex Lifeson 1976 ES-355 Reissue is an absolute triumph for the Inspired by Gibson Custom line. Rather than delivering a watered-down tribute, Epiphone has loaded this guitar with genuine USA Gibson T-Type pickups, high-end electronics, an ebony board, and functional vintage hardware like the Varitone and Maestro Vibrola.
While the styling, gold hardware, and specific electronic layout are heavily tailored toward progressive rock and Rush devotees, the sheer tonal versatility of this instrument makes it a phenomenal, pro-level workhorse for jazz, blues, and alternative rock players alike. At £1,199.00, it delivers an authentic Custom Shop experience at a fraction of the price.
Gear Score: 8.4 / 10
Where To Buy
The new Epiphone Alex Lifeson 1976 ES-355 Reissue retails for $1499/£1099/€1499
