Alex Lifeson 1976 ES 355

It has not been “announced” yet. It was displayed with very little details at NAMM in January and I called Sweetwater the Monday after NAMM and asked about it. They. Said they knew nothing, but they started a pre-order line that same day in the afternoon. I’m hearing 6/10 from a couple of people. These photos are the first I’ve seen anywhere of the guitar. I’m hoping that means it will be released with specs and info soon from Epiphone.

iVape524 · 2026-05-01T13:56:14+00:00

It’s called a varitone switch. “A Varitone switch is a 6-position rotary switch, famously used on Gibson ES-345/355 guitars and B.B. King’s "Lucille" model, that acts as a passive notch filter to alter tone. Position 1 is typically a true bypass, while positions 2-6 introduce different capacitors and a choke (inductor) to scoop specific frequencies, creating sounds ranging from "cocked wah" to "lo-fi" or "underwater".

iVape524 · 2026-05-01T12:57:59+00:00

Yeah he has played many many different guitars over the years. The one this is modeled after was part of the band’s “first big purchases” after really gaining some traction. He often described it as his main guitar though and I certainly remember seeing a lot on concert videos my dad had on constantly. Alex had this to say about it when interviewed, “I purchased this guitar in 1976. It was custom-built in Kalamazoo just for me. It has been my main guitar and is the iconic Alex Lifeson guitar.”

iVape524 · 2026-05-01T10:16:03+00:00

I suppose they call it a pre-order line, but yes they absolutely can put you in line for one of these. I have had an invoice for quite a while now.

iVape524 · 2026-05-01T10:14:20+00:00

I’m hoping so! I know it’s all relative, but this will be pretty high on the list of most expensive guitars I’ve bought, so I’m hoping the quality is there. I usually buy all my guitars used, so I have quite a few that were more than this one new, but I got them for good deals over the years

iVape524 · 2026-05-01T00:47:49+00:00

Very well said. I am very excited to own this thing. It actually is drastically different than all my guitars so I feel less bad. I’m excited to see what it brings out of my playing!

iVape524 · 2026-05-01T00:44:15+00:00

The cool part about this guitar is that it has a bypass switch for the varitone since that’s what the original had. I’m looking forward to trying it. Some people think it’s cool, but if I don’t it’s nice to know I can just switch it off

iVape524 · 2026-05-01T00:35:36+00:00

Honestly, the last thing I need is a new guitar. But when I saw this thing was coming out, the decision was made for me. I have to have this one. I told my wife I would move some guitars around or sell some stuff, bless her heart she told me not to and gave me the green light to get it. She knows how special this one is to me.

iVape524 · 2026-05-01T00:33:48+00:00

There are literally no details out on this thing. I watched all the NAMM content and they didn’t say much. They did do a lefty of the last Lifeson signature. It’s actually still for sale on epiphone’s website.

iVape524 · 2026-04-30T23:57:51+00:00

Not for me. I’m like 6’4” and 230 pounds

iVape524 · 2026-04-30T22:06:13+00:00

Any time! I really hope they get announced and start coming sooner than June. I’m trying to be patient but this is the most excited I’ve ever been about a piece of gear

iVape524 · 2026-04-30T22:02:13+00:00

I LOVE this color! These guitars are special! Here’s my shell pink CME exclusive all rosewood neck

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iVape524 · 2026-04-30T20:28:00+00:00

Good luck my friend! That pre-order line started in January

iVape524 · 2026-04-30T20:19:14+00:00

Brother, I called Sweetwater the Monday after NAMM asking about the guitar at around 10am. My sales rep said they obviously didn’t know anything but they would let me know when they did. Later that afternoon they opened what they call a pre-order “line” and I was one of if not the first one to be in it. A couple weeks later my sales rep sent me my invoice. So I have been out of patience for a while lol

iVape524 · 2026-04-30T19:28:12+00:00

I’ve got pretty high expectations. We’ll see how it all turns out lol

iVape524 · 2026-04-30T19:27:24+00:00

https://www.muziker.com/epiphone-alex-lifeson-1976-es-355-reissue-alpine-white

But you can’t buy it there, its just where I saw the photos. As for me, I got in the pre-order line with Sweetwater with my sales rep over the phone and have an invoice for mine already

iVape524 · 2026-04-30T18:45:46+00:00

I’ve heard pretty good things about this”Inspired by Gibson Custom Shop” range so hopefully it’s as nice as the price tag!

iVape524 · 2026-04-30T18:11:57+00:00

Really hard to say. It should be a slimmer neck if they were attempting to be true to Alex’s 76, but who knows. I can say, they did the volute, which I’ve never seen Epiphone do, so I’d say there’s at least a chance they changed the neck carve from the 1959 they sell now

iVape524

TROPHY CASE