The Return of ‘Whitey’: Why the New Epiphone Alex Lifeson ES-355 is a Triumph for Real Players
- Chris Olson
- Jun 11
- 3 min read
By Chris Olson
If you were to look into the corner of my studio right now, you would see my absolute pride and joy: a well-loved, slightly battered Epiphone Jumbo acoustic. It has been my main songwriting partner for years, providing that rich, booming resonance that only a massive bit of timber can manage. I have always been a staunch defender of Epiphone. For decades, they have crafted instruments that do not just sit in glass cases; they are built for the stage, for the sweaty pubs, and for the musicians who actually need to play for a living.
So, when the news dropped today that Epiphone has teamed up with Gibson Custom to release the Alex Lifeson 1976 ES-355 Reissue in Alpine White, I might have let out a slightly unprofessional cheer. For any fan of Rush, progressive rock, or just bloody gorgeous guitars, this is a massive moment.
Alex Lifeson’s original 1976 ES-355—affectionately dubbed ‘Whitey’—is one of the most iconic instruments in rock history. It is the sonic architect behind the lush, swirling textures of A Farewell to Kings and Hemispheres. To see it recreated under the ‘Inspired by Gibson Custom’ banner is a testament to how far Epiphone has come in bridging the gap between heritage design and accessible pricing.
Looking through the specs, it is clear that they have not cut any corners here. The body is a classic five-ply semi-hollow construction made of maple and poplar, complete with multi-ply binding that gives it that premium, upscale aesthetic. Crucially, it features a solid maple center block. As someone who loves a bit of volume, I appreciate this immensely; it means you get all the warmth and sustain of a semi-hollow body without the horrific microphonic feedback when you step on a distortion pedal.
The three-piece maple neck mirrors the 1970s original, including the volute at the headstock for added structural strength. It is carved to a Slim C profile, which should offer a fast, effortless playing experience—perfect for navigating those complex, sprawling Rush riffs. It is capped with a proper ebony fretboard, decorated with mother-of-pearl large block inlays and 22 medium jumbo frets. To top it off, the headstock features the classic Gibson-style "open book" shape, complete with the Epiphone and Custom split diamond logos.
But where this guitar truly shines is the electronics package. This is not just a standard dual-humbucker setup. Epiphone has loaded this beast with two USA-made Gibson T-Type humbuckers, wired up to CTS potentiometers and Mallory capacitors. More importantly, it includes the legendary six-position mono Varitone switch, paired with a dedicated mini-toggle to engage or bypass the circuit entirely. This layout gives you a staggering array of tonal options, allowing you to scoop frequencies and shift from a fat, warm jazz growl to a thin, single-coil-style chime at the turn of a dial. Add in the gold Maestro Vibrola for those subtle, expressive pitch shimmers, and you have an incredibly versatile tool.
Alex Lifeson himself noted that the ES-355 has always offered an incredible balance of elegance and power. He expressed his thrills that players everywhere will get to experience this recreation and make it part of their own musical journey. He is not wrong. It is a guitar that practically begs you to explore new sonic territory.
It is an incredibly exciting year to be a Rush fan anyway. Alex has been busy pushing creative boundaries with his alt-rock project Envy of None, who just released their excellent sophomore album Stygian Wavz. Even better, he is currently preparing to hit the road with Geddy Lee for the "Fifty Something Tour" to celebrate the band’s incredible legacy, with Anika Nilles stepping in on drums to honor Neil Peart.
Knowing that Lifeson is taking the stage again while this stunning Alpine White reissue hits the shelves feels like a perfect alignment of the stars. It is a stage-ready instrument that pays proper homage to a legend. Now, if you will excuse me, I need to go convince my bank account that I desperately need an Alpine White semi-hollow to keep my Jumbo acoustic company.
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