[ron2112]

Excerpt of an interview with Alex Lifeson.

Regarding the Les Pauls, have you made any new modifications to them?

"I haven't done anything since I got those guitars, but I've been working with Gibson on putting together a Les Paul Axcess model, which would be an Alex Lifeson signature guitar. It'll have the Floyd Rose, the piezo pickup in the bridge and single-coil taps in the volume pots. Basically, we've taken everything you could want in a guitar and we're putting it into a really true utility instrument in a fantastic platform."

Can we get any input from a Gibson mod?

[Superdick2112]

Ron,

I doubt Admin will chime in here - seems like they stopped responding to our questions a while ago...

If a Lifeson Signature Axcess does happen, I'll be happy, but also a little bummed.
The only way I could justify buying one would be to sell my Ice Tea Axcess, and I have 2 issues with that;
used Axcess guitars sell for a lot less than new ones, and mine plays and sounds fantastic, so I would miss it.

Still, I'm very interested to hear when these will be coming out...

[1meanmalibu]

Hi Ron,

I'd like to read the whole interview with Alex. Where can I find
the interview or is there a link that you can direct me to?
Much appreciated!

[ron2112]

http://www.musicrada...pictures-274543

Hey Mean,

Pretty interesting interview. Enjoy.

I've been looking for a Les Paul for a while now. Almost picked up a used Axcess last year, but I was very undecided if I should get a Custom or Historic instead. Glad I did not pull the trigger. Hopefully we'll hear something on this Lifeson model soon.

This might have to be be a birthday, Christmas, Valantines Day, Father's Day and Ground Hogs day gift to myself.

Superdick2112...Happy to hear you are loving the Axcess. I have not come across anyone online that had negative things to say about that guitar.

[RUSHian]

If Gibson does make the LP Axess, I hope they have Epiphone produce it also for us poor guitar players/fans.

[Superdick2112]

RUSHian, I'll bet there is a good chance of an Epi version, as they already make an Epi Les Paul with a Floyd.
I wonder if the Gibby version will be a limited edition like my Lifeson ES-355, or a "make as many as we can sell" version.
Seeing as how I recently bought 2 new Ric basses, I probably won't be getting another Les Paul for some time...

[Crappy]

Well here is a picture of it from NAMM

[Superdick2112]

Also available in a transparent wine red color.

http://guitarinterna...xcess-les-paul/

Other than the covered pickups & the piezo bridge, it appears to be a standard Axcess. I was hoping for a super-flamed top & abalone inlays (like Big Al's) as opposed to the pearloid ones, but overall, not too shabby!

[ron2112]

Superdick2112, on 18 January 2011 - 07:13 AM, said:

Also available in a transparent wine red color.

http://guitarinterna...xcess-les-paul/

Other than the covered pickups & the piezo bridge, it appears to be a standard Axcess. I was hoping for a super-flamed top & abalone inlays (like Big Al's) as opposed to the pearloid ones, but overall, not too shabby!

I think I read elsewhere that the body is full thickness, not slimmer like the Axcess. I agree on the inlays and top. Not sure where they chose RED as a finish option.

[Superdick2112]

I just read that the Alex Lifeson Axcess model will be a limited run of 50 signed units, 25 of each color, in Viceroy Brown and Royal Crimson. These will be signed by Alex, and then a run of unsigned production models will follow. List on the regular version is over $6k, and I don't know what the signed version will sell for, but I'll bet it won't be cheap!

[elvtnedge]

Superdick2112, on 19 January 2011 - 06:54 AM, said:

I just read that the Alex Lifeson Axcess model will be a limited run of 50 signed units, 25 of each color, in Viceroy Brown and Royal Crimson. These will be signed by Alex, and then a run of unsigned production models will follow. List on the regular version is over $6k, and I don't know what the signed version will sell for, but I'll bet it won't be cheap!

The street price in Canada is 6150 for the signed model and 4075 for the non signed

[Superdick2112]

elvtnedge, on 19 January 2011 - 09:35 AM, said:

The street price in Canada is 6150 for the signed model and 4075 for the non signed

Well, as much as I admire Big Al (and I really do), it looks like I'll be shooting for a non-signed red model, as I already have a standard Axcess in Ice Tea, and the red would look really nice next to my Lifeson ES-355.

[SolitaryPine]

Superdick2112, on 19 January 2011 - 10:05 AM, said:

Well, as much as I admire Big Al (and I really do), it looks like I'll be shooting for a non-signed red model, as I already have a standard Axcess in Ice Tea, and the red would look really nice next to my Lifeson ES-355.

So you are going to get one, cool!

I just sent an inquiry to my favorite local dealer to find out about pre-orders. Having just shelled out for the ES-355 in September, and a bunch of new gear in December, I was secretly hoping this would be delayed a little longer, but there is no question I have to get one of these! And a red one will perfectly replace and upgrade my LP Studio in wine red.

[Superdick2112]

SolitaryPine, on 27 January 2011 - 11:32 AM, said:

So you are going to get one, cool!

I just sent an inquiry to my favorite local dealer to find out about pre-orders. Having just shelled out for the ES-355 in September, and a bunch of new gear in December, I was secretly hoping this would be delayed a little longer, but there is no question I have to get one of these! And a red one will perfectly replace and upgrade my LP Studio in wine red.

Well, I hadn't planned on it, but after seeing the red one, I'm gassing pretty hard. Wildwood Guitars here in Colorado has a few each of both colors on order, and will call me when they arrive. Like you, the timing isn't the best - I just picked up a Ric 4001C64 and an SWR Headlite, so I really shouldn't be thinking about more new toys right now.

Hmmm, tax return time IS just around the corner...

[SolitaryPine]

Yeah, I confirmed a pre-order with Steve @ Wildwood by phone yesterday.

EDIT: My deposit receipt from Wildwood includes the following description:

Gibson Alex Lifeson Signature Les Paul Axcess, Royal Crimson, Figured Maple Top, Mahogany Back, Mahogany Neck, 496R and 498T Pickups, Signature Custom Shop Hardsell Case

[elvtnedge]

Just curious what you were quoted at wildwood for the guitar.

Im gassing bad for the red as well. Im just not sure if a Les Paul with a floyd is for me. Don't get me wrong, I have Ibanez's etc with floyds and I don't play them much as I'm so used to non locking systems for the past 7-8 years I don't know if I could go back to dealing with an allen wrench etc.. know what I mean?

[SolitaryPine]

elvtnedge, on 30 January 2011 - 11:49 PM, said:

Just curious what you were quoted at wildwood for the guitar.

Im gassing bad for the red as well. Im just not sure if a Les Paul with a floyd is for me. Don't get me wrong, I have Ibanez's etc with floyds and I don't play them much as I'm so used to non locking systems for the past 7-8 years I don't know if I could go back to dealing with an allen wrench etc.. know what I mean?

I don't think I should post their price, but I will say it is less than what was quoted above. Just call them, they have 10 coming (5 in each color) and I'm sure they would be happy to give you a quote.

Yeah, I hear you on the allen wrench. I am not bothered by it, but then again I'm not bothered by the volute either, so maybe I'm overly tolerant.

[RoccoJ20]

See I think I would be a lot happier with one of these than an Ibanez trem. I've had a number of cheap Ibanez and One Jem, and compared to an original floyd the edge sytems just feel like toys haha. Don't get me wrong I miss the Jem like hell, but that red model with the original floyd just sounds like a piece of amazing. all it needs is a d-tuna and then it would be perfect. I wonder what pups they're going to put in. I hope something like 57's or something like that. I love burstbucker and the 490/500 line are decent, but they are really flooding the market. Although I think I am the only one who believes that P90's make for some of the best Rush tones. I played my ex's mom's 63 SG with them in and the middle position was surprisingly perfect for limelight and even some snakes and arrows stuff. Let the P90 hate begin...lol

[SolitaryPine]

Well the Pups are apparently 496r and 498t according to Wildwood.

[elvtnedge]

SolitaryPine, on 31 January 2011 - 10:09 AM, said:

I don't think I should post their price, but I will say it is less than what was quoted above. Just call them, they have 10 coming (5 in each color) and I'm sure they would be happy to give you a quote.

Yeah, I hear you on the allen wrench. I am not bothered by it, but then again I'm not bothered by the volute either, so maybe I'm overly tolerant.

I just called to see and it is cheaper but to ship to canada with duty it works out to more.. which I figured anyways. Also they WONT ship north of the border for Gibson policy rules..

still gassing though.. and I dont mind the volute either..lol