Alex Lifeson Les Paul Axcess: What do you think?

[GuitarPilot65]

Here's a link:  http://www.musiciansfriend.com/alex-lifeson-les-paul-axcess

I know I know, "'over-processed' guitar signal," "too many stop-time movements" (which I find particuarly appealing), "I just don't get them," and so-on.  I've heard all the comments over the years, and yes, they're still my favourite.  ;-)

Anyway, this guitar seems pretty impressive, and he is very particular about his hardware.  Certainly seems like an all-in-one for the Gibson connasseur.  Would you or wouldn't you?
 

[G._Hoffman]

Here's a link:  http://www.musiciansfriend.com/alex-lifeson-les-paul-axcess

I know I know, "'over-processed' guitar signal," "too many stop-time movements" (which I find particuarly appealing), "I just don't get them," and so-on.  I've heard all the comments over the years, and yes, they're still my favourite.  ;-)

Anyway, this guitar seems pretty impressive, and he is very particular about his hardware.  Certainly seems like an all-in-one for the Gibson connasseur.  Would you or wouldn't you?
 

Nope.  Sorry, but Les Pauls with Floyds are wrong.  They sound wrong, they feel wrong, and they look wrong.  Rush are great and all, but that guitar shouldn't have been made!

No one ever accused me of not having an opinion on anything.


Gabriel

[GuitarPilot65]

Sorry, but Les Pauls with Floyds are wrong.

I have to agree with you on that one.  Its reputation was certainly built on traditional dual volume/ dual tone pots and fixed bridge. 

[Willabe]

A bigsby tail is fine, IMHO.  Nice little shimmer, wiggle.

            Brad       
       

[EL34]

Sorry, but Les Pauls with Floyds are wrong

If it helps ease your pain, just pretend it's not a Les Paul.
Alex likes his guitar that way or he would not have had it built.

I say go for it if you want it.

Remember, the world is ending in 2012?
Might as well have the guitar you desire in your arms when the world ends again.  

Just make sure you like that sort of bridge.
It would suck to get the guitar and then hate it.

[Ritchie200]

Yeah, they did put that ridiculous Bigsby on them!  At least the Floyd will stay in tune!  I agree with all of you actually!  It's like a humbucker on a Strat...why?  I sure as heck would not buy one, but someone must be or they wouldn't be making them.  And if that is your thing - hey knock yourself out!  Alex has certainly paid his dues and is long overdue for something like this.  I have been a fan since the beginning - when I saw them at an outdoor gig at a local radio station's kite fly at a park in 1974.  They are the ONLY prog rock band I can listen to over and over.  They are awesome talents.  I think it's great!  Would I buy one? Nope..  But then I wouldn't buy ANY LP!

Jim

[Geezer]

It's like a humbucker on a Strat...why?

Because I like the feel of a Strat (contoured body against my big fat belly and the smoothness against my right forearm) and the sound of a humbucker....it's my favorite guitar. IMO a perfect combination, so much so that I don't (much) even look at other guitars, I'm that happy with my "girl"  ...All the others are just "backups"

But come to think about it, I guess I'm just that kind'a guy...my (one and only) wife & I are celebrating 30 years next month. Once I find a good thing I tend to hold onto it... 

Except, of course, when it comes to amplifiers! I've gone a'whoring after every siren call when it comes to those, but I believe I'm very close to settling down, even on this....

Good nature'dly, Geezer

[GuitarPilot65]

I don't plan to buy one either; only way I'll own one is if I win it from Musician's Friend. 

[Ritchie200]

Remember, the world is ending in 2012?

Wait....I thought.....it was......2112.....hehehehe.....

Jim

[G._Hoffman]

Sorry, but Les Pauls with Floyds are wrong

If it helps ease your pain, just pretend it's not a Les Paul.
Alex likes his guitar that way or he would not have had it built.

No pain involved.  I've done if for people.  But if asked for my personal opinion (as we all were in the OP), I think they are wrong.  I just don't think it sounds right, and it makes them feel all wrong to me.  Plus, of course, it looks a bit too Def Leppard for me. 


Gabriel

[EL34]

It's like a humbucker on a Strat...why?

I have Strat's with humbuckers.
Would not ever own one again without a HB in the bridge.

Throw one little switch, split the coil and you have a single coil
Best of both worlds.

I used to be able to do clean surf stuff and ZZ top with the same guitar.
You need a single coil to get some sounds
You need a humbucker to get some sounds.

[GuitarPilot65]

I have Strat's with humbuckers.
Would not ever own one again without a HB in the bridge.

Throw one little switch, split the coil and you have a single coil
Best of both worlds.

I used to be able to do clean surf stuff and ZZ top with the same guitar.
You need a single coil to get some sounds
You need a humbucker to get some sounds.

Agreed.  My ESP LTD H-202 has the coil-tapping capability.  However I always have to be cognizant when switching from tapped to HB; HB positions are much "hotter."
 

[G._Hoffman]

Bastardized Strats always make more sense to me.  They are such a modular and kind of cheesy design to begin with (and I say that as a lifelong Strat player!), that changing the design makes more sense.  Plus, the whole EVH thing, of course.



Gabriel

[GuitarPilot65]

  Plus, the whole EVH thing, of course.

Wasn't Ed's "Frankenstein" originally a Kramer Strat copy?

[G._Hoffman]

  Plus, the whole EVH thing, of course.

Wasn't Ed's "Frankenstein" originally a Kramer Strat copy?

The first one was a Charvel neck and body with a old Gibson PAF he rewound by hand (thus making it no longer a PAF, to be sure!).  The Kramer versions came later.  Basically a Strat with a humbucker, and while one can argue that Van Halen's music is a bit adolescent, you can't possibly argue that it wasn't good nor that his tone was anything but great and unique.


Gabriel

[thermion]

Wait....I thought.....it was......2112.....hehehehe

Nice.

If I wanted something like this and had 4 gino to blow on a guitar I'd get a parker fly.

[G._Hoffman]

Wait....I thought.....it was......2112.....hehehehe

Nice.

If I wanted something like this and had 4 gino to blow on a guitar I'd get a parker fly.

Not a bad choice, all things considered.  I really like those guitars.

Well, except for that little pointy horn on the bass side cutaway that digs right into my sternum in a most uncomfortable way!


Gabriel

[alerich]

Count me as another vote for the stop tailpiece on a Les Paul. A trem is not quite sacrilege but pretty damned close. I love the Axcess neck joint concept. If I ever see an Agile AL-3200 on Craigslist I'll be snapping it up. My guitar stable is comprised of three 1989 Epiphone Les Pauls manufactured within 60 days of one another (one Standard and two Customs) so it's hard for me to envision paying four large for a guitar. If I had that sort of money to throw at a guitar it would be one of those custom shop Stars and Stripes Les Pauls.

Having said that I love Rush and Alex Lifeson. Two very unique sounds.