Song Rig
Limelight
Alex Lifeson · Moving Pictures · 1981
Tone Overview
What Makes This Sound Unique
The most celebrated Alex Lifeson solo — a perfectly constructed melodic statement through a cranked Marshall. The clean ES-335 intro arpeggios contrast sharply with the dense, harmonically complex chorus guitar work, making it one of Rush's most tonally varied tracks.
Signal Chain
- 1Gibson ES-335 (clean intro arpeggios)
- 2Fender Stratocaster (main riff and solo)
- 3Marshall 1959 Super Lead 100W
- 4MXR Phase 100 (very subtle)
Amp Settings
Marshall at high gain for the main body of the track — Lifeson's compressed, mid-forward tone is denser than Page or Townshend. The ES-335 intro uses a separate clean channel before switching to the Marshall-driven Strat.
Technique
How to Play It
The intro arpeggio uses the ES-335's natural warmth with pick placement near the neck — almost acoustic in character. The solo uses wide interval leaps and sustained note choices rather than fast scalar runs; every note is given room to speak.
Budget Alternative
Achievable With
Strat + Marshall-voiced amp (DSL5, Origin 20) at gain 6-7 + MXR Phase 90 very subtly in the effects loop. A semi-hollow for the clean intro arpeggio section if possible.
More from Alex Lifeson