In 1976, Alex Lifeson visited the Gibson factory and ordered a white ES-355. “Whitey” became one of the most recognizable guitars in rock, his main instrument on decades of Rush records and tours. When Gibson Custom Shop built a tribute to it in 2008 for the Inspired By series, the run was small and made in that year only. This is number 036.

Whitey itself sold at auction in 2024 for $384,000. This is the official Gibson Custom Shop way to own that guitar’s spec.

The guitar
Gibson modeled it on Lifeson’s 1976 355. It has a laminated plain maple top, back and rims in Alpine White with multi-ply white binding, and gold hardware throughout. The three-piece maple neck has a slim ’60s profile, like the small, fast neck on Lifeson’s original. The bound ebony fingerboard has mother of pearl block inlays, 22 medium jumbo frets, a 12" radius, and a 24¾" scale.

The hardware matches Whitey: an adjustable wide-travel Tune-O-Matic bridge, a Maestro long vibrola, gold Grover Rotomatic tuners with keystone buttons, a bone nut, witch hat knobs, and a tortoise pickguard.

The sound
A pair of Gibson ‘57 Classic humbuckers give it warm, articulate, vintage-voiced tone. That’s the range Lifeson used for everything from shimmering arpeggios to big overdriven chords. The center block keeps feedback in check at stage volume, and the Maestro gives you gentle vibrato shimmer without leaving the classic ES look.

Condition
Excellent condition with very light play wear. No repairs or modifications; all original. The hardware has lost the gold luster over time. The labels on both volume knobs and one tone knob have fallen off (see photos). The tone knob label that fell off is in the case.

Action is low and the guitar just plays well and easily.

Details

• Model: Gibson Custom Shop Inspired By Alex Lifeson ES-355, 2008
• Number: 036
• Includes: Gibson Custom Shop hardshell case, certificate of authenticity, case candy

Lifeson tribute guitars from Gibson Custom in this condition rarely come up for sale. If you’re a Rush fan or an ES collector, this is the one to own. Feel free to ask questions or request more photos.