Alex Lifeson has introduced the arrival of a brand new line of high-end signature tube amps, produced in collaboration with Mojotone, beneath the model title LERXST.
The partnership dates again to a custom-built head that Mojotone put collectively for Lifeson, round Rush’s 2012 Clockwork Angels recording and touring cycle. That head was later issued as a restricted version of 100 amps, dubbed the LERXST Omega.
Now the Omega returns with a full launch and a revamped purple and grey tolex masking, alongside a number of further options that open it as much as a wider vary of gamers.
As earlier than, the Omega is a two-channel head with a three-band EQ, plus a 12AX7 preamp part and EL34 energy amp. Nonetheless, whereas the unique construct was a 100-watt unit, the brand new flagship unit halves that right into a 50-watt design, which might change right down to 25 watts for decrease quantity functions.
Then there’s a serial results loop and the choice of matching cupboards (each 2×12 and 4×12), which function ‘voidless’ Baltic birch enclosures. The Omega might be obtainable in a restricted run hand-wired model for $3,495, or in the usual manufacturing model for $2,495.
Nonetheless, it’s not only a case of tweaking the previous amp. Alongside the Omega, Lifeson and MojoTone have additionally debuted the Chi. This can be a smaller head/combo possibility that’s designed to channel the Omega character right into a extra sensible construct.
Once more, it makes use of 3x 12AX7 tubes within the preamp part, however favors a pair of 6L6 energy tubes. It’s a 30-watt design, however once more it comes two channels (footswitchable), a shared three-band EQ and a serial results loop.
Inside, the development makes use of a PCB, however it’s hand-loaded and parts embody carbon comp resistors, Heyboer transformers and Mojotone’s personal Dijon coupling capacitors, plus it’s all {custom} inbuilt Burgaw, NC, USA.
A particular point out additionally has to go to that nifty illuminating Starman brand energy indicator mild on every of the amps.
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“The LERXST CHI is an superior monster in its personal proper and one of many sweetest sounding amps I’ve ever heard,” feedback Lifeson.
Anticipate finding the CHI for $1,995 (as a 1×12 combo) or $1,695 for the top model.
There is no such thing as a phrase but on the precise spec or costs of the cabs/audio system concerned within the vary, however we anticipate that can comply with very quickly.
“There was an explosion of guitar music throughout the previous 5 years that has been unimaginable to witness in its range of sounds and gamers,” says Lifeson, in his announcement.
“LERXST amplifiers present a platform for these gamers that gives the facility and high quality of tone of one of the best amplifiers of the previous, whereas additionally offering key options like energy scaling and high-quality results loops that mirror the wants of gamers as we speak.”
One attention-grabbing footnote within the press launch for the brand new vary is that it describes LERXST as an outlet for the Rush man’s “need to design and manufacture a line of guitar merchandise that mirror Lifeson’s forward-thinking strategy to sonic exploration and dwell efficiency” and, specifically, describes the model as providing “a spread of amplifiers, guitars, results pedals, and pickups”.
All of which means that these two heads are just the start of the LERXST line and there’s much more to come back.
It additionally raises the query of what the long run implications of a guitar line could be on Lifeson’s present signature merchandise, such because the current Epiphone Les Paul Axcess Customized – to not point out what sort of music we would hear recorded on the brand new gear.
For extra info on the complete vary, head to LERXST.
