What guitar did Alex Lifeson use on The Spirit of Radio?

Alex Lifeson used a Fender Stratocaster for the lead guitar parts on "The Spirit of Radio." The Stratocaster's single-coil pickups contributed to the bright, cutting tone heard on the track.

What amp did Rush use to record The Spirit of Radio?

The lead guitar on "The Spirit of Radio" was recorded through a Hiwatt DR103 amplifier. Hiwatt amps were known for their clean headroom and ability to maintain clarity even when pushed, which suited Lifeson's articulate playing style.

How to get Alex Lifeson's tone on The Spirit of Radio?

Start with a Stratocaster-style guitar through a high-headroom British amp like a Hiwatt, set relatively clean with just a touch of overdrive. Add an MXR Distortion+ pedal for extra grit and sustain when needed.

What effects pedal did Alex Lifeson use on The Spirit of Radio?

Alex Lifeson used an MXR Distortion+ pedal on "The Spirit of Radio" to add overdrive and sustain to his Hiwatt amplifier. This pedal provided the characteristic hard-clipped distortion that cuts through the mix.

Where was Rush The Spirit of Radio recorded?

"The Spirit of Radio" was recorded at Le Studio in Morin Heights, Quebec with producer and engineer Terry Brown. The studio was known for its excellent acoustics and was a favorite recording location for Rush during this era.

lead guitar from "the spirit of radio" by rush

the spirit of radio

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Tone Profile

This is a bright, harmonically rich guitar tone with a slight overdrive that allows the guitar's natural characteristics to shine. It's articulate and cutting, perfect for riffs and solos.

The Story

Alex Lifeson recorded the lead guitar parts for "The Spirit of Radio" using a Fender Stratocaster through a Hiwatt DR103 amplifier, with an MXR Distortion+ pedal providing additional overdrive. The track was recorded at Le Studio in Quebec with producer/engineer Terry Brown, using a combination of direct input and a Neumann U67 microphone to capture both the clarity and room ambience of the amplifier.

Production Credits

Producer: Terry Brown

Engineer: Terry Brown

Recorded at: Le Studio, Morin Heights, Quebec

Signal Chain

Instrument: Fender Stratocaster

Amp: Hiwatt DR103

Microphone: Neumann U67

Processing: MXR Distortion+

Recreation Tips

Start with a Fender Stratocaster-style guitar and a Hiwatt-style amp. Dial in a clean tone with just a touch of overdrive.
Add an MXR Distortion+ to taste to achieve the desired level of grit and sustain.
Use a Neumann U67 or similar microphone to capture the amp's tone accurately. Adjust the microphone placement to fine-tune the sound.
Blend the direct input signal with the mic'd amp signal to add clarity and punch to the overall tone.

Original Gear

Substitutions & Recommendations

Fender Player Stratocaster$800-$900

Alternative to: Fender Stratocaster

Modern Fender with the same single-coil pickup configuration and maple neck that delivers Lifeson's bright, cutting tone

Reeves Custom 100$2800-$3200

Alternative to: Hiwatt DR103

Hand-wired amp built to original Hiwatt specifications with the same clean headroom and harmonic richness

MXR M104 Distortion+$80-$100

Alternative to: MXR Distortion+

Current reissue of the exact same pedal Lifeson used, providing the signature hard-clipped overdrive character

Catalinbread Dirty Little Secret$180-$220

Alternative to: Hiwatt DR103

Pedal recreation of classic Marshall/Hiwatt amp tones that captures the harmonic complexity at bedroom volumes

Neural DSP Archetype Plini$100-$130

Alternative to: Complete signal chain

High-quality amp simulation with clean British-style amps and drive pedals suitable for recreating this articulate rock tone

Sources

Frequently Asked Questions

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lead guitar from “the spirit of radio” by rush | ToneDB