# Iconic Stage-Ready Guitar Iterations Epiphone Debuts the Alex Lifeson 1976 ES-355 Reissue By Kalin Ned | Published 2026-07-02 | Pop Culture Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/alex-lifeson References: [long-mcquade](https://www.long-mcquade.com/509900/Guitars/Electric-Guitars/Epiphone/Alex-Lifeson-1976-ES-355-Reissue-Electric-Guitar-with-Hardshell-Case-Alpine-White.htm?srsltid=AfmBOopcXIuGpv4-XVhoS6LMot39Ka7mW3srviUsWs-FTeatja_QrQOw) Epiphone — the iconic instrument brand with over 150 years of crafting guitars for musicians at every stage — has unveiled the Alex Lifeson 1976 ES-355 Reissue as part of its Inspired by Gibson Custom series. This stage-ready recreation of the Rush legend's famous Alpine White ES-355 captures his unmistakable tone, refined feel, and innovative spirit. The Alex Lifeson 1976 ES-355 Reissue is a semi-hollow guitar that features a five-ply maple and poplar body with a solid maple center block to enhance sustain and reduce feedback. This construction is enhanced with a three-piece maple neck with a volute for added strength and a Slim C profile for fast playability, and an ebony fretboard with mother-of-pearl block inlays and 22 medium jumbo frets. The guitar is rounded off with premium appointments including gold hardware, a harmonica-style Tune-O-Matic bridge, a Maestro Vibrola for expressive pitch control, and a Gibson-style open-book headstock with die-cast tuners. Image Credit: Epiphone ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 8.1/10 - Popularity: 80% | Activity: 78% | Freshness: 84% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Pop Culture](https://www.trendhunter.com/popculture) > [Celebs](https://www.trendhunter.com/celebs) ## Key Themes ### What's Driving This Trend - **Artist-signature Reissues:** Limited recreations of iconic musician instruments create room for premium storytelling, collector demand, and accessible versions of historically rare stage gear. - **Stage-ready Heritage Gear:** Modernized vintage designs blend nostalgic aesthetics with performance-focused construction, opening space for products that serve both professional musicians and aspirational players. - **Accessible Custom Craftsmanship:** Lower-priced interpretations of custom-shop instruments suggest a growing market for prestige features, artist associations, and boutique details at broader consumer price points. ### Who This Affects Most - **Musical Instruments:** Instrument makers are positioned around hybrid value models where historical design accuracy, upgraded hardware, and artist credibility differentiate new product releases. - **Music Retail:** Specialty retailers benefit from high-interest drops that combine fandom, collectibility, and playable utility into merchandise suited for both online launches and showroom experiences. - **Live Entertainment:** Performance culture reinforces demand for durable, expressive, visually distinctive equipment that connects concert identity with consumer purchasing beyond the stage. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Crafted Acoustic Collections](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/inspired-by-gibson-acoustic.md) - [Contemporary Iconic Guitar Collections](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/inspired-by-gibson1.md) - [Unique Handcrafted Guitar Designs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/master-artisan-collection.md) - [Iconic Electric Guitar Collections](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/futura-series.md) - [Legendary Guitar Auctions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/regent-sounds.md) - [Reimagined Flat-Top Acoustic Guitars](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/flattop-acoustic-guitar.md) - [Limited-Run Electric Guitars](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/limitedrun-electric-guitar.md) - [Chinese Pop Star-Inspired Guitars](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/wowkie-da.md) - [Expanding Guitar Brands](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/2026-namm-show.md)