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Solo Tone
Freewill
Rush
Guitarrock1980s
Original Gear
GuitarGibson ES-355
AmpHiwatt DR103 head into Marshall 4x12 cabinet
Amp Settings
gain6.5
bass6
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Notes
Studio recording, 1979-1980 (Permanent Waves sessions). Lifeson is widely documented as using his ES-355 through a Hiwatt DR103 and Marshall cab for the Freewill solo. Effects are added via pedals, not amp. No evidence of live rig or alternate guitars for the studio solo.
Tone Character(10)
singing sustainliquid lead tonebright and articulaterich harmonic overtonescutting upper midsslightly compressed attackchorused shimmerflanged swirldynamic pick responsenot high-gain, but saturated
Difficulty
The Freewill solo is considered one of the most technically demanding in classic rock, requiring advanced speed, accuracy, and rhythmic control, with rapid-fire runs and complex phrasing.
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Create Free AccountGuitarrock1980s
Original Gear
GuitarGibson ES-355
AmpHiwatt DR103 head into Marshall 4x12 cabinet
Amp Settings
gain6.5
bass6
Create an account to see all tone details
Create Free AccountEffects & Signal Chain
Notes
Studio recording, 1979-1980 (Permanent Waves sessions). Lifeson is widely documented as using his ES-355 through a Hiwatt DR103 and Marshall cab for the Freewill solo. Effects are added via pedals, not amp. No evidence of live rig or alternate guitars for the studio solo.
Tone Character(10)
singing sustainliquid lead tonebright and articulaterich harmonic overtonescutting upper midsslightly compressed attackchorused shimmerflanged swirldynamic pick responsenot high-gain, but saturated
Difficulty
The Freewill solo is considered one of the most technically demanding in classic rock, requiring advanced speed, accuracy, and rhythmic control, with rapid-fire runs and complex phrasing.