Alex Lifeson's LERXST By-Tor Drive pedal available from Reverb
December 6, 2023 · 2 sources
The LERXST By-Tor, Alex Lifeson's first signature pedal, was available from Reverb as of December 6, 2023, MusicRadar reported1. Guitar World described it as a Reverb-exclusive2. The pedal was made with Mojotone, the collaborators with Lifeson on his signature gear1.
The By-Tor is a two-in-one drive and boost pedal designed to capture the sound of the 50-watt LERXST Omega head without its tube circuitry12. Mojotone founder Michael McWhorter described it as "a British-voiced amp in a box pedal designed to capture the sound of the 50-watt Lerxst Omega in pedal form"1. Guitar World reported that the Omega is based on a Marshall Silver Jubilee-style build and that the By-Tor has the same tonal touchstones2. The pedal is named after the Rush song By-Tor and the Snow Dog12.
The two publications give the controls differently. MusicRadar lists Drive, Tone and Level, with the order of the Boost and Drive sides switchable with a mini toggle, a setup it compares to the Keeley D&M Drive but with shared knobs1. Guitar World lists Tone, Gain and Level for the Drive side and a Level control for the Boost side, with a Boost First / Drive First toggle; it reports that Boost First creates more saturation, while Drive First lets the Boost side kick in to gain up solo sections2. Both say the two sides can be used independently or together12.
The By-Tor is priced at $2952. Guitar World reported that the original Omega head retails for $2,495 and that the pedal is made in the USA2. MusicRadar reported that the pedal follows the Omega's return as a 50-watt head, after a limited 2012 Mojotone and Lifeson collaboration for Rush's Clockwork Angels recording and touring cycle, and that it is joined by the 30-watt Chi combo and head option with matching cabs1.
"The By-Tor pedal sounds awesome and looks really scary," says Lifeson. "If you like awesome, scary stuff you need one of these. Or two!"