But now instrument maker - and Rush fan - Jody Michael thinks he can help extend Lifeson's playing career with one of his specially-built guitars, which he claims can overcome some of the problems experienced by musicians with conditions such as arthritis and carpal tunnel syndrome.

His firm, Artisan Bass Works (ABW), uses patented ANSIR technology in its products. Put simply, it's an angled neck design which takes away much of the strain caused by having to keep the guitar in a playing position and makes the fretboard easier to navigate.