HeadRush MX5 settings
Paranoid Android settings for HeadRush MX5
Radiohead · adapted 2 times on ToneAdapt
To get the Radiohead "Paranoid Android" riff tone on a HeadRush MX5, use the 66 AC Hi Boost amp model on the crunch channel, then set Drive 7, Master 7, Bass 6, Mid 7, Treble 6, Presence 5. Use the bridge pickup with your guitar's tone on 7-8 and volume on 8-9.
Riff settings
Adapted for a Fender Telecaster · updated 2026-10-13
- Amp model
- 66 AC Hi Boost
- Channel
- Crunch
- Cab
- open back
- Pickup
- Bridge pickup
- Guitar knobs
- Tone 7-8 · Volume 8-9
Amp block
- Drive
- 7
- Master
- 7
- Bass
- 6
- Mid
- 7
- Treble
- 6
- Presence
- 5
Effects chain
- 1modulationOrange PhaserMix 5 · Rate 5 · Depth 5
- 2reverbSpringMix 4 · Decay 5
- 3overdriveGreen JRC-ODGain 5 · Tone 6 · Level 7
Playing tips
- Focus on a tight, percussive attack to maintain clarity in the riff.
- Use dynamic picking to enhance the crunchy, harmonically rich drive.
- Experiment with modulation effects to capture the swirling, phased sound.
The original rig
What Radiohead used on the recording, for reference. ToneAdapt translates this to the controls your HeadRush MX5 actually has.
- Guitar
- Fender Telecaster Plus
- Amp
- Vox AC30 (studio, likely with Marshall Shredmaster pedal for distortion)
- Gain
- 7
- Bass
- 6
- Mid
- 7
- Treble
- 7
- Presence
- 5.5
- Reverb
- 2
Different guitar or pedals? Get Paranoid Android adapted to your exact rig
These settings were generated for the gear named above. ToneAdapt adapts Radiohead's tone to your own guitar, pickups, amp and pedals in seconds.
Frequently asked questions
What amp model should I use on the HeadRush MX5 for Paranoid Android?
Use the 66 AC Hi Boost (crunch channel) with Drive 7, Master 7, Bass 6, Mid 7, Treble 6, Presence 5, followed by Orange Phaser, Spring, Green JRC-OD.
Which pickup should I use for Paranoid Android?
Bridge pickup, with the guitar's tone at 7-8 and volume at 8-9.
What gear did Radiohead use on Paranoid Android?
Guitar: Fender Telecaster Plus. Amp: Vox AC30 (studio, likely with Marshall Shredmaster pedal for distortion).
Will these settings work with my guitar?
These settings were adapted for a Fender Telecaster. Different pickups change how much gain and treble you need. ToneAdapt adapts the tone to your exact guitar, pickups, amp and pedals.
Paranoid Android on other amps
- Paranoid Android on Fender Mustang LT25 · 76
- Paranoid Android on Boss Katana · 57
- Paranoid Android on Fender Frontman 10G · 26
- Paranoid Android on Fender Champion 20 · 23
- Paranoid Android on Line 6 Helix Floor / LT / Rack · 19
- Paranoid Android on Fender Tone Master Pro · 15
- Paranoid Android on Marshall JCM800 · 12
- Paranoid Android on Fender Champion 100 · 11
Popular songs on the HeadRush MX5
- Sweet Child O' Mine · Guns N' Roses
- Master of Puppets · Metallica
- Enter Sandman · Metallica
- Walk · Pantera
- Welcome to the Jungle · Guns N' Roses
- Holy Wars · Megadeth
- Back in Black · AC/DC
- Raining Blood · Slayer
- Hotel California · Eagles
- Pride and Joy · Stevie Ray Vaughan
- Crazy Train · Ozzy Osbourne
- Do I Wanna Know? · Arctic Monkeys
Settings are generated by ToneAdapt's tone adaptation for the gear named on this page and are a starting point — every amp, guitar and room is a little different.