Riff Tone

Airbag

Radiohead

Guitarrock1990s

Original Gear

GuitarFender Telecaster Plus

AmpFender Eighty-Five solid state combo

PickupsLace Sensor single coils (Red in bridge, Blue in neck, Silver in middle)

Amp Settings

gain5.5

bass5.5

mid6

treble6.5

reverb3

presence5.5

Effects & Signal Chain

distortionUnknown Distortion pedal (model unknown)

Notes

Studio recording, 1996-1997 for OK Computer. Jonny Greenwood used the Telecaster Plus with the bridge pickup for the main riff. Amp confirmed as Fender Eighty-Five solid state, not tube. No evidence of live/tour gear or alternate guitars for the riff section.

Tone Character(10)

fuzzed-out and crunchyslightly scooped midsbright and bitingcompressed attackpercussive and tight rhythmthin but powerfulfizzy top endnot high-gain, more overdrivenarticulate pickingsubtle ambience from amp reverb

Difficulty

The riff requires accurate, syncopated picking and muting to achieve the tight, percussive feel, making it moderately challenging for intermediate players.

Sources

The Gear of Radiohead's "OK Computer" | Reverb News State of the Stomp: It Gets Weirder - Premier Guitar Radiohead - Airbag Live Tone - forum topic | Ultimate Guitar

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