Solo Tone

No Surprises

Radiohead

Guitarrock1990s

Original Gear

GuitarFender Telecaster (likely 1960s, as used by Ed O'Brien on OK Computer era studio recordings)

AmpVox AC30 (studio, 1996-1997 OK Computer sessions; Ed O'Brien and Jonny Greenwood both used AC30s extensively on this album)

PickupsSingle-coil (Fender Telecaster stock pickups)

Amp Settings

gain0

bass6

mid6.5

treble6.5

reverb5

presence5.5

Effects & Signal Chain

delayElectro-Harmonix Electro-Harmonix Deluxe Memory Man

tremoloBoss Boss TR-2 Tremolo

reverbElectro-Harmonix Electro-Harmonix Holy Grail Reverb

Notes

Studio recording, 1996-1997. Ed O'Brien played the solo on 'No Surprises' using a Telecaster through a Vox AC30. No evidence of live rig or alternate guitars for the studio solo. No pedalboard photos from the session, but Ed's known OK Computer-era board included Boss DD-5, EHX Deluxe Memory Man, Boss TR-2 Tremolo, and Holy Grail Reverb. No evidence of overdrive/distortion for this solo.

Tone Character(10)

chiming and bell-likelush and ambientclear and articulatesoft attackgentle sustainslightly compressedethereal and floatingsubtle modulation shimmerwarm neck pickup toneno audible distortion

Difficulty

The solo is technically straightforward but requires careful control of dynamics and timing to blend with the ambient effects and maintain clarity in a clean, reverberant mix.

Sources

Ed O'Brien: 'The guitar to me is like an oscillator on a synthesizer'Ed O'Brien | Equipboard Radiohead Effects and Pedals - Reddit Changes to their guitars from last time (night 1 observations) - Reddit

This tone has been researched 4 times by the community

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