Riff Tone
Optimistic
Radiohead
Guitarrock2000s
Original Gear
GuitarFender Eric Clapton Stratocaster (with Lace Sensor pickups and Fernandes Sustainer installed)
AmpVox AC30 (likely, based on era and typical Radiohead studio use; no explicit source for studio amp on 'Optimistic')
PickupsLace Sensor Gold single coils (plus Fernandes Sustainer unit)
Amp Settings
gain5
bass6
mid7
treble6.5
reverb2
presence5.5
Effects & Signal Chain
flangerUnknown Flanger pedal (model unknown)
Notes
Studio recording, year 1999-2000 (Kid A sessions). Guitar World confirms Clapton Strat with Lace Sensors and Fernandes Sustainer was used for this era. No explicit amp model for 'Optimistic' studio session, but Vox AC30 is most probable based on band history and sound. No explicit pickup selector position found.
Tone Character(10)
tight and punchy rhythm guitarclear, articulate attackslightly compressed, focused midrangemodulated shimmer from flangeredge-of-breakup crunchdynamic, percussive pickingbright but not harsh top endfull-bodied chord voicingscontrolled sustainslight room ambience
Difficulty
The riff requires tight, percussive picking in Drop D, with dynamic control to maintain clarity through crunch and modulation. The syncopated rhythm and need for precise timing with the flanger effect add to the challenge.
Sources
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Original Gear
GuitarFender Eric Clapton Stratocaster (with Lace Sensor pickups and Fernandes Sustainer installed)
AmpVox AC30 (likely, based on era and typical Radiohead studio use; no explicit source for studio amp on 'Optimistic')
PickupsLace Sensor Gold single coils (plus Fernandes Sustainer unit)
Amp Settings
gain5
bass6
mid7
treble6.5
reverb2
presence5.5
Effects & Signal Chain
flangerUnknown Flanger pedal (model unknown)
Notes
Studio recording, year 1999-2000 (Kid A sessions). Guitar World confirms Clapton Strat with Lace Sensors and Fernandes Sustainer was used for this era. No explicit amp model for 'Optimistic' studio session, but Vox AC30 is most probable based on band history and sound. No explicit pickup selector position found.
Tone Character(10)
tight and punchy rhythm guitarclear, articulate attackslightly compressed, focused midrangemodulated shimmer from flangeredge-of-breakup crunchdynamic, percussive pickingbright but not harsh top endfull-bodied chord voicingscontrolled sustainslight room ambience
Difficulty
The riff requires tight, percussive picking in Drop D, with dynamic control to maintain clarity through crunch and modulation. The syncopated rhythm and need for precise timing with the flanger effect add to the challenge.
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