Riff Tone

Paranoid Android

Radiohead

Guitarrock1990s

Original Gear

GuitarFender Telecaster Plus (sunburst, 1996-97 replacement for stolen original)

AmpVox AC30 (tube amp, 1990s reissue or vintage, used in studio and live for clean tones)

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

Amp Settings

gain0

bass6

mid7

treble6.5

reverb2

presence5

Effects & Signal Chain

phaserElectro-Harmonix Electro-Harmonix Small Stone Phaser

Notes

Studio recording, 1996-1997 OK Computer sessions. Clean riff section. Greenwood's Telecaster Plus with Lace Sensor pickups into a Vox AC30. Effects chain includes Electro-Harmonix Small Stone Phaser. No evidence of distortion or overdrive for clean section. Signal split with Boss LS-2 in live rig, but for studio clean tone, likely direct to AC30 with modulation pedal. No evidence of amp reverb or delay for clean part.

Tone Character(10)

crisp and glassymodulated shimmerarticulate and dynamicslightly scooped midsdistinct modulation swirlclear note separationtight, percussive attackpresent but not harsh highssubtle room ambienceno audible overdrive

Difficulty

The clean riff requires tight, syncopated picking and dynamic control to maintain clarity with modulation. While not technically advanced, the timing and articulation demand intermediate skill.

Sources

Watch Radiohead’s stunning Paranoid Android BBC performance | MusicRadar Jonny Greenwood's Guitar Gear, Pedalboard & Amps | Equipboard Paranoid Androind Amplifier Settings - forum topic Radiohead - Paranoid Android : r/guitarpedals

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