Riff Tone

Polyethylene, Pts. 1 & 2 (Remastered)

Radiohead

Guitarrock1990s

Original Gear

GuitarFender Telecaster Plus (Red Lace Sensor bridge pickup)

AmpFender 85 solid-state combo

PickupsRed Lace Sensor (bridge position, humbucker-like single coil)

Amp Settings

gain6.5

bass6

mid7

treble7

reverb2.5

presence6

Effects & Signal Chain

distortionMarshall Marshall Shredmaster

Notes

Studio recording, 1996-1997 for OK Computer B-sides; Jonny Greenwood's main setup for this era. Settings inferred from era and typical use, as no direct Polyethylene studio documentation found. No evidence of live-specific gear for this recording.

Tone Character(10)

tight, saturated crunchaggressive attackarticulate, cutting upper midsslight compression from solid-state amppercussive, driving rhythmclear note separation despite distortionnot overly scooped or fizzymodest reverb for spacedistinct bridge pickup biteno excessive sustain or fuzziness

Difficulty

The riff requires tight rhythmic precision, palm muting, and dynamic control to keep the crunch articulate, but does not involve advanced lead techniques or complex chord shapes.

Sources

Airbag Guitar Tone : r/radiohead My iron lung break guitar tone : r/radiohead How to get Johnny's guitar tone without having to buy any other pedal? : r/radiohead

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