TonesMatch
Let Down — Radiohead1 / 2
Original RigYour Adaptation
GuitarDistortedSolo80% confidence

Let Down Solo Guitar Tone Settings — Radiohead

Radiohead · 1990s · rock

studio

Original Recording

Guitar
Fender US Telecaster Plus V1
Pickups
Lace Sensor single coil (neck), Lace Sensor Red humbucker (bridge)
Amp
Fender Eighty Five
Pickup Position
Bridge pickup (Lace Sensor Red humbucker)

Studio recording, 1997 (OK Computer sessions). Guitar and amp choice inferred from Jonny Greenwood's documented studio rig for OK Computer era and multiple forum sources. No direct evidence of alternate guitar/amp for the solo section of 'Let Down'.

Amp Settings

Mids
7
Bass
6
Gain
4.5
Reverb
4
Treble
6.5
Presence
5.5

Effects Chain

  • Marshall Shredmaster · distortion
  • EHX Small Stone · phaser
  • Delay pedal (model unknown) · delay

Fender US Telecaster Plus V1 → Marshall Shredmaster → EHX Small Stone → Delay pedal (model unknown) → Fender Eighty Five (spring reverb on)

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Tone Character

  • chimey and glassy
  • crystalline, layered textures
  • slightly compressed attack
  • clear note separation
  • ambient, lush background
  • modulated, swirling overtones
  • subtle breakup, not fully clean
  • ethereal, floating sustain
  • dynamic picking response
  • no harsh clipping

Notes & Caveats

  • ⚠️No direct source specifies exact amp or pedal settings for 'Let Down' solo; settings estimated based on typical Fender Eighty Five/Telecaster usage and genre/era.
  • ⚠️Pedal models inferred from era-correct documented pedalboards and audible effects; no studio photos or interviews confirm exact pedal chain for this solo.
  • ⚠️Pickup choice inferred from typical Jonny Greenwood usage and the brighter, cutting tone of the solo.
  • ⚠️No evidence of effects loop usage or exact pedal order; signal chain is best estimate.
  • ⚠️If new evidence emerges (e.g., studio notes, isolated tracks), settings and pedal models should be updated.
  • ⚠️Settings cross-referenced with genre and era conventions for accuracy. The solo in 'Let Down' features a chimey, edge-of-breakup tone typical of Jonny Greenwood's late-90s Vox AC30 setup, with pronounced mids, moderate bass, and clear but not harsh treble. The gain is set just past clean for dynamic response, and studio reverb adds subtle ambience without washing out the part.

Sources