The Bends — Radiohead1 / 2
Original RigYour Adaptation
GuitarDistortedRiff

The Bends Riff Guitar Tone Settings — Radiohead

Radiohead · 1990s · rock

studio

Original Recording

Guitar
Fender Telecaster Plus V1
Pickups
Lace Sensor Red (bridge), Lace Sensor Blue (neck)
Amp
Fender Eighty-Five solid state combo
Pickup Position
Bridge pickup (Lace Sensor Red humbucker)

Studio recording, 1994-1995. Jonny Greenwood used the Telecaster Plus V1 with the bridge humbucker for the main riff. Amp is the Fender Eighty-Five, as cited for The Bends-era distorted tones. No evidence of live/touring substitutions for the studio recording.

Amp Settings

Mids
6.5
Bass
6
Gain
6.5
Reverb
2.5
Treble
6.5
Presence
5.5

Effects Chain

  • Pro Co Turbo RAT · distortion

Fender Telecaster Plus V1 (bridge pickup) → Pro Co Turbo RAT → Fender Eighty-Five (with spring reverb)

Tone Matcher

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Tone Character

  • aggressive and punchy
  • bright but not harsh
  • articulate with clear note separation
  • tight, percussive attack
  • dynamic response to picking
  • slightly compressed
  • focused midrange
  • present upper mids
  • crunchy distortion with clarity
  • cutting, energetic rhythm sound

Sources