lead guitar from “creep” by radiohead | ToneDB
creep
radiohead
lead guitar
Tone Profile
The lead guitar in 'Creep' features a distorted, grunge-inspired sound with a fuzzy and slightly compressed character. It’s a raw, powerful tone that complements the song's angsty and emotional vibe.
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Production Credits
Producer: Sean Slade, Paul Q. Kolderie
Engineer: Chris Hufford
Recorded at: Courtyard Studios, Abingdon, Oxfordshire
Signal Chain
Instrument: Fender TelecasterShop on Reverb
Microphone: Neumann U87Shop on Reverb
Processing: Pro Co RATShop on Reverb, Dallas Arbiter Fuzz FaceShop on Reverb
Recording Notes
- The lead guitar sound was achieved by running a Fender Telecaster through a Pro Co RAT distortion pedal into a Vox AC30 amplifier.
- The amp was likely mic'd with a Neumann U87 placed a few feet away to capture the amp's full tone.
- The Dallas Arbiter Fuzz Face adds an extra layer of fuzz and sustain to the lead guitar sound.
Recreation Tips
- Start with a Fender Telecaster or similar guitar with single-coil pickups.
- Use a Pro Co RAT distortion pedal as your primary distortion source, setting the gain to taste for a thick, fuzzy sound.
- Add a Dallas Arbiter Fuzz Face after the RAT for extra fuzz, sustain and saturation.
- Dial in the Vox AC30 for a warm, slightly overdriven tone. Experiment with the amp's EQ settings to fine-tune the sound.
- Use a Neumann U87 or similar condenser microphone to capture the amp's tone.
- Experiment with microphone placement to find the sweet spot that captures the amp's full character.
- Consider using a compressor plugin in your DAW to add extra sustain and punch to the guitar sound.
Original Gear
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Substitutions & Recommendations
Alternative to: Pro Co RAT distortion pedal
Current production version of the original RAT provides the same aggressive distortion character essential to Creep's lead tone
Alternative to: Dallas Arbiter Fuzz Face
Modern take on the classic Fuzz Face circuit that adds the fuzzy saturation and sustain heard in the original recording
Alternative to: Vox AC30 amplifier
Current production AC30 delivers the same warm, chimey overdriven tone foundation as the original
Alternative to: Fender Telecaster guitar
Budget option that provides the bright single-coil pickup character needed to cut through the heavy distortion
Alternative to: Vox AC30 amplifier
While not the exact amp, provides tube-driven overdrive character suitable for achieving similar grunge-style tones in the box
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