lead guitar from “creep” by radiohead | ToneDB

creep

radiohead

lead guitar

AI generatedv1.0

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.

Gear

Fender Telecasterinstrument
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Vox AC30amp
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Neumann U87microphone
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Pro Co RATprocessing
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Dallas Arbiter Fuzz Faceprocessing
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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 Telecaster

Amp: Vox AC30

Microphone: Neumann U87

Processing: Pro Co RAT, Dallas Arbiter Fuzz Face

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

  • Fender Telecaster(guitar)
  • Vox AC30(amp)
  • Neumann U87(mic)
  • Pro Co RAT(pedal)
  • Dallas Arbiter Fuzz Face(pedal)

Substitutions & Recommendations

Pro Co RAT 2$70-$90

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

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Dunlop Fuzz Face Mini Silicon$80-$100

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

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Vox AC30C2$1200-$1500

Alternative to: Vox AC30 amplifier

Current production AC30 delivers the same warm, chimey overdriven tone foundation as the original

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Squier Classic Vibe '70s Telecaster$300-$400

Alternative to: Fender Telecaster guitar

Budget option that provides the bright single-coil pickup character needed to cut through the heavy distortion

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Universal Audio Marshall Plexi Super Lead 1959 plugin$150-$200

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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