rhythm guitar from “creep” by radiohead | ToneDB

creep

radiohead

rhythm guitar

75% ai confidence

Tone Profile

A clean but slightly gritty rhythm guitar tone that provides a solid harmonic foundation without overpowering the lead elements, with a touch of chorus.

The Story

The rhythm guitar on "Creep" was recorded using Jonny Greenwood's Fender Telecaster through a Vox AC30 amplifier at Courtyard Studios. The track features the characteristic Roland Dimension D chorus effect that became a signature element of early Radiohead recordings. The amp was set to a clean tone that breaks up slightly when strummed hard, and the guitar was likely miked with a condenser microphone positioned away from the cabinet to capture some room ambience.

Production Credits

Producer: Sean Slade, Paul Q. Kolderie

Engineer: Bryce Goggin

Recorded at: Courtyard Studios, Abingdon, UK

Signal Chain

Instrument: Fender Telecaster

Amp: Vox AC30

Microphone: Neumann U87

Processing: Roland Dimension D

Recreation Tips

  • Start with a clean amp setting on the Vox AC30, just breaking up slightly when strumming hard.
  • Use the neck pickup on the Telecaster for a rounder tone.
  • Add a subtle chorus effect (Roland Dimension D) to thicken the sound.
  • Experiment with microphone placement to capture the amp's sweet spot.

Original Gear

Substitutions & Recommendations

Vox AC30C2X$1800-$2000

Alternative to: Vox AC30

Current production AC30 with the same chiming clean tones and natural breakup characteristics as the original

Alternative to: Roland Dimension D

Accurate recreation of the original Dimension D's subtle chorus modulation that thickened Radiohead's early guitar tones

Alternative to: Fender Telecaster

Provides the bright, cutting tone of a classic Telecaster neck pickup used for the rhythm parts

Alternative to: Neumann U87

Large diaphragm condenser that captures the full frequency response of the AC30 at distance

Alternative to: Complete signal chain

Includes high-quality Vox-style amp modeling and dimensional chorus effects for recording direct

Vox AC15C1$600-$700

Alternative to: Vox AC30

Same circuit topology as AC30 but more manageable volume for home recording while maintaining the essential tone character

Frequently Asked Questions

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