rhythm guitar from “creep” by radiohead | ToneDB
creep
radiohead
rhythm guitar
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
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
- Fender Telecaster(guitar)
- Vox AC30(amp)
- Neumann U87(mic)
- Roland Dimension D(pedal)
Substitutions & Recommendations
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
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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