What guitar did Jonny Greenwood use on Fake Plastic Trees?

Jonny Greenwood used a Fender Telecaster for the rhythm guitar parts on "Fake Plastic Trees." He likely used the neck pickup position to achieve the warmer, more mellow tone heard on the recording.

How to get Radiohead's Fake Plastic Trees guitar tone?

The key elements are a Fender Telecaster through a clean Vox AC30 amp setting with subtle Boss CE-1 chorus. Keep the amp clean with moderate reverb, use the Telecaster's neck pickup, and apply light chorus for the characteristic shimmer.

What chorus pedal did Radiohead use on Fake Plastic Trees?

Radiohead used a Boss CE-1 Chorus Ensemble for the shimmering effect on "Fake Plastic Trees." The CE-1 was used subtly to add depth and movement without overwhelming the clean guitar sound.

What amp did Jonny Greenwood use on Fake Plastic Trees?

Jonny Greenwood used a Vox AC30 amplifier for "Fake Plastic Trees." The AC30's clean channel provides the characteristic chime and headroom that defines the spacious, ethereal quality of the rhythm guitar tone.

Where was Fake Plastic Trees recorded?

"Fake Plastic Trees" was recorded at Abbey Road Studios in London with Nigel Godrich producing and engineering. The guitar was captured using a Neumann U87 microphone with possible DI blending for added clarity.

rhythm guitar from "fake plastic trees" by radiohead

fake plastic trees

radiohead

rhythm guitar

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Tone Profile

The rhythm guitar tone is clean and slightly chorused, providing a shimmering, ethereal backdrop. It blends seamlessly with the other instruments, creating a spacious and melancholic atmosphere.

Shop This Rig

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Fender Telecaster(instrument)
Vox AC30(amp)
Neumann U87(microphone)
Boss CE-1(processing)

The Story

Jonny Greenwood's rhythm guitar part on "Fake Plastic Trees" was recorded using a Fender Telecaster through a Vox AC30 amplifier with a Boss CE-1 chorus pedal. The recording was done at Abbey Road Studios with Nigel Godrich producing, using a Neumann U87 microphone to capture the amp. The subtle chorus effect from the CE-1 adds the characteristic shimmer that defines this melancholic clean tone.

Production Credits

Producer: Nigel Godrich

Engineer: Nigel Godrich

Recorded at: Abbey Road Studios, London

Signal Chain

Instrument: Fender TelecasterShop on Reverb

Amp: Vox AC30Shop on Reverb

Microphone: Neumann U87Shop on Reverb

Processing: Boss CE-1Shop on Reverb

Recreation Tips

Start with a clean amp setting on a Vox AC30 or similar amplifier.
Use a Fender Telecaster with the neck pickup selected for a warmer tone.
Apply a light chorus effect using a Boss CE-1 or a comparable chorus pedal.
Experiment with microphone placement to find the sweet spot for capturing the amp's tone.
Consider blending a DI signal for added clarity and definition.

Original Gear

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Substitutions & Recommendations

Boss CE-2W Waza Craft ChorusShop on Reverb$150-$180

Alternative to: Boss CE-1 Chorus Ensemble

Recreates the warm, subtle chorus character of the CE-1 with vintage-accurate circuitry, essential for the shimmering quality of this tone

Vox AC30C2Shop on Reverb$1200-$1400

Alternative to: Vox AC30 amplifier

Current production AC30 that maintains the classic chime and clean headroom needed for this ethereal rhythm tone

Fender Player TelecasterShop on Reverb$800-$900

Alternative to: Fender Telecaster

Affordable Telecaster with authentic pickup voicing and neck feel for the clear, cutting rhythm tone

Strymon Ola dBucket ChorusShop on Reverb$279-$300

Alternative to: Boss CE-1 Chorus Ensemble

Premium chorus pedal that accurately recreates vintage bucket brigade chorus circuits like the CE-1 for the authentic shimmer

Universal Audio Vox AC30 pluginPlugin Boutique$149-$200