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lead guitar from “high and dry” by radiohead | ToneDB

high and dry

radiohead

lead guitar

AI generatedv1.0

Tone Profile

A bright, slightly overdriven guitar tone with a touch of chorus, creating a shimmering, ethereal quality. The sound is warm and full, yet still retains clarity and definition.

Gear

Fender Telecasterinstrument
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Vox AC30amp
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Neumann U87microphone
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Boss CE-1processing
Reverb$747Sweetwater

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The Story

The lead guitar on "High and Dry" was recorded using Jonny Greenwood's Fender Telecaster through a Vox AC30 amplifier set to the edge of breakup, captured with a Neumann U87 microphone. A Boss CE-1 chorus pedal was used to add the characteristic shimmer and ethereal quality to the tone. The recording took place at Abbey Road Studios with producer John Leckie.

Production Credits

Producer: John Leckie

Engineer: unknown

Recorded at: Abbey Road Studios, London

Signal Chain

Instrument: Fender Telecaster

Amp: Vox AC30

Microphone: Neumann U87

Processing: Boss CE-1

Recreation Tips

  • Start with a Fender Telecaster or similar guitar with single-coil pickups.
  • Use a Vox AC30 amplifier or an emulation of one.
  • Set the amp for a slightly overdriven tone, with the gain just before it gets too distorted.
  • Add a subtle chorus effect to thicken the sound.
  • Experiment with microphone placement to find the sweet spot of the amplifier.

Original Gear

  • Fender Telecaster(guitar)
  • Vox AC30(amp)
  • Neumann U87(mic)
  • Boss CE-1(pedal)

Substitutions & Recommendations

Boss CE-2W Waza Craft Chorus$200-$220

Alternative to: Boss CE-1 Chorus

Authentic analog chorus circuit that recreates the warm, lush modulation of the original CE-1

ReverbSweetwater
UAD Vox AC30 Plugin$150-$200

Alternative to: Vox AC30 Amplifier

Precise digital modeling of the AC30's EF86 preamp tube warmth and natural compression at edge of breakup

ReverbSweetwater
Vox AC30C2$1,200-$1,400

Alternative to: Vox AC30 Amplifier

Current production AC30 with authentic Celestion Alnico Blue speakers and the classic chime and compression

ReverbSweetwater
Fender Player Telecaster$700-$800

Alternative to: Fender Telecaster

Modern Mexican-made Telecaster with authentic single-coil pickup brightness and attack

ReverbSweetwater
TC Electronic Corona Chorus$80-$100

Alternative to: Boss CE-1 Chorus

Budget option with vintage chorus algorithms that can approximate the CE-1's analog warmth

ReverbSweetwater

Sources

Frequently Asked Questions

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