What guitar did Jonny Greenwood use on High and Dry?

Jonny Greenwood used a Fender Telecaster on "High and Dry." The Telecaster's bright single-coil pickups are key to achieving the song's characteristic clear, cutting tone.

How to get Radiohead High and Dry guitar tone?

Use a Telecaster into a Vox AC30 set to edge-of-breakup overdrive, then add subtle chorus with a Boss CE-1 or similar analog chorus pedal. The key is balancing the natural AC30 compression with the chorus shimmer.

What amp did Radiohead use on High and Dry?

A Vox AC30 amplifier was used for the guitar tone on "High and Dry." The amp was set to provide natural overdrive and compression just at the edge of breakup.

What chorus pedal sounds like High and Dry?

The original recording used a Boss CE-1 chorus pedal. For modern alternatives, the Boss CE-2W Waza Craft or TC Electronic Corona can achieve similar lush, analog chorus tones.

Where was Radiohead High and Dry recorded?

"High and Dry" was recorded at Abbey Road Studios in London with producer John Leckie. The studio's acoustics contributed to the natural ambience heard on the guitar track.

lead guitar from "high and dry" by radiohead

high and dry

radiohead

lead guitar

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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.

Shop This Rig

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

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 TelecasterShop on Reverb

Amp: Vox AC30Shop on Reverb

Microphone: Neumann U87Shop on Reverb

Processing: Boss CE-1Shop on Reverb

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

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Substitutions & Recommendations

Boss CE-2W Waza Craft ChorusShop on Reverb$200-$220

Alternative to: Boss CE-1 Chorus

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

UAD Vox AC30 PluginPlugin Boutique$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

Vox AC30C2Shop on Reverb$1,200-$1,400

Alternative to: Vox AC30 Amplifier

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

Fender Player TelecasterShop on Reverb$700-$800

Alternative to: Fender Telecaster

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

TC Electronic Corona ChorusShop on Reverb$80-$100