Tone Profile

An aggressive, biting lead tone defined by its iconic pitch-bending Whammy pedal glissandos and searing, slightly chaotic distortion.

Signal Chain

Recording Notes

• The core of the sound is the DigiTech Whammy WH-1 pedal, set to +1 Octave Up (harmony mode), with the treadle rocked rapidly.
• A Marshall Shredmaster pedal provides the characteristic high-gain, cutting distortion.
• Jonny Greenwood used a Fender Telecaster Plus, likely on the bridge pickup (Red Lace Sensor Dually).
• The amp used was often a solid-state Fender Eighty-Five, providing a consistent distorted tone platform for the pedals.
• The sound is quite direct, with minimal ambient effects, though some studio reverb might have been added in the mix.

Recreation Tips

• Use a bright-sounding guitar, preferably with a bridge humbucker or a hot single-coil.
• Place your distortion pedal (e.g., Shredmaster or similar high-gain Marshall-in-a-box) *before* the Whammy pedal.
• Set your Whammy pedal to the '+1 Octave Up' harmony setting (not a pitch bend/dive bomb mode).
• Practice the quick, smooth sweeping motion with the Whammy's expression pedal to achieve the glissando effect.
• Dial in a high-gain, somewhat trebly and aggressive distortion tone that cuts through.
• A solid-state amp or a very clean tube amp can work well as a pedal platform for this sound.

Recommended Gear

• Fender Telecaster Plus(guitar)
• DigiTech Whammy (WH-1, V, Ricochet, or DT)(pedal)
• Marshall Shredmaster(pedal)
• JHS PG-14(pedal)
• Fender Eighty-Five(amp)
• Shure SM57(mic)