Jonny Greenwood’s Pedalboard and Gear – Radiohead

Updated: September 27, 2013

If there’s one band whose sound is found in the guitar effects they use, it’s definitely Radiohead.  And who’s rig would be better to look at to find out how to get that Radiohead sound than Johnny Greenwood? This list will help you find the components you need to build your own “Radiohead Pedalboard”, by offering glimpses into what makes a Jonny Greenwood Pedalboard and, if the pedal is discontinued, other alternatives to get a similar sound.

Johnny actually uses 2 pedalboards (placed at an angle like an ergonomic keyboard). Still, don’t let the placement of the pedals fool you: they’re set that way for access, not according to signal order. Below you will find what is probably the Jonny Greenwood pedalboard signal order, which includes a line selector that goes to two different set of effects with their own amp.

You’ll notice a lot of Boss line selectors, too. This is because he has at least two signal paths going; starting from a board with a set of effects that goes out to two other sets of effects with their own amps. One amp is cleaner than the other, which makes the LS2 a bit of distortion selector, though that subsequent set of effects has its own volume pedal to control the amount the distortion as well.

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CURRENT: Jonny Greenwood’s Radiohead Pedalboard 2012

2012 – First Board
Selects first between Kaoss Pad or Laptop, then through the effects here and then to either of two other boards with their own amps.

BossBossElectro-HarmonixElectro-HarmonixDemeterDODDigiTechBoss
LS-2 Line Selector/Power SupplyLS-2 Line Selector/Power SupplyFreeze Sound Retainer CompressionSmall Stone Phase ShifterTremulator440 Envelope FilterWhammy PedalLS-2 Line Selector/Power Supply
OtherOtherDynamicsModulationModulationOtherPitch/FrequencyOther
Line Selection to Laptop and Kaoss PadSelects Between Next 2 Boards and Amps
Available NewAvailable NewAvailable NewElectro-Harmonix Nano Small Stone Phase ShifterDiscontinuedDiscontinuedAvailable NewAvailable New
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2012 – Board A – Distortion
BrandMarshallErnie BallFenderKorg
PedalShredMasterVP Jr. Passive Volume PedalEighty FiveKP3 KAOSS Pad Dynamic Effect/Sampler
TypeDistortionDynamicsAmpOther
NotesLine Selection to Laptop and Kaoss PadAccess from first LS2
Alternative?DiscontinuedAvailable NewDiscontinuedAvailable New
ImageErnie Ball Vp Jr. Passive Volume PedalKorg KP3 KAOSS Pad Dynamic Effect/Sampler
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2012 – Board B – Time Effects
BrandBossBossBossBossAkaiVox
PedalOD-3 OverdriveRE-20 Space EchoRV-3 Digital ReverbFV-300H Volume PedalProfessional E2 Headrush Delay/LooperAC30
TypeDistortionTime-BasedTime-BasedDynamicsTime-BasedAmp
NotesLine Selection to Laptop and Kaoss PadFV300L at one point
Alternative?Available NewAvailable NewBoss RV-5 Digital ReverbBoss FV-500H Volume PedalAvailable NewAC30VR
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Jonny Greenwood’s 1993 Pedalboard – Radiohead

BrandElectro-HarmonixBossMarshallBossFenderFender
PedalSmall Stone Phase ShifterLS-2 Line Selector/Power SupplyShredMasterFV-100 Volume PedalEighty Five65 Twin Reverb
TypeModulationOtherDistortionDynamicsAmpAmp
NotesSelects A or BLine A (Clone of Shredmaster)Line ALine ALine B
Alternative?Electro-Harmonix Nano Small Stone Phase ShifterAvailable NewDiscontinuedBoss FV-500H Volume PedalDiscontinuedAvailable New
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Jonny Greenwood’s 1994-1995 Pedalboard – Radiohead

BrandDemeterDigiTechElectro-HarmonixBossMarshallBossFenderFender
PedalTremulatorWhammy PedalSmall Stone Phase ShifterLS-2 Line Selector/Power SupplyShredMasterFV-100 Volume PedalEighty Five65 Twin Reverb
TypeModulationPitch/FrequencyModulationOtherDistortionDynamicsAmpAmp
NotesBoardBoard (Selects A or B)A - Board (Moved from clone to actual Shredmaster)A - BoardAB
Alternative?DiscontinuedAvailable NewElectro-Harmonix Nano Small Stone Phase ShifterAvailable NewDiscontinuedBoss FV-500H Volume PedalDiscontinuedAvailable New
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Jonny Greenwood’s 1996 Pedalboard – Radiohead

BrandElectro-HarmonixDemeterDODDigiTechBoss
PedalSmall Stone Phase ShifterTremulator440 Envelope FilterWhammy PedalLS-2 Line Selector/Power Supply
TypeModulationModulationOtherPitch/FrequencyOther
Notes
Alternative?Electro-Harmonix Nano Small Stone Phase ShifterDiscontinuedDiscontinuedAvailable NewAvailable New
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BrandMarshallBossFenderBossRolandFender
PedalShredMasterFV-300H Volume PedalEighty FiveSD-1 SUPER OverDriveSpace Echo RE-20165 Twin Reverb
TypeDistortionDynamicsAmpDistortionTime-BasedAmp
NotesLine ALine ALine ALine BLine BLine B
Alternative?DiscontinuedBoss FV-500H Volume PedalDiscontinuedAvailable NewBoss RE-20 Space EchoAvailable New
ImageBoss RE-20 Space Echo Delay / Reverb Pedal
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Jonny Greenwood’s 1997-1998 OK Computer Pedalboard

BrandElectro-HarmonixDemeterDODDigiTechBoss
PedalSmall Stone Phase ShifterTremulator440 Envelope FilterWhammy PedalLS-2 Line Selector/Power Supply
TypeModulationModulationOtherPitch/FrequencyOther
Notes
Alternative?Electro-Harmonix Nano Small Stone Phase ShifterDiscontinuedDiscontinuedAvailable NewAvailable New
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BrandBossBossRolandVoxMarshallBossFender
PedalSD-1 SUPER OverDriveRV-3 Digital ReverbSpace Echo RE-201AC30ShredMasterFV-300H Volume PedalEighty Five
TypeDistortionTime-BasedTime-BasedAmpDistortionDynamicsAmp
NotesLine ALine ALine ALine ALine BLine BLine B
Alternative?Available NewBoss RV-5 Digital ReverbBoss RE-20 Space EchoAC30VRDiscontinuedBoss FV-500H Volume PedalDiscontinued
ImageBoss RE-20 Space Echo Delay / Reverb Pedal
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Jonny Greenwood’s 2000 SNL Pedalboard

BrandElectro-HarmonixDemeterDODDigiTechBossBoss
PedalRadioSmall Stone Phase ShifterTremulator440 Envelope FilterWhammy PedalSD-1 SUPER OverDriveRV-3 Digital Reverb
TypeModulationModulationOtherPitch/FrequencyDistortionTime-Based
Notes
Alternative?Electro-Harmonix Nano Small Stone Phase ShifterDiscontinuedDiscontinuedAvailable NewAvailable NewBoss RV-5 Digital Reverb
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Jonny Greenwood’s 2006 In Rainbows Pedalboard

BrandElectro-HarmonixDemeterDODElectro-HarmonixDigiTechBoss
PedalSmall Stone Phase ShifterTremulator440 Envelope FilterStereo PolychorusWhammy PedalLS-2 Line Selector/Power Supply
TypeModulationModulationOtherModulationPitch/FrequencyOther
Notes
Alternative?Electro-Harmonix Nano Small Stone Phase ShifterDiscontinuedDiscontinuedXO VersionAvailable NewAvailable New
ImageElectro-Harmonix XO Stereo Polychorus Analog Flanger and Chorus Guitar Effects Pedal
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Line A

BrandBossBossAkaiRolandVox
PedalSD-1 SUPER OverDriveRV-3 Digital ReverbProfessional E2 Headrush Delay/LooperSpace Echo RE-201AC30
TypeDistortionTime-BasedTime-BasedTime-BasedAmp
Notes
Alternative?Available NewBoss RV-5 Digital ReverbAvailable NewBoss RE-20 Space EchoAC30VR
ImageBoss RE-20 Space Echo Delay / Reverb Pedal
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Line B

BrandMarshallBossFenderBoss
PedalShredMasterFV-300H Volume PedalEighty FiveTU-12H Chromatic Tuner
TypeDistortionDynamicsAmpTuner
NotesFV500L for tour
Alternative?DiscontinuedBoss FV-500H Volume PedalDiscontinuedTU-12EX Chromatic Tuner
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Jonny Greenwood’s 2007 Grammys Pedalboard

BrandAkaiDemeterBossRolandRoland
PedalProfessional E2 Headrush Delay/LooperTremulatorTU-2 Pedal TunerSpace Echo RE-201Space Echo RE-201
TypeTime-BasedModulationTunerTime-BasedTime-Based
NotesFV500L for tour
Alternative?Available NewDiscontinuedBoss TU-3 Chromatic Pedal TunerBoss RE-20 Space EchoBoss RE-20 Space Echo
ImageBoss RE-20 Space Echo Delay / Reverb PedalBoss RE-20 Space Echo Delay / Reverb Pedal
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Jonny Greenwood’s 2010 In Rainbows Pedalboard

BrandBossElectro-HarmonixDemeterBossDODDigiTechBossVoodoo Lab
PedalLS-2 Line Selector/Power SupplySmall Stone Phase ShifterTremulatorLS-2 Line Selector/Power Supply440 Envelope FilterWhammy PedalLS-2 Line Selector/Power SupplyPedal Power 2+ Power Supply
TypeOtherModulationModulationOtherOtherPitch/FrequencyOtherOther
NotesTo DOD440
Alternative?Available NewElectro-Harmonix Nano Small Stone Phase ShifterDiscontinuedAvailable NewDiscontinuedAvailable NewAvailable NewAvailable New
ImageVoodoo Lab Pedal Power 2+ Power Supply
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BrandMarshallErnie BallFenderBossBossAkaiVoxVoodoo Lab
PedalShredMasterVP Jr. Passive Volume PedalEighty FiveOD-3 OverdriveRE-20 Space EchoProfessional E2 Headrush Delay/LooperAC30Pedal Power 2+ Power Supply
TypeDistortionDynamicsAmpDistortionTime-BasedTime-BasedAmpOther
NotesLine ALine ALine ALIne BLIne BLIne BLIne B
Alternative?DiscontinuedAvailable NewDiscontinuedAvailable NewAvailable NewAvailable NewAC30VRAvailable New
ImageVoodoo Lab Pedal Power 2+ Power Supply
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Jonny Greenwood Pedal Overview

  • Boss SD-1: Growing up and learning guitar in the 90′s, I remember the yellow Boss overdrive pedals as being essential for Grunge/Alternative musicians. Johnny Greenwood uses the SD-1 Super Overdrive as one of his distortion effects.
  • Boss RV-3: Reverb/Delay is an essential part of the Johnny Greenwood Pedalboardsound. Unfortunately, the Boss RV-3 is no longer in production. However, Boss does make an update RV-5, for a similar sound (purists can attempt to find one on eBay!).
  • Boss FV-300H: This pedal is used to control the gain on the Marshall Shredmaster pedal. Therefore, it does not completely cut the volume when all the way down.  As it goes with many Boss pedals, older models have been discontinued, with new models replacing them. Boss now manufactures the FV-500s, which will provide essentially the same sound.
  • DOD 440 Envelope Filter: Very much part of Radiohead’s distinct sounds, this pedal can be heard on the unique outro to “Paranoid Android”. A must for any attempt at Radiohead pedalboard.
  • Digitech Whammy: This sound can be found on “The Bends” and “Airbag”, and is an essential part of any Radiohead pedalboard component.

For pedal settings, check out this great page over at King of Gear.

Radiohead Pedalboard Ressources

See Other Famous Pedalboards

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