How to Dial In "Down Is the New Up" by Radiohead - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Down Is the New Up"
Suggested rig · the original isn't documented.
Knob Positions, Pickup, and Tuning
Where to set the knobs for this tone. Each value is on the standard 0–10 amp scale.
On your amp, these numbers won't sound the same.
Get the settings for my ampHow the artist had their guitar configured for this take.
From In Rainbows (2007). In Rainbows is the seventh studio album by the English rock band Radiohead. Wikipedia's article on the album says the band used several guitars borrowed from Johnny Marr, including a 1957 Gibson Les Paul Gold Top and a 1964 Gibson SG, but no source we found ties one to this song or documents the amp, so a Fender Telecaster Plus through a Vox AC30HW2X Hand-Wired, the rig we use for Radiohead's other songs from In Rainbows, stands in. Keep the amp clean, just at the edge of breakup, and use the neck pickup. Standard tuning.
Common Questions About the "Down Is the New Up" Tone
What guitar did Radiohead use on "Down Is the New Up"?
The guitar on "Down Is the New Up" (released 2007) isn't documented; the Fender Telecaster Plus above gets the sound. Pickup selector: neck pickup on the guitar. Tuned to standard (E A D G B E).
What amp settings does "Down Is the New Up" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 2.5, Bass 5, Mid 6, Treble 6.5, Presence 6, Volume 6. Each value is on the standard 0–10 amp scale; match them on your amp first, then nudge to taste. ToneMirror can translate these positions for whatever amp you actually own.
Can I play "Down Is the New Up" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Down Is the New Up" tone on a Katana, a Helix, a tube combo, or anything else. The translation accounts for EQ curve, gain structure, and pickup type so the result actually sounds like the record, not just the same knob numbers on different gear.
More Tones You Can Dial In
Tone references for "Down Is the New Up" by Radiohead are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.