For avid fans and guitar enthusiasts alike, the gear choices of iconic musicians often spark curiosity. When it comes to Radiohead, a band renowned for their sonic innovation and meticulous soundscapes, every detail of their instrumentation is scrutinized. A question frequently asked by aspiring guitarists and curious onlookers is: what guitar straps do Thom Yorke, Colin Greenwood, Ed O’Brien, and particularly “Jonny Guitar” Greenwood, use?
While it might seem like a trivial detail, a guitarist’s strap is a crucial piece of equipment, impacting comfort, playability, and even stage presence. Instead of directly recommending specific brands used by Radiohead members, especially “jonny guitar”, it’s generally advisable to prioritize personal comfort when choosing a guitar strap. Trying out different straps in person is always preferable to ordering online, even if it’s the same model favored by your guitar hero. What works for “jonny guitar” might not be the ideal fit for you.
Over their extensive career, the members of Radiohead have utilized a wide array of guitar straps. Many of these have been quite generic and difficult to distinguish, suggesting a focus on functionality over flamboyant style. In the early days, Thom Yorke was seen using Fender straps, a common choice for many guitarists. However, he soon transitioned to more understated black straps, favoring a simple and practical aesthetic. It’s worth noting that all of Thom’s guitars, and indeed the guitars of his bandmates, are equipped with silver Schaller strap locks, indicating a shared commitment to security and preventing accidental drops during energetic performances.
image
Ed O’Brien’s strap preferences became somewhat clearer in 2012 when he started using BareKnuckle Pickups Guitar Straps. Known for their high-quality pickups, BareKnuckle also produces premium straps, and Ed’s adoption of these suggests a preference for quality leather straps. Like his bandmates, Ed ensures the security of his instruments by using silver Schaller strap locks on all his guitars.
Ed pictured with his Johnny Marr signature Jaguar, showcasing a BareKnuckle Pickups leather strap secured by Schaller strap locks:
image
When we turn our attention to Jonny Greenwood, often referred to as “jonny guitar” by fans due to his distinctive and experimental guitar work, his strap choices appear to be less brand-specific and more about what’s readily available and functional. Jonny has been frequently seen using a brown strap that bears a resemblance to models from brands like Levys and Dimarzio. Specifically, it looks similar to Levy’s soft hand poly straps and Dimarzio Cliplock straps. However, upon closer inspection, it’s evident that Jonny’s strap isn’t exactly either of these. The direction of the plastic buckle on his preferred brown strap is different from currently produced models by these brands. Interestingly, this particular brown strap has been in Jonny’s rotation for around 20 years, making it a vintage piece and quite challenging to find an exact match today.
image
Another strap frequently seen on Jonny Greenwood’s guitars is the Ernie Ball Black Polypro strap. This is Ernie Ball’s most basic and affordable strap, further reinforcing the idea that Jonny isn’t overly concerned with strap extravagance. His use of such a simple strap, alongside his more enigmatic brown strap, suggests a practical approach to gear, prioritizing function and reliability.
image
Observing Jonny Greenwood’s guitar stand further emphasizes this point. A collection of guitars, each equipped with silver Schaller strap locks, but seemingly less attention paid to the straps themselves. This visual evidence suggests that while strap security is a priority (hence the consistent use of Schaller strap locks across all guitars), the specific brand or model of the strap is of secondary importance to “jonny guitar”.
image
Finally, the appearance of an “ABC” labeled item in connection with Jonny’s gear remains somewhat of a mystery. Its significance in relation to his guitar setup or strap choices is unclear, adding another layer of intrigue to the gear choices of “jonny guitar” and Radiohead.
image
In conclusion, while we can identify some strap models used by Radiohead’s guitarists, particularly Ed O’Brien’s preference for BareKnuckle and Jonny Greenwood’s use of Ernie Ball Polypro straps and a vintage brown strap, the overarching message is that personal comfort and security are paramount. The consistent use of Schaller strap locks across all members highlights a shared focus on instrument safety. For guitarists seeking strap advice, especially those inspired by “jonny guitar”, the key takeaway is to experiment with different straps to find what feels best for you, while ensuring your guitar is securely fastened with reliable strap locks.
