What Guitar Does Thom Yorke Play? As a guitar enthusiast, you might be curious about the guitars favored by iconic musicians. At guitarplayers.net, we delve into the specifics of Thom Yorke’s guitar collection, examining the guitars that create his unique sound, providing you with a comprehensive guide to the guitars of Thom Yorke, and insight into his guitar playing.
Article Outline
- 1. What Inspires Thom Yorke’s Guitar Choices?
- 2. What Electric Guitars Does Thom Yorke Use?
- 3. What Acoustic Guitars Does Thom Yorke Play?
- 4. What Bass Guitars Does Thom Yorke Play?
- 5. What Guitar Accessories Does Thom Yorke Prefer?
- 6. FAQ About Thom Yorke’s Guitars
1. What Inspires Thom Yorke’s Guitar Choices?
Thom Yorke’s guitar preferences are rooted in his diverse musical inspirations and the specific tonal qualities he seeks for each song. Initially inspired by Queen’s Brian May, Yorke’s early guitar was a budget Spanish model given to him for his eighth birthday. According to a September 2003 Blender interview, he told his first teacher, “I want to be Brian May.” Thom’s musical journey has led him to explore various guitar types, each chosen for its distinct characteristics and suitability for particular songs.
1.1 How Did Thom Yorke’s Early Musical Influences Shape His Guitar Preferences?
Thom Yorke’s early musical influences, especially Brian May of Queen, significantly shaped his guitar preferences by instilling an appreciation for unique guitar tones and creative playing styles. This inspired his experimentation with various guitars and tunings, leading to his diverse collection and distinctive sound.
1.2 What Role Does Experimentation Play in Thom Yorke’s Guitar Choices?
Experimentation plays a crucial role in Thom Yorke’s guitar choices, driving him to explore different instruments, tunings, and modifications. This innovative approach allows him to discover new sounds and textures, which are essential to his unique musical expression and compositions.
1.3 What Kind of Guitars Does Thom Yorke Play?
Thom Yorke plays a wide variety of guitars, including electric, acoustic, and bass guitars. His preferences range from solid-body electrics like Telecasters and SGs to hollow-body models such as Gibson ES-125s and Epiphone Casinos. He also uses various acoustic guitars, such as Martin and Lakewood models, and bass guitars, including Fender Mustangs and Guild Starfires.
1.3.1 Electric Guitars
Thom Yorke is known for his use of electric guitars, which provide a range of tones suitable for Radiohead’s diverse sound. Some of his notable electric guitars include:
- Fender Telecasters: Used extensively in the early 90s.
- Gibson SGs: Another early favorite, particularly a 1964 Cherry Red Gibson SG.
- Fender Jazzmasters: Acquired in the mid-90s, becoming a staple for live performances.
- Rickenbacker 330: A semi-hollow body used in the late 90s.
- Epiphone Casinos: Frequently used since the 2010s for both live and studio work.
1.3.2 Acoustic Guitars
Thom Yorke also uses acoustic guitars to create intimate and atmospheric sounds. Key acoustic guitars in his collection include:
- Martin 00-18: Used for its warm and balanced tone.
- Lakewood M14: Favored for its versatility and stage presence.
- Gibson Hummingbird: Known for its rich and full sound.
- K. Yairi YD-88: A favorite during the late 90s for live performances.
1.3.3 Bass Guitars
Thom Yorke’s exploration extends to bass guitars, adding depth and rhythm to his music. Notable bass guitars he has used include:
- Fender Mustang Bass: A short-scale bass favored for its comfort and tone.
- Guild Starfire II Bass: A vintage bass used in recent performances.
- Fender Coronado Bass: A short-scale bass used for its unique sound.
2. What Electric Guitars Does Thom Yorke Use?
Thom Yorke’s journey with electric guitars showcases his evolving musical style and tonal preferences. His early use of Telecasters and SGs transitioned to Deluxe Telecasters and Jazzmasters by the OK Computer era. In the late 90s, he also used a Rickenbacker 330, a semi-hollowbody. True hollow-body guitars entered his collection during the Kid A and Amnesiac periods with the addition of a vintage ES-125, followed by an ES-125T. Hail to the Thief marked a return to solid-body guitars, a trend that continued into In Rainbows. Despite this, Thom acquired a Gibson ES-330 around 2007, using it for older songs and increasingly in solo performances and the 2010 Atoms for Peace tour. This guitar became a staple during The King of Limbs era. In 2012, he added the Epiphone Casino, solidifying his preference for hollow-bodies by 2013, with Casinos and ES-330s being primary instruments for the Atoms for Peace tour. The 2016 A Moon Shaped Pool tour highlighted even more use of Epiphone Casinos, demonstrating his ongoing appreciation for these guitars.
2.1 Early Electric Guitars
In the early stages of his career, Thom Yorke experimented with various electric guitars to find the sound that would define Radiohead’s early music. His choices during this period reflect a blend of affordability, versatility, and personal preference.
2.1.1 Ibanez Blazer BL400BS
Thom Yorke used the Ibanez Blazer BL400BS for early On A Friday gigs and recordings, noting that the knobs seem unoriginal, although Ibanez might have changed them during production. It remains uncertain whether Thom sold this guitar to acquire others or if it remains stored somewhere in his home.
2.1.2 Ibanez Blazer No2?
There is speculation about a second Ibanez Blazer, or possibly the same guitar painted black. It appears Thom drew or painted on the pickguard. This guitar was used to record Nothing Touches Me, possibly during the Drill EP sessions.
While one photo suggests Thom playing guitar during the Drill EP sessions, another from the same sessions references him recording the On A Friday track Nothing Touches Me (Ian Patrick via Radiox.ru).
Thom with his Ibanez Blazer No2
2.2 Gibson SG Standard
Thom Yorke’s use of the Gibson SG Standard marks a significant phase in his electric guitar journey, showcasing his preference for a powerful and versatile instrument during Radiohead’s formative years.
2.2.1 Early-90s Gibson SG Standard (SGS-) (Stolen)
Thom’s first Gibson SG was this 1990s Standard SGS- guitar. It was likely acquired just after the recording of Pablo Honey, as it’s not visible in any studio photos. Alongside his Tele, this SG was one of Thom’s main touring guitars from 1993 until October 3, 1995. Thom only stopped using it when it was stolen Denver along with most of Radiohead’s gear. For any who may somehow come across it and hope to return it, the serial number is 902934****.
Thom used this guitar with Radiohead for:
Thom Yorke's first Gibson SG
2.2.2 Gibson SG Standard Reissue III (Stolen?)
Thom played a Gibson SG Standard Reissue III during late-1993 and/or early-1994. There’s very few photos of Thom using this guitar, and no videos, so most likely it served mainly as a backup for Thom’s SG Standard (SGS-). Assuming it was still used as a backup in 1995, it may have been stolen along with the rest of the band’s geaon October 3, 1995.
The guitar is from either 1989 or 1990. The position of the pickup selector and position of the input jack attest to its model/year of origin show that it’s either a Standard Reissue II or III. The knobs (speed knobs) show that it’s a Standard Reissue III.
Thom Yorke with Gibson SG Standard Reissue III
2.2.3 1964 Cherry Red Gibson SG No1
Thom’s vintage 1964 Gibson SG standard was obtained in mid/late-2006, during the recording of In Rainbows. It is not the more recent “1964 SG Standard Reissue”. Based on live usage of the guitar, it was likely used during the recording of Bodysnatchers, Weird Fishes, Reckoner, and House of Cards. This was Thom’s first SG since his original reissue SG was stolen along with the rest of the band’s gear on October 3, 1995. The guitar still had its vibrola arm when Thom bought it, but he removed it pretty quickly. On tour, the No1 SG is generally used in standard and drop-D tunings. Thom must associate the sound of this guitar with Radiohead, because he’s never used it for his solo projects, though he has used it with The Smile.
Thom used this guitar with Radiohead for:
- Bodysnatchers at all tours from 2008 to 2018.
- Weird Fishes at all tours from 2008 to 2018 (but not for the From The Basmenet video, when Thom used his white Jazzmaster).
- Reckoner at all tours from 2008 to 2018.
- House of Cards at all tours from 2008 to 2018.
- Talk Show Host on the 2008, 2009, and 2012 tours.
- My Iron Lung from 2008-2016, and on the 2018 tour.
- I Might Be Wrong on the 2009 tour.
- Morning Mr Magpie at shows in 2011.
- Meeting In The Isle on the 2012 tour.
- Burn The Witch on the 2016 tour.
- 2+2=5 on the 2016, 2017, and 2018 tours.
- The Tourist in 2017.
- The Bends and Lucky in 2018.
Thom used this guitar with The Smile for:
- A Hairdryer at the Magazine shows in January, 2022.
Thom Yorke's 1964 Gibson SG
2.2.4 Cherry Red Gibson SG No2
Thom also has another Gibson SG which he obtained after the ‘64. Probably also from the 60s, it is used as the spare for his No1 SG. On the 2012 tour, it was also used for certain alternate tunings (CGCGBE to play These Are My Twisted Words, and Drop-D for The National Anthem), meaning that Thom could switch tunings quickly without the tone of his guitar changing.
2.3 Fender Telecaster
The Fender Telecaster has been a consistent presence in Thom Yorke’s guitar arsenal, reflecting its versatility and reliability across various stages of his career. From his early days with Radiohead to more recent performances, the Telecaster remains a favored instrument.
2.3.1 Fender Telecaster Standard Black
Thom’s first Fender Telecaster was a Standard in black finish.It’s likely that he purchased the Standard after the band signed to EMI. It can be seen in photos from the recording of the Drill EP, and was used heavily during touring in 1992-1993. It fell out of favor in 1994 when Thom began to use his black-painted Thinline Telecaster (see the next entry). Since Thom used his Fenix Thinline as a backup for his Fender Thinline in 1994-1995, it’s possible that Thom just left this guitar at home, which would mean that it was not stolen along with the rest of the band’s gear on October 3, 1995.
It appears that Thom never modified the guitar, apart from adding some stickers. The body features a round Pablo Honey-style “r” for “radiohead”, plus some white star strickers. The round sticker on the pickguard shows a smiling sun and says “HAVE A NICE DAY”.
Thom used this guitar live with Radiohead for:
- How Do You in 1992-1993.
- Prove Yourself in 1992-1993.
- Pop is Dead in 1992-1993.
- Faithless The Wonderboy in 1992-1993.
Thom Yorke playing black Telecaster Standard during the recording sessions for Radiohead’s *Drill EP*
Thom Yorke with his black Telecaster Standard in circa-1993
2.3.2 Fender Telecaster Standard Cream (Jonny’s)
Thom can be seen playing Jonny’s cream Telecaster Standard in a couple photos from the recording of the Drill EP. The cream Tele was Jonny’s first guitar, purchased from his guitar teacher when Jonny was 14. The instrument was stolen in Leeds at the Duchess of York on May 15 1992, during Radiohead’s first tour (the Creep Tour).
Based on Thom’s shaved head, the photos of Thom with the guitar appear to be very early during the Drill EP sessions. The sessions lasted from October 1991 to February 1992. Thom’s hair is slightly longer in photos of him playing his own black Telecaster Standard. So perhaps Thom was inspired to pick up a Tele after using Jonny’s, since other photos from the session show Thom playing his Ibanez Blazer.
Thom recording *Drill EP* in late-1991 or early-1992
Thom from during the recording of the *Drill EP* in late-1991 or early-1992
2.3.3 Fender Telecaster Standard Cream
Thom played a cream Telecaster Standard during Radiohead’s UK tour in Deccember 1992. It was likely a touring backup for his black Tele Standard. It shouldn’t confused with Jonny’s cream Telecaster Standard (Jonny’s very first guitar), as that Tele was stolen during a gig at the Duchess of York in Leeds in May 1992.
Thom playing the white Tele Standard during a Radiohead gig in December, 1992
2.3.4 Fender Telecaster Thinline (Stolen)
Acquired circa-1993, Thom used his ‘69-style Fender Telecaster Thinline for touring from 1994 until late-1995. The guitar was stolen in Denver on October 3, 1995, along with the rest of Radiohead’s gear. It can be seen clearly in Radiohead’s Live at the Astoria concert video.
Thom’s Thinline looks to be a ‘69 reissue. But it’s hard to say the exact model, because the original finish was removed and replaced with a black paint job. The black paint has some imperfections, and by 1995 it had started to wear along the edges of the guitar.
Thom used the Thinline to experiment with different pickups and control layouts. The guitar’s tone control was removed, and the output jack was moved to the face of the guitar, using the hole left by the tone control. In early-1994, Thom added a humbucker pickup in the middle position, removing the original pickguard. He swapped in a few different pickups, but eventually removed both the middle pickup and the neck pickup. To cover the routs for the removed pickups, he added a standard telecaster pickguard, making it sometimes hard to identify as a thinline (as the pickguard covers part of the F-hole). The pickguard itself has a hole for a neck pickup, but it just shows the black paint of the guitar. By late-July 1995, the volume knob was replaced by a toggle switch. But perhaps the oddest mod (more likely a repair) is that the D-string’s vintage-style saddle was replaced with a modern style saddle, as visible in this photo.
Thom used this guitar live with Radiohead for:
- Ripcord in 1994-1995.
- Blow Out in 1994-1995.
- The Bends in 1994-1995.
- Just in 1994-1995.
- My Iron Lung in 1994-1995.
- Street Spirit in 1994-1995.
- Maquiladora in 1994-1995.
Thom playing his Thinline Tele during the band’s gig at the Astoria on May 27, 1994
Thom playing his **Thinline Telecaster** in 1995, after he removed the middle pickup
2.3.5 Fenix Telecaster Thinline (Stolen)
Thom played an early-90s Tele Thinline copy from approximately 1993 to 1995. It was likely his spare in case of problems with his black Fender Thinline Tele, since the frequently changing modifications to the Fender guitar likely meant higher chances of problems.
The Fenix Thinline has a few mods to simplify the guitar. First, the tone control was removed, and the output jack was moved to the face of the guitar (using the hole left by the tone control). That was a common mod for Thom’s Teles in the 1990s. By March 1995, the pickup selector had been removed too, with a piece of white electrical tape covering the hole. The guitar was almost certainly wired to use only the bridge pickup, since photos of the guitar with the selector switch always show it in the bridge position. In addition, there’s some tape on bridge saddles, perhaps to reduce buzz when Thom plays aggressively.
By May, Thom had added a sticker below the bridge that read “INSTRUMENTS DO NOT DROP”. By July, on the upper bout, he added a circular, yellow sticker of the letter “r” in the Pablo Honey font. Around the same time, the bridge saddles were re-taped, this time with black tape. You can see these mods in photos by Gordon Milne from Radiohead’s gig at The Bowl Milton on July 30, 1995.
Thom can be seen playing the guitar in footage of My Iron Lung at the Oxford Apollo on February 25, 1995. At the same gig, he played his black Telecaster Thinline for other songs.
Thom can also be seen playing the guitar in footage of Prove Yourself at the Justin Herman Plaza in San Francisco on April 3, 1995. He used his black Tele Thinline for the rest of his electric guitar playing at that show. So presumably he switched to the Fenix so Plank could tune the black Thinline.
Since this guitar served as a backup for Thom’s Fender Thinline, which was stolen, this guitar was probably also stolen on October 3, 1995.
Thom on tour in the UK during early-1995
Thom playing the Fenix at the Forum in London on March 24, 1995
2.3.6 Fender Telecaster Plus Antique Burst (Jonny’s No1)
Thom has been seen playing Jonny’s No1 Telecaster on a few occasions, mainly during recording sessions. Perhaps the most notable is for a performance of I Will at Le Reservoir on July 3, 2003.
Thom and Nigel in the control room at Tottenham house, from during the recording of *In Rainbows*
Thom recording an unknown track in the control room at Studios La Fabrique, from during the recording of *A Moon Shaped Pool*
2.3.7 Fender Telecaster Plus Ebony Frost (Jonny’s old No2)
Thom borrowed Jonny’s old backup Tele Plus for at least one live show in 1993. It’s the same guitar that was stolen in 1995, then re-acquired in 2014.
Thom with Jonny’s Ebony Frost Tele at Student Central (ULU) in London on May 12, 1993
2.3.8 1970s Black Fender Telecaster Deluxe “Tele1”
Acquired in late-1995, Thom’s Telecaster Deluxe was perhaps his favorite guitar, at least for live shows, from the recording of OK Computer through early sessions for In Rainbows.
The guitar has a bunch of mods, mainly to simplify the controls. Both tone controls were removed from the guitar, as was one of the volume controls. The holes in the pick guard where the tone knobs previously resided were then filled filled by the pickup selector and output jack. The hole near the top of the guitar where the selector used to be is covered by a Badtz-Maru sticker. At some point between June 2001 and August 2002, Thom added a bridge cover taken from a Fender Precision bass.
According to Plank, the guitar has an Ash body. Despite all the mods, the guitar is still equipped with its original/stock pickups: Fender Wide Range humbuckers with CuNiFe magnets.
The Deluxe is probably easiest to identify by two prominent stickers: a rainbow Apple Computers logo and a white X-Girl logo. X-Girl is a fashion brand started by Kim Gordan of Sonic Youth and Daisy von Furth in 1994. Though no stickers are visible in late-1995, both had been added to the guitar by April 4, 1996. In 2002, the Apple sticker was covered with a a blue sticker featuring a panda and the words “I miss you.” The Panda sticker is visible in footage as from Toyko and Coachella in spring 2004. Radiohead didn’t tour in 2005, but when they toured again in 2006 the Panda sticker was gone and the Apple Computer sticker was visible once again. In 2003, Thom added a “No Star Wars” sticker on the pickguard near the lower horn of the guitar.
After the band’s gear was stolen in Denver on October 3, 1995, Radiohead acquired a bunch of vintage Fender gear, including Thom’s Jazzmaster, Jonny’s Starcaster, Colin’s P-basses, and the Rhodes piano. He can be seen with the Tele Deluxe in footage from Brussels in December 1995. He most likely acquired the guitar on October 6th or 7th, during a brief gap in touring when the band flew to Los Angeles to acquired new gear.
The guitar fell out of favor when after Thom borrowed a 1964 Gibson SG from Johnny Marr during the recording of In Rainbows, and soon after acquired a couple ‘64 SG guitars of his own.
Based on studio footage from the band’s sessions at Ocean Way Studio B, the guitar was almost certainly used for the studio recording of 2+2=5. It was likely also used for the studio recording of I Will.
Thom used this guitar live with Radiohead for:
- You on the 1996 tour.
- Anyone Can Play Guitar on the 1996 tour.
- Just on the 1995 (Oct-Dec), 1996, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, and possibly 2006 tours.
- The Bends in Oct-Dec 1995 (Dec 5: Brussels), 1996, and some shows in 1997 (May 22: Barcelona).
- My Iron Lung on the 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2002, and 2003-2004 tours.
- 2+2=5 on the 2003-2004 tour and the 2006 tour.
- I Will on 2002 and 2003 tour.
- Weird Fishes on the 2006 tour.
Thom with his 1970s Tele Deluxe during *Just* at the Pinkpop Festival on May 27, 1996
Thom’s 70s Telecaster Deluxe sitting on Plank’s workbench
2.3.9 1970s Sunburst Fender Telecaster Custom “Tele2”
Like the Tele1, the Thom’s Custom Telecaster was acquired in late-1995, after the theft of all the band’s gear on October 3, 1995. It also sported a vintage Apple sticker for many years. Both of the tone and one of the volume pots were removed soon after the guitar was acquired. It became a spare for Thom’s Tele Deluxe (Tele1) after it was converted to a Telecaster Deluxe in 2006, but soon after that both guitars fell out of use completely, replaced by Thom’s new acquired vintage 1964 Gibson SG guitars.
Based on live shows, Thom probably played the guitar on the studio recordings of The Tourist, Where I End And You Begin, and Lift. It was NOT used for the studio recording of Talk Show Host, since it was acquired after that song had been recorded.
The original bridge pickup was replaced with a Seymour Duncan stacked humbucker at some point, probably 2005 or 2004. In 2006, Plank re-routed the bridge and replaced the stacked humbucker with a Fender Wide Range Humbucker, essentially converting it to a Telecaster Deluxe.
Thom used this guitar live with Radiohead for:
- Planet Telex on the 1996 tour.
- Talk Show Host on the 1997, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2002, and 2003-2004 tours.
- Lift on the 1996 tour.
- The Tourist on the 1997 and 1998, and 2003-2004 tours. Probably also used from 2000-2003, but live footage is hard to find.
- Where I End And You Begin on the 2002 and 2003-2004 tours.
- Planet Telex on the 2004 tour and possibly the 2006 tour. Visible in footage from the 2004 Coachella festival.
Thom playing his Telecaster Custom in circa-1995, soon after acquiring the guitar
