Karma Police

The recording

Recorded at St. Catherine's Court in 1997, 'Karma Police' features Jonny Greenwood's clean Telecaster lines and Ed O'Brien's 12‑string Rickenbacker layered through a Vox AC30. The guitars were captured using close‑mic'd amps and a Neve console, while Nigel Godrich added an AMS DMX 15‑80S to generate the echo that repeats the final chord. The spacious feel comes from the bright Telecaster tone, the chiming 12‑string texture, and the subtle delay that sits prominently in the mix.

Tuning Standard E A D G B E

Reported gear

1968 Fender Telecaster

Guitar

Jonny Greenwood played the clean arpeggiated chords on a 1968 Fender Telecaster, using the bridge pickup for a bright tone.

1990s Rickenbacker 360/12

Guitar

Ed O'Brien added shimmering texture with a 1990s Rickenbacker 360/12 12‑string, strumming open chords that fill the mix.

Vox AC30 (head)

Amp

The guitars were routed through a Vox AC30 head, its Top Boost channel delivering the warm, slightly overdriven clean tone heard throughout the track.

AMS DMX 15-80S Stereo Digital Delay

Delay

Nigel Godrich used an AMS DMX 15‑80S to create the pitch‑shifted echo that repeats the final guitar chord in the song’s outro.

Alternatives

Squier Classic Vibe Telecaster

Modern equivalent · for the 1968 Fender Telecaster

$350 to $450

Vox AC30 Custom Reissue

Reissue · for the Vox AC30 (head)

$1,500 to $2,200

Ibanez Musician 12‑string

Budget alternative · for the 1990s Rickenbacker 360/12

$500 to $700

TC Electronic Flashback Delay

Modern equivalent · for the AMS DMX 15-80S Stereo Digital Delay

$200 to $250

Practical playing approach

Recreation guidance, not a claim about undocumented studio control positions.

1. 1.Select the bridge pickup on the Telecaster for a bright, articulate tone.
2. 2.Play the chord arpeggios with a light attack, letting each note ring clearly.
3. 3.Maintain a moderate guitar volume to keep the AC30’s clean channel from breaking up.
4. 4.Add subtle vibrato on the final chord before the delay repeats.
5. 5.Mute strings slightly with the left hand during verses to tighten the rhythm.