Paranoid Android

The recording

During the recording of Paranoid Android at St Catherine's Court, Greenwood recorded his Telecaster Plus through a chain of a Boss FV‑100 volume pedal, an Electro‑Harmony Small Stone phaser, a Marshall ShredMaster overdrive and a Boss LS‑2 line selector before sending the signal into a Vox AC30 head. He employed a custom kill switch on the guitar to produce rhythmic stutter effects and used the volume pedal to swell into the soaring solo, while the Small Stone added a subtle phase that thickens the clean sections. The combination of the AC30’s chime and the ShredMaster’s saturated lead created the dynamic contrast that defines the song’s verses, bridge, and climactic outro.

Tuning Standard (E A D G B E)·Strings Dean Markley Signature Series .010-.046

Reported gear

Fender Telecaster Plus (1990s)

Guitar

Greenwood’s Telecaster Plus, fitted with a custom kill switch and Lace Sensor pickups (Blue neck, dual Red bridge), was used for the Paranoid Android solo, delivering the bright, cutting tone that drives the song’s climax.

Boss FV-100 Volume Pedal (1990s)

Volume Pedal

The FV‑100 lets Greenwood swell the guitar’s volume for the gradual build‑up before the solo, a technique heard in Paranoid Android’s dynamic sections.

Electro‑Harmony Small Stone V2 (2000s)

Phaser

The Small Stone adds a subtle swirling phase that colors the clean sections and the outro solo, a signature element of Greenwood’s tone on Paranoid Android.

Marshall ShredMaster (1990s)

Overdrive

The ShredMaster provides the gritty overdrive that pushes the Telecaster’s tone into a saturated lead during the song’s solo sections.

Boss LS-2 Line Selector (1990s)

Line Selector

The LS‑2 allows Greenwood to switch between clean and overdriven signal paths, enabling the dynamic contrast heard throughout Paranoid Android.

Vox AC30 head (1960s‑70s reissue)

Amp

The Vox AC30 head drives the Telecaster’s clean tone, delivering the chime and sparkle that form the song’s foundational texture, especially in the verses and bridge.

Alternatives

Fender Player Telecaster

Modern equivalent · for the Fender Telecaster Plus (1990s)

$700 to $850

Marshall Guv’nor Overdrive Pedal

Modern equivalent · for the Marshall ShredMaster (1990s)

$150 to $200

Boss FV-500 Volume Pedal

Modern equivalent · for the Boss FV-100 Volume Pedal (1990s)

$80 to $110

Boss LS-5 Line Selector

Modern equivalent · for the Boss LS-2 Line Selector (1990s)

$80 to $110

Electro‑Harmony Small Stone (original)

Still made · for the Electro‑Harmony Small Stone V2 (2000s)

$70 to $100

Vox AC30 Custom Classic Reissue

Reissue · for the Vox AC30 head (1960s‑70s reissue)

$2,200 to $2,800

Practical playing approach

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

1. 1.Engage the custom kill switch to create stuttered rhythmic bursts.
2. 2.Use the volume pedal to swell the guitar’s level into the solo for dramatic dynamics.
3. 3.Set the Small Stone’s rate low for a subtle phase that adds depth to clean passages.
4. 4.Push the ShredMaster into light overdrive for the soaring lead tone.
5. 5.Toggle the LS‑2 to switch between clean AC30 tone and distorted ShredMaster for contrast.