Tone library / Radiohead / Killer cars

Killer cars amp settings — Aroma Ag-10

The Radiohead guitar tone for “Killer cars”, dialed in for a Aroma Ag-10 with a Donner Standard series. Studio B-side version from High & Dry/Planet Telex single (1995), recorded at RAK Studios

Original rig

Fender amp (clean channel), Fender Telecaster Plus, minimal pedals - straightforward indie rock tone with slight edge

Jangly clean-to-edge rhythm with mid-forward bite, slightly compressed indie sparkle
Amp settings — Aroma Ag-10
GAIN 3 BASS 4 MID 6 TREBLE 6 PRESENCE 5 REVERB 2 MASTER 5
KnobSetting (0–10)
Gain3
Bass4
Mid6
Treble6
Presence5
Reverb2
Master5
Don’t have a Aroma Ag-10? Match your own rig →
Guitar
PICKUPbridge+middle TONE7 VOLUME10
Signal chain

01Boss SD-1 or Tube Screamer clone

RECOMMENDED — not currently owned. A basic overdrive set as a clean boost will add the edge and compression this track needs. Without it, push amp gain to 4-5 but expect less definition.

Drive 2 · Tone 5 · Level 6
Why these settings

The Aroma AG-10 is a small solid-state practice amp with limited headroom and a slightly boxy midrange. The original Fender had more clean headroom and sparkle, so I pushed mids to 6 and kept treble moderate to avoid the harsh high-end typical of budget solid-state amps. Rolling tone knob to 7 tames the ice-pick frequencies your Donner's bridge pickup will produce.

PRO TIPGreenwood plays with a light touch and lets the amp do the work — dig in only on accents. Position your pick closer to the neck for a rounder attack that mimics the Telecaster's woody character through your brighter single-coil Donner.

Get this tone on your amp

These settings are for a Aroma Ag-10. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.

Get ToneAdapt on Google Play
Find your amp
Browse
Radiohead tonesALL SONGS Donner Standard series tonesSAME GUITAR Tone libraryEVERYTHING

Song, artist and gear names are used to identify the tone being matched; ToneAdapt is not affiliated with or endorsed by the artists or manufacturers mentioned. Settings are AI-generated starting points — trust your ears.

Get ToneAdapt — first match free