The bends amp settings — Fender Blues Junior IV
The Radiohead guitar tone for “The bends”, dialed in for a Fender Blues Junior IV with a Fender Player Telecaster. Studio version, The Bends album (1995)
Fender Telecaster Plus (Lace Sensor Red/Blue/Silver) → Pro Co Turbo RAT → Fender Eighty-Five solid-state (clean channel, no overdrive)
| Knob | Setting (0–10) |
|---|---|
| Gain | 2 |
| Bass | 5 |
| Mid | 4 |
| Treble | 6 |
| Presence | 0 |
| Reverb | 0 |
| Master | 5 |
01Valeton GP-5 (RAT-style distortion patch)
Select a RAT or 'Rodent' model if available in the GP-5. The original Turbo RAT has more gain and brightness than a standard RAT — push gain higher and roll filter slightly dark. Run direct into amp input, NOT in an FX loop.
The original used a solid-state Eighty-Five set totally clean — the Blues Junior is a tube amp that compresses and warms the signal. To approximate that raw, uncolored RAT sound, keep the Blues Junior gain at 2 (minimal preamp grit), cut mids to 4 (the Eighty-Five was voiced mid-scooped), and use NO reverb — the original tone is bone dry. Your Player Tele's single coils are brighter than Lace Sensors, so treble stays at 6 instead of higher.
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These settings are for a Fender Blues Junior IV. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.
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