That Jonny Sound... Lace Sensor Pickup Demo and Tone Discussion by Joe Edelmann

[@lucianprime2555]

Just wish Fender would do a signature Jonny Greenwood guitar. I would buy in a second.

[@JoeEdelmann3]

It would be cool, but I can definitely see Jonny having no interest in it based on his comments about guitars in the past haha

[@lucianprime2555]

@@JoeEdelmann3 Yep completely agree. I should have probably rephrased that. I think Fender definitely would. Jonny would have zero interest in it. But maybe there is a very slight chance of him coming out with a signature Ondomo. I almost dropped $3k on a French connection the other day but I talked myself out of it since I would still need to go down the rabbit hole of buying a bunch of modular gear as well.

[@jaked5144]

@@lucianprime2555 Have you looked into the Therevox? Bit cheaper of an alternative

[@VictorC53]

So fun fact,I met Thom Yorke in 2012 and this came up in conversation. Fender had already offered Jonny an endorsement which included supplying him with guitars and a potential signature model. He rejected because he “already has three guitars”.

[@borasmussen4794]

I made a replica of his guitar that I am considering selling with a tweed case If you’re interested let me know

[@BladeDoomer86]

Jonny has evolved so much in his career, yet his guitar sound is iconic and easily recognizable.. Legend

[@metallicaamsterdam]

This is exactly what I was looking for. It’s super well done and detailed. Thanks man! Can’t wait to try these out on my tele.

[@vishtube]

From the hair, one could tell you are Greenwood Fan. And lovely playing! You're the guitarist + nerd. Rare combo

[@mustang9902]

This video is exactly what i was looking for! Thank you so much Joe 🐦

[@SoloSlater]

Just fitted my Modern Player Plus with these Lace Sensors. It's exactly the sound I've wanted, does so many genres exceedingly well. I find the single coil nature of the blue combined with the dark humbucker sound of the Dually Red makes for some great versatility, with the middle pickup being almost Strat-like. It's been hard to stop playing it and your video was very helpful in researching the pickups. Great demos and great points here as always!

[@bydeattic8319]

Thank you for your dedication to this subjects. Such detail and organisation made me a fan of your work a few months ago.

[@thetumans1394]

YES! I was just looking for a video on this topic when you, the king of JG tones himself, drops a video on the subject.

[@JoeEdelmann3]

☺️ I’m but a pretender to the King of Gear’s (and Taka’s) throne!

[@zacky8080]

I've also been thinking about getting this kind of modification. Your video is so clear and logical like an academic paper! I found every piece of information I need in this video. Thank you, Joe!

[@landonbailey]

This was awesome!

[@JoeEdelmann3]

Thanks Landon and thanks for your help with the tone samples!

[@junokarah3495]

You just taught me something about my own Tele Plus- Thank you for this Joe!

[@zackguitar07]

This video is phenomenal, Joe! My best friend and I have been revisiting "The Bends" and Jonny's tones on there and I had to share this with him. We found a Deluxe 85 at Guitar Center for $250 and hoping to pick that up (pun unintended). Gotta convince him to get a Tele Plus next haha. Thanks for the cool tones and really helpful discussion about how the lace sensor pickups are such an important part of the Jonny sound!

[@ieuanphillips4963]

Wow that is a good deal

[@rayclardy]

Wow man what an incredible video! Articulate and thorough.

[@stephenstrang590]

What a fantastic video. That was a lot of work you only do that if you really love what your doing.

[@ItsMisterEp]

I've learned so much about guitar gear in This video and ur channel overall. And waiting through all the explanation made the demo worth it

[@JoeEdelmann3]

Im really glad to hear that!

[@thebreakfastmenu]

I made a Tele Plus out of a Modern Player series Telecaster. Although I did it because I wanted quiet single coils for doing live loops so I wasnt looping 60 cycle hum again and again, I was super excited to get "THAT" tone, too.

[@JoeEdelmann3]

That’s awesome! They’re a very cool and unique sound.

[@thebreakfastmenu]

@@JoeEdelmann3 Definitely! It justifies having more guitars, too. Which never hurts

[@JoeEdelmann3]

@@thebreakfastmenu 😆 ideal guitars = current guitars + 1

[@ecg8510]

Best gear nerd video ever incoming?

[@robsthedon]

Thanks for a very comprehensive demo.

[@danielcarter3928]

you’re right there bro! sounds amazing

[@zerosoma33]

I can’t believe how close you’ve nailed his sound. That’s it. The playing too. Good job!!

[@landonbailey]

I watched this a month ago but forgot to comment. No comment. Just kidding that was awesome!

[@JoeEdelmann3]

Haha no worries! Thanks Landon!

[@jaked5144]

I play in a blackgaze group, but Johnny’s tone has been super influential on me. I’m using two duallies, a Red/Red in the bridge and a Red/Blue in the neck. On the amp side I’m using a KSR Ceres, straight into a Cabzeus emulating a Jensen and a Vintage 30. With the mid hump in the pickups, I scoop the mids quite heavily. I get a very aggressive tone, but with really good note clarity, which is essential since I’m using a lot of four and five note chords, which tend to get really muddy with high gain. Johnny’s tone is legendary though, wish this video had been out so I didn’t have to go through so much trial and error - solid vid, man.

I cannot wait for the next batch of Oxford Drives… excellent walk through man!

[@Pédrak-k4s]

Loved the video! watched it long time ago, a month ago i fitted my tele with lace blue and red, i almost replicated every clean tone in RH discography, but im kinda in trouble with the 90s distortion, since im a guy with not plenty of money im doing everything digital! and struggling to find an amp that sound like a Fender 85, the best i could get was a Jazz Chorus 120 with a TONEX Marshall Shredmaster ha!

[@mushyw1234]

I think your demo of Sulk really nails everything you're talking about: Hot Rails + Oxford Drive + AC30 = Whoa that sounds great. That's really close considering it's not really the same gear. The OD is evidently a great pedal. Dually Reds + OD + AC30 = Ok take that back those Lace pickups are the difference. Amazing how much closer it gets you when the hot rails already sounded really similar. Can see the benefit for a tone obsessive. Dually Reds + OD + Eighty Five = Jesus fuck that's literally the exact sound of the record. I don't know what you think but it seems to me the Eighty Five is almost *the* key component. Pickups and pedals get you 85% there but that amp thrusts the tone into virtual mimicry. Really impressive.

[@angelosanti9761]

I think Joe is going after taka for number 1 radiohead gear enthusiast

[@JoeEdelmann3]

😆 we’re all in it together I swear!

[@angelosanti9761]

@@JoeEdelmann3 hahah,

[@ajsmith4181]

Brilliant Joe!! Loving these

[@tarzanguitar743]

thank you! excellent demo. im positive i will be putting the red dually in my bridge!

[@GreenHoleSun]

Great video, thank you for sharing your experience. I have a fender telecaster modern player plus, a particular model that is no longer in production (it was made in China and it was very affordable...maybe too affordable for Fender!) It has no lace sensor pickup but it is my main and most beloved guitar because it is well built (very good neck, pine body, shaped on the back like a strat) and extremely versatile (noiseless pickups, a strat pickup in the middle, a splittable humbucker at the bridge, 5 way switch). I too considered the idea of switching the pickups with lace sensor ones...then I gave up because this guitar in its original form is a perfect platform for pedals and effects (very clean sound).

[@laffta6727]

I would love to hear a PAF pickup in ur tele--heard some people love the complex sound and clarity of these type of pick ups--thx-great video

[@endezeichengrimm]

7:26 AHA! I knew it!. I have the super badass distortion and love it. I might buy the new Shredmaster as well.

[@GIBKEL]

Wicked.....it’s an unruly sound that diametrically sounds so melodic and gives the listener the sense of it completely coming apart and off the rails. I’m just building my first tele and I haven’t the balls to go this far. I’ve got some gorgeous neck and body wood but stayed in the traditional lane. Kudos.... and a great distraction in the middle of chaos. So much fun it hurts. Like Andy Summers, these iconic tele sounds are so unique yet birds of a feather.

[@MrScoots30]

Awesome man. I did the same mod to my American tele back in 2017 using the same Sigler 920D control plate, pick guard and lace p/u’s. Wish i had an AC 30 but I’ve only got the Eighty Five (an eBay purchase back in 2002ish. Keep up the great content!

[@surfreverbguy7364]

Another great video! I did the 920D full upgrade with the lace sensors and control plate. Love it. Have been playing it for a couple years now. ... I honestly don’t think I could live without the TBX tone control ... it’s such a fantastic thing. I think a lot more people would love this type of tone control if they only experienced it. Especially as you say when needing to clean up heavy low end for certain pieces or when playing certain amps. Thanks for the great videos!!!

[@weezer91101]

Absolutely spot on. You’ve inspired me to make a few mods to my telecaster perhaps. Cheers!

[@connorrowe1870]

Dude killer tones. Well done.

[@gregpatch9467]

Another Lace Sensor tone god was Michael Houser of Widespread Panic, although he used the Tele Plus Deluxe through Soldano SLO 100's and Mesa cabs. If you like JG's tone check out some old Panic from before 2001.

[@kkrsnn5632]

Video revisited, superb tones 👌😁

[@LeftyPem]

Red knob Fender amps for LIFE❤

[@WeaponsRemorse]

Lately I’ve loved the middle Position of my “Jonny greenwood” tele with my lace blue near flush

[@JoeEdelmann3]

It’s a great sound!

[@WeaponsRemorse]

@@JoeEdelmann3 indeed

[@stanleysperring1025]

I love this so much. I have been debating to do this mod because i do love the versatility of this guitar especially with the coil split. Nice one Joe

[@JoeEdelmann3]

Thanks! It really is a versatile setup and I do really dig the split sound also!

[@isaacwilliams9919]

This is SPOT ON!

[@DustyBilbo]

This video is absolutely amazing! Just bought a Fender 85 on reverb 😂

[@TisTheDamnStickSeason]

Jonny is pretty much a God (as is Thom obviously). I've felt this way for 25yrs. No band has turned my world (and approach to playing and singing) on its head quite like Radiohead.

[@marcschleicher9383]

Great piece! Excellent sounds.

[@EricSeaholm]

Love your take on all things RH, and wonder when you’ll venture into your own unique music. You’re ready

[@JoeEdelmann3]

Thanks! I have a couple originals on this channel and more to come! kzbin.info/aero/PLQInzQT0ll9Gx5zyyaDmoeDhW8WY1dDkG

[@deanhagian2228]

You've done an amazing job 👏 🙌

[@drbelljazz]

Great demo thanks!

[@zeon137]

Great video Joe :)

[@shelovesdisco2153]

Most interesting video, thanks so much for sharing

[@MichelLamblin]

Great work. Was wondering how your new Tele would tackle that There There lead passage, and then I assumed you must have covered it before on your channel, but - gasp - you haven't! Methinks he's driving it with an SD-1...

[@pickle4293]

I remember the lace sensor comment i wrote a year ago, it finally came true.

[@f.p.6272]

Can't wait!

[@shannonhooge6241]

Dude. Awesome....

[@JonathanCasey711]

Just a comment on your vid. Most people would be turned off by how much you talk. I personally however, love the detailed dive in your gear, as most people gloss over major build details. So while you probably aren’t for the majority crowd, I get what you’re doing, and I really appreciate it. I can’t imagine any seasoned guitar player not liking your vids. Really great detailed content

[@d3fault511]

Can't wait to see your hail to the thief stuff in future

[@christophernoia5197]

Whoa sail to the moon AND the trickster? Killin it

[@zakguitar2359]

Thank you ! Most tele plus demos seem to have the audio recorded with their phone, it's nice to hear em nice and clearly. I've been wondering, is it worth modding my guitar to a tele plus if I don't plan on only playing radiohead stuff ? The internet is quite divided towards lace sensors with comments ranging from "those are sterile and lifeless" to "I've had them for 30 years and never looked back" so it's hard to tell how good/versatile they are.

[@JoeEdelmann3]

Of course! You know, it’s a tough choice. I do think Laces are really unique/cool-looking and sounding pickups. They don’t really sound like traditional Fender pickups. They CAN be versatile with the right wiring (I.e. being able to split the Dually Red since it’s very dark and uniquely intense as a HB). They nail Jonny’s thing but I was actually able to get some other pretty cool tones on a cover of How Soon Is Now also… But that being said, the guitar does lose some of its Fendery/Tele”ness and gets a little more Gibsony. If you like high gain tones the Dually distorts crazy well. If you like a nice fat Les Paul neck humbucker the Lace Blue is way thicker sounding than a standard Tele or Strat neck. But then again, plenty of great, huge guitar tones were made with regular old Tele single coils, so YMMV!

[@zakguitar2359]

@@JoeEdelmann3 Thank you ! I was actually dissatisfied with single coils in general, the only way I could manage to get a sound I like out of them is by rolling off the highs by any extent possible. But I'm also not totally satisfied with the Gibson sound, which I find a bit too mid heavy and uhhh "dad rock n roll-ish". So it was either the lace or p90s, lace sensors are noiseless and they allow me to play jonny parts as well sooooooo I hope they'll be as nice as I think they are !!

[@knivesout33]

I could watch you play Radiohead riffs for the whole day.

[@kurtlawson4012]

I've been thinking about building a JG tele for awhile. It seems like if you're starting from scratch you could get a Fender Player HH tele (MIM) and then swap the pickups and electronics and maybe no routing required at all. Also, great video. I have really enjoyed your Radiohead videos especially being similarly obsessed with them but far less musically adept than you or them, haha.

[@DavidD-un5oy]

I have made a tele plus from a fender modern player. The advantage is that there is very limited routing needed to the body. I also went the 920d control route and had a custom pick guard made by wd music.

[@isaacstanfield4743]

The Strat and Telecaster Plus models all had, along with Lace pickups and roller nuts, a "swimming pool" route. The cavity under the pickguard was fully routed like a rectangular swimming pool rather than just spots for the pickups. I'm in the process of putting a Lace dually in a Squier baritone Telecaster, so I cut out a lot of wood while I had it taken apart. I also have an early 90s Strat plus with the swimming pool route, and I love the sound of that guitar.

[@kurtlawson4012]

@@isaacstanfield4743 oh interesting. I didn't realize they were swimming pool routed

[@pitbull2365]

Set reminder on 👍 Wait I’ll be at work 😬😬😬 I’ll look forward to seeing this at 2-3am then 😂😂😂

[@suryarandi5000]

THANKYOU!

[@buchaneb]

You should do voiceover work or audiobooks. Keeping expecting you suddenly start a passage from Catcher in the Rye.

[@JoeEdelmann3]

😂 thanks!

[@ianedmonds9191]

The fender amp works best with the Lace Humbucker sound.

[@BeesWaxMinder]

That SCN tone on Creep was just such a revelation to me!! 💕

[@TheMightyChuRro]

I have the same amp! Except mine is more of a tribute to Kevin Shield's use of the Red knob twin, awesome lovely amp

[@eneDK5594]

I had lace sensors on a telly. My experience is: They sound great if you have other guitarists in your band doing rhytmic stuff I wouldn't recommend at all if you are the only guitar player, lace sensors does not "breathe"... Johnny was great in picking the right instrument for his band. Doesn't really work well in other projects

[@Corey-gb1rx]

the edge of breakup muted guitar tones all over in rainbows man love that shit.

[@michaelmarchei8539]

Now do we wanna go down the rabbit hole of different ac30 reissues an their tonal difference LOL 🙏. love the Chanel duder

[@stormcreator56]

I just did this exact same thing (down to the gotoh bridge) to my Mexican Tele. I did split the dually with a new volume pot. Nice job!

[@stormcreator56]

spoke too soon. You did the split too! I just need to get a 22 fret neck

[@cf5914]

I have owned a 1991 Tele Plus since I think the year 2000. I bought it from a guy who bought two teles, a normal one and mine, and he never played the Plus so it still had all the tags and stickers on it. It is the only guitar I've never sold. They're excellent guitars and yours sounds pretty close.

[@JoeEdelmann3]

awesome! Wow, glad you think so! ☺️ this one plays really nicely too, good solid, slightly chunky neck which I like!

[@cf5914]

@@JoeEdelmann3 To be honest, after playing mine as my primary guitar for 20 years now, it has just become part of how I play. I have noticed for most people, getting used to the lace sensors takes some time because the output is so high. I primarily play it through a tweed fender style amp and rarely use the drive channel, I just play hard and drive it that way. Doesn't sound at all like Radiohead, but I love the sound and the feel. Its excellent for clean tones as well, if you play really softly and let the sounds bloom.

[@JoeEdelmann3]

@@cf5914 totally agreed, it’s an adjustment thing but you actually come to appreciate the sensitivity! And it is definitely more versatile than just the Jonny sound even if it nails it!

[@darkj3di336]

This is a similar set up on my Pacifica 412v. Clapton style Blue,Gold and Red duelly with TBX☺️sounds very similar. Through a Fender Amp. No effects.

[@YumeBasil]

One thing to get closer to the tone is increase the treble then it's 100% the sound

[@dcbarlow78]

Great vid, I'm mid-way through getting the parts together for my Tele upgrade based around the 920d / Lace pickups....albeit a few other bits special treats including an epic new neck (!)....like you say probably only slightly cheaper than buying a Plus outright but in my opinion....my Franken-caster will be better anyway :-)

[@Holden-C.]

nailed it!

[@throgersrockband9927]

Awesome job! Love your videos. What are your amp settings?

[@JoeEdelmann3]

Thanks! If I remember correctly I think everything (bass/middle/treble) is around 5 or 6, volume is at 1 (this thing gets LOUD haha) and no reverb. Sometimes a slight push in the mids. The King of Gear has a good settings breakdown on the 85 that I followed.

[@throgersrockband9927]

@@JoeEdelmann3 much appreciated! How much do you think the tele plus with lace sensors is needed to get the tone and is there anything that you can get off the shelf today that would be similar?

[@JoeEdelmann3]

@@throgersrockband9927 the lace sensor Dually red sounds like no other pickup I’ve ever heard. It is SUPER saturated in the low mids (hard to get a bright clean tone out of 😅) but it really excels into a distortion like the Shredmaster and a solid state amp. All three of those ingredients really contribute something special to the sound. A regular hot humbucker like a Duncan JB would still work pretty well though, as long as you had one of the other two ingredients.

[@johnschwab3749]

Curiously, these are some of the same lines from an episode of Flash Gordon in 1943 when Dr. Zarkov explains time warp theory.

[@bendm2003]

Joe can you recommend pots and tone caps to use with the lace sensors to get Johnny’s sound?

[@JoeEdelmann3]

I used a control plate from 920D Custom that had a 250K Bourns push pull pot (to split the bridge bucker) and a TBX (ie dual gang) tone pot, which I believe are a 250K and 1M pot in tandem for hi or low cut. I’m not confident Jonny kept the stock TBX on his 90s Tele plus, but I do feel like the 250K volume pot at least was the best choice for his darker bridge pickup sound. I briefly experimented with 500K but it was a little sharp sounding.

[@trydenfeld3015]

i can't help but hear siamese dream with lace reds

[@taidhgcampbell-mansfield7235]

Where'd you get the minotaur sticker please please please...??? 🥰 Very cool 😎

[@JoeEdelmann3]

On eBay! www.ebay.com/itm/273576112818

[@taidhgcampbell-mansfield7235]

@@JoeEdelmann3 Oh fantastic! Cheers a million 🍻 will def be buying a few, and what a speedy response man wow, you're sure on the ball huh?! Haha 😅😉 Nice video btw and I really like your telecaster, I will have to look into that type of pickup you have on the neck...🤔 All the best my man

[@BeesWaxMinder]

Towards the end you comment on modding or altering the sound of a hot rails. Do you know of any articles online or in magazines or even KZbin videos which goes into more detail about this, please?

[@pieta9097]

what kind of kill switch did he use? which one are you using?

[@nicolasroque990]

Future Joe is now Past Joe 🤨. Good job on the video!

[@JoeEdelmann3]

Time is a flat circle

[@rasmusdavidandersen7195]

hey, i know im like 3 years late but where did you get the sticker?

[@JoeEdelmann3]

@@rasmusdavidandersen7195 no worries! On eBay or Etsy I believe!

[@realmonster8804]

Hi joe I have couple of question to ask. first of all I'm just wondering how that lace sensor in your tele sounds in clean channel comparing to hot rails ? and second is what pots are you using 500k or 250k ?

[@JoeEdelmann3]

Hey there! I’d say both the Lace Dually Red and the Hot Rails have a dark, low-midrange, crunchy sound through a clean channel… and I’m using a 250k volume pot with a TBX tone pot!

[@raziel0688]

Great Job!!! Amazing sound! Can you tell us the way you set the Vox the Fender and the Oxford!? Thanks

[@JoeEdelmann3]

Thanks! The Fender is set on with all EQs at 11 o clock and volume between 1 and 2, no other controls active (ie reverb or channel 2). The Oxford is Bass around noonish, contour at 5 o clock, Treble near 2 o clock, gain at 3 o clock and volume around noon. The Vox is normal channel, bright switch on, channel volume at 9 o clock, master volume near noon. Hope this helps!

[@raziel0688]

@@JoeEdelmann3 Thanks!! Last question (sorry) : which model of Vox ac30 do you use? cc2 hand wired?

[@JoeEdelmann3]

@@raziel0688 no problem! It’s the handwired, but the one with greenbacks not blues!

[@CntBag]

Do you have any more info on what compressors/EQ you had on, and the settings?

[@willjones8801]

bro the fender deluxe 85 sounds better than the vox ac30 imo for creep.. such a full and evil sound

[@alphachestnut]

would a lace sensor red single coil be good enough? don't really wanna spend that much money on dually reds

[@JoeEdelmann3]

Having heard a single red on its own (using the coil split on mine)…. It doesn’t really sound the same as the fat lower mid punch of the humbucker…. It is still pretty aggressive and distorts well though! Just a little bit brighter

[@odhypradhana6556]

OH GOD OH GOD OH GOD

[@jpol221]

what are you doing at 12:50 to cut the guitar output off by tapping?

[@JoeEdelmann3]

That’s a kill switch! It temporarily mutes the signal. Jonny has one installed in his tele plus as well

[@nah3]

Hey Joe, how'd you wire up the TBX pot? did you use the stock wiring that fender suggests? or the modded wiring where it "actually" takes off bass frequencies?

[@angelosanti9761]

I'm gonna need that vox...now

[@JoeEdelmann3]

It’s one hell of a classic amp!

[@ihasmario]

What's the bridge that fits the dually so nicely?

[@JoeEdelmann3]

Gotoh Humbucker bridge for Tele!

[@ihasmario]

@@JoeEdelmann3 do you find the dually really quacky clean into some amps? Trying to diagnose a problem 🤓

[@JoeEdelmann3]

@@ihasmario it does have a very pronounced lower mid range hump, I have noticed it can sound a little quacky on some amps yeah. But it’s possible you have a phase issue going on maybe? Given the two coils are technically independent (3 wires each)

[@kintaro_f]

when it's just pure distortion flying... 9:09 👽🤘

[@jedailprod]

Good video, but i think the arpeggio stuff jonny uses mostly the neck pickup ;)

[@JoeEdelmann3]

thanks! I think he makes use of both the neck and the bridge at different times for clean stuff! I copied my friend Taka’s settings for Weird Fishes for example, where he used the Dually for that warm, mid focused sound

[@mikeroadblock]

Nice!!!

[@jimbaaab]

Thanks, Joe. Super insightful as usual. I have the triple (‘91 Tele Plus, Fender 85, Shredmaster) and I still struggle to dial in the tone to my satisfaction. There’s so many variables at play besides the guitar, amp, and pedal, with playing style probably being the most impactful. I think the room you play in, maybe even the leads you use all have something to contribute. Do you find that the recorded sounds are more faithful to Jonny’s tone than what you hear when you’re playing ‘live’?

[@JoeEdelmann3]

You’re right, to quote David Bowie as Nikola Tesla, exact science is not an exact science 😆 the room and how you pick are also important factors. I’m sure there are also moderate (though not severe) amounts of eq/compression in what Nigel or the front of house do to the miced and mixed signal. These samples to me show the essence is there on the recording, but it does feel pretty similar to me in the room also. (I have my amps in a side room with the door cracked and PA speakers feeding out the miced up sound to blend.)

[@jimbaaab]

@@JoeEdelmann3 I also wonder if playing volume might be a big factor. I’ve read (maybe on TKOG) that Jonny’s 85 volume setting is around 2 or 3 and he has the Shredmaster volume on full. Last time I tried that, Mrs. Jim threatened to throw me (and my gear) out of the house 🤣 Unfortunately ‘bedroom’ volumes are none too satisfying.

[@JoeEdelmann3]

@@jimbaaab hahah yep that’s another key limitation. I can’t be blasting out to an ampitheater of adoring fans either 😂

[@antonstefanov2146]

Back in the 60s when distortion wasn't very desirable in amp making, a lot of the amps from that era were linear volume amplifiers - that means there's no dsitrotion on any volume. Such amps are a great pedal platforms. With todays curcuit designs headroom is dependent on the wattage of the amp.

[@middle_pickup]

My local guitar shop had an eighty-five a short while ago. I kind of regret not picking it up. I figured it was only really useful if I was in a Radiohead cover band though. Still they're kind of cool.