How to Get the Tom Morello Rage Against the Machine Tone
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Tom Morello turned the guitar into a machine — aggressive riffs and wild, DJ-like effects. Here's how to get his RATM tone.
The key ingredients
- Guitar: a stripped-down superstrat, famously marked 'Arm the Homeless'.
- Amp: a Marshall JCM800 for tight, mid-heavy crunch.
- Effects: wah (often as a filter), a Whammy pedal for octave dives, and a kill switch for stutter riffs.
- Attitude: tight, percussive riffing is half the tone.
The fastest way
Load ready rock guitar presets for Kemper, Helix, Quad Cortex, ToneX and more — JCM800 grind with the effects ready.
FAQ
What amp does Tom Morello use? A Marshall JCM800 is the backbone of his tone.
Which pedal makes his solo squeals? A DigiTech Whammy for the octave-up dives.