GuitarDistortedRiff
Killing in the name of rage against the machine Guitar Tone Settings
Unknown Artist · 1990s · rock
studio
Original Recording
Guitar
1982 Fender American Telecaster (black, with stickers, stock pickups, drop D tuning)
Pickups
Fender single-coil (stock Telecaster neck pickup, always used for this riff)
Amp
Marshall JCM800 2205 head with Peavey 4x12 cabinet
Pickup Position
Neck pickup
Studio recording, 1991-1992, Rage Against the Machine debut album. Guitar is always in neck pickup position for all drop D songs including 'Killing in the Name'. No evidence of alternate guitars or amps for this section. No evidence of effects loop or amp-based effects used.
Amp Settings
Mids6.5
Bass6
Gain7.5
Reverb0
Treble7
Presence6
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Tone Character
- warm neck pickup tone
- tight and percussive attack
- punchy, mid-forward sound
- raw, unprocessed distortion
- aggressive and dynamic
- British crunch
- articulate note separation
- minimal effects coloration
- singing sustain
- heavy, driving riff
Sources
- Tom Morello's Guitar Gear, Pedalboard & Amps | Equipboard
- Instruments of Rage: Tom Morello's Guitars and Gear Explained
- Tom Morello's guitar rig is now a Neural DSP plugin
- HOW TO SOUND LIKE YOUR HEROES - Tom Morello - Guitar World
- Rage Against The Machine - Gear & Equipment Used on the Album
- Tom Morello's 'The Atlas Underground' - Premier Guitar