GuitarDistortedSolo
Killing in the name of rage against the machine Guitar Tone Settings
Unknown Artist · 1990s · rock
studio
Original Recording
Guitar
1982 Fender American Telecaster
Pickups
Fender single-coil (stock Telecaster neck pickup)
Amp
Marshall JCM800 2205 50-watt head with Marshall 1960A 4x12 cabinet
Pickup Position
Neck pickup
Studio recording, 1991-1992. Used exclusively for drop D songs including 'Killing in the Name' solo. Guitar always on neck pickup, bridge pickup volume set to zero for kill-switch effect. No evidence of alternate guitars or amps for the solo section.
Amp Settings
Mids6.5
Bass6
Gain7
Reverb0.5
Treble7
Presence6
Effects Chain
- DigiTech Whammy WH-1 · modulation
- Boss DD-2 Digital Delay · delay
Telecaster (neck pickup, volume/tone on 10) → DigiTech Whammy WH-1 → Boss DD-2 Digital Delay → Marshall JCM800 2205 head → Marshall 1960A 4x12 cabinet
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Tone Character
- aggressive and saturated
- warm neck pickup fullness
- tight and percussive attack
- pronounced octave jumps
- minimal ambience (very dry)
- crisp note separation
- modern, processed solo sound
- dynamic pick attack
- slightly compressed
- cutting midrange presence
Sources
- Tom Morello's Guitar Gear, Pedalboard & Amps | Equipboard
- Instruments of Rage: Tom Morello's Guitars and Gear Explained
- HOW TO SOUND LIKE YOUR HEROES - Tom Morello - Guitar World
- Tom Morello's 'The Atlas Underground' - Premier Guitar
- [NEWBIE] Trying to learn the "killing in the name of" guitar solo ...
- killing in the name of tone : r/GuitarAmps - Reddit