TONEDB

lead guitar from “cochise” by audioslave | ToneDB

cochise

audioslave

lead guitar

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Tone Profile

An aggressive, cutting, and articulate high-gain Marshall tone, famously manipulated with a DigiTech Whammy for distinctive pitch-shifting helicopter effects and soaring octave leads, often combined with a Dunlop Cry Baby wah.

Signal Chain

Instrument: Fender 'Soul Power' Stratocaster (modified Aerodyne Jazz Bass body/neck, Seymour Duncan Hot Rails bridge, Fender Noiseless neck/middle, killswitch) or similar custom guitar like 'Arm The Homeless'.

Amp: Marshall JCM800 2205 (50W head) through a Peavey 4x12 cabinet with Celestion G12K-85 speakers.

Microphone: Shure SM57 (likely, possibly blended with a Sennheiser MD421 or a ribbon microphone).

Processing: Dunlop GCB95 Cry Baby Wah, DigiTech WH-1 Whammy (or modern equivalent like WH-4 / V / DT), DOD FX40B Equalizer, Boss DD-3 Digital Delay (or DD-2), MXR Phase 90

Other: Signal path: Guitar -> Wah -> Whammy -> EQ -> Amp Input. Delay and Phase 90 are placed in the amp's FX loop. The 'helicopter' sound primarily uses the Whammy, killswitch, and delay. The solo prominently features the wah and Whammy for pitch effects.

Recording Notes

  • Tom Morello's sound is heavily reliant on his unique use of specific pedals in conjunction with a high-gain tube amp.
  • The Marshall JCM800 2205 (boost channel) is central to his core distorted tone.
  • The Peavey 4x12 cabinet with Celestion G12K-85 speakers provides a tight and articulate sound.
  • Miking would likely involve dynamic microphones like the SM57 close to the speaker cone, potentially capturing different speaker characteristics or blended with other mics.
  • The effects are integral to the performance, not heavily reliant on post-production manipulation for the core character.

Recreation Tips

  • For the intro 'helicopter' sound: Use a DigiTech Whammy set to +2 Octaves Pitch Bend. Tremolo pick a muted string or single note while quickly rocking the Whammy's expression pedal from heel to toe. Simultaneously use the guitar's killswitch rhythmically to create a stuttering effect. A delay pedal (e.g., Boss DD-3, around 300-400ms, single prominent repeat, mix level high) enhances the effect.
  • For the solo: Engage the Dunlop Cry Baby wah for expressive tonal sweeps. Utilize the DigiTech Whammy for octave-up jumps (+1 Octave Harmony or Pitch Bend) or dramatic dive bomb effects (-2 Octaves Pitch Bend).
  • Set the Marshall JCM800 (or similar high-gain British amp) with gain around 7-9, Bass 4-6, Middle 6-8, Treble 6-8, Presence 5-7. The DOD EQ can be used as a clean boost or to fine-tune frequencies, often boosting mids.
  • Ensure the delay and any modulation (like the MXR Phase 90, used subtly if at all on this track for lead) are in the amp's effects loop for clarity when using amp distortion.
  • A guitar with a bridge humbucker (like the Seymour Duncan Hot Rails in his Strat) or a hot single-coil will help achieve the necessary sustain and output to drive the amp and effects.

Sources