lead guitar from “bulls on parade” by rage against the machine | ToneDB
bulls on parade
rage against the machine
lead guitar
Tone Profile
Aggressive and unconventional, this tone features a blend of fuzz and wah pedal effects to create a unique, almost synth-like guitar sound. It's characterized by its heavy distortion and expressive use of the wah pedal.
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The Story
Tom Morello's lead guitar sound on "Bulls on Parade" was built around a Fender Stratocaster through a Marshall JCM800, with a Pro Co RAT distortion pedal for extra saturation and a Dunlop Cry Baby wah pedal for the distinctive sweeping effects. The track was recorded at Southern Tracks Recording in Atlanta with producer Brendan O'Brien and engineer Nick DiDia, likely using a Shure SM57 close-mic technique to capture the raw energy of the overdriven Marshall stack.
Production Credits
Producer: Brendan O'Brien
Engineer: Nick DiDia
Recorded at: Southern Tracks Recording (Atlanta, GA)
Signal Chain
Instrument: Fender StratocasterShop on Reverb
Amp: Marshall JCM800Shop on Reverb
Microphone: Shure SM57Shop on Reverb
Processing: Dunlop Cry Baby WahShop on Reverb, Pro Co RATShop on Reverb
Recreation Tips
- Start with a Stratocaster-style guitar and dial in a high-gain tone on a Marshall-style amplifier.
- Place a Pro Co RAT distortion pedal before the amp to add extra saturation and sustain.
- Experiment with the Dunlop Cry Baby Wah pedal, focusing on smooth, vocal-like sweeps to mimic the original sound.
- Consider using a slightly scooped EQ setting to emphasize the clarity of the guitar in the mix.
- Record multiple takes and pan them slightly to create a wider, more immersive sound.
Original Gear
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Substitutions & Recommendations
Alternative to: Pro Co RAT distortion pedal
Provides the aggressive, saturated distortion character of the RAT with modern reliability and tonal flexibility for that chunky, sustained lead tone
Alternative to: Marshall JCM800 amplifier
20-watt version of the JCM800 circuit that delivers the same aggressive midrange bark and natural tube overdrive at manageable volumes
Alternative to: Dunlop Cry Baby Wah
The same model Morello used, still in production and essential for those signature vocal-like sweep effects throughout the song
Alternative to: Pro Co RAT distortion pedal
Official Tom Morello plugin that accurately models his RAT pedal tone along with his other signature effects for authentic Bulls on Parade sounds
Alternative to: Fender Stratocaster guitar
Budget-friendly Strat with the single-coil pickup clarity and attack needed for Morello's percussive playing style and wah effects
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