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lead guitar from “bulls on parade” by rage against the machine | ToneDB

bulls on parade

rage against the machine

lead guitar

AI generatedv1.0

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.

Gear

Fender Stratocasterinstrument
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Marshall JCM800amp
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Shure SM57microphone
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Dunlop Cry Baby Wahprocessing
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Pro Co RATprocessing
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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 Stratocaster

Amp: Marshall JCM800

Microphone: Shure SM57

Processing: Dunlop Cry Baby Wah, Pro Co RAT

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

  • Fender Stratocaster(guitar)
  • Marshall JCM800(amp)
  • Shure SM57(mic)
  • Dunlop Cry Baby Wah(pedal)
  • Pro Co RAT(pedal)

Substitutions & Recommendations

Wampler Sovereign Distortion$180-$200

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

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Marshall Studio Classic SC20H$800-$900

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

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Dunlop GCB95 Cry Baby Wah$80-$100

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

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Neural DSP Archetype Tom Morello$100-$120

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

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Squier Classic Vibe '70s Stratocaster$400-$450

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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Sources

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