lead guitar from “killing in the name” by rage against the machine | ToneDB
killing in the name
rage against the machine
lead guitar
Tone Profile
Aggressive and distorted with a wah pedal creating a dynamic, vocal-like quality. The tone is characterized by its high gain, scooped mids, and pronounced high-end.
Shop This Rig
ToneDB may earn a commission from purchases made through these links.
The Story
Tom Morello's lead guitar tone on "Killing in the Name" was recorded at Sound City Studios using his signature Fender Telecaster through a Peavey 5150 amplifier. The chain includes a Dunlop Cry Baby wah pedal, which creates the signature vocal-like sweeps throughout the track. The amp was set with high gain and scooped mids, captured with a close-mic'd Shure SM57.
Production Credits
Producer: Garth Richardson
Engineer: Stan Katayama
Recorded at: Sound City Studios, Van Nuys, CA
Signal Chain
Instrument: Fender TelecasterShop on Reverb
Amp: Peavey 5150Shop on Reverb
Microphone: Shure SM57Shop on Reverb
Processing: Dunlop Cry Baby WahShop on Reverb
Recreation Tips
- Start with a Fender Telecaster for its bright and cutting tone.
- Use a high-gain amplifier like the Peavey 5150 or a similar amp model with the gain set high.
- Scoop the mids on the amp's EQ to create a more aggressive and modern sound.
- Engage a wah pedal and experiment with different sweep positions to find the sweet spots that mimic the vocal-like quality.
- Place a Shure SM57 close to the speaker cone to capture the direct sound of the amp.
Original Gear
ToneDB may earn a commission from purchases made through these links.
Substitutions & Recommendations
Alternative to: Peavey 5150
Direct evolution of Morello's original 5150 with the same high-gain character and aggressive midrange scoop capability
Alternative to: Peavey 5150
Brown channel delivers similar high-gain saturation with EQ flexibility for achieving the scooped mid sound on a budget
Alternative to: Dunlop Cry Baby Wah
Uses vintage Fasel inductors for the classic vocal-like wah sweep that defined 90s alternative rock tones
Alternative to: Peavey 5150
Captures modern high-gain amp tones with precise EQ control for dialing in the aggressive, scooped character
Alternative to: Fender Telecaster
Provides the bright, cutting single-coil tone essential for piercing through high-gain settings like Morello's Telecaster
Frequently Asked Questions
Community Insights
No community insights yet. Be the first to contribute!