Tom Morello Amp Settings
EQ dial positions, gain structure, and how to replicate the sound on any amp
Marshall JCM800 2205 — Dial Settings
Sourced8
Gain6
Bass6
Mid7
Treble8
PresenceMarshall JCM800 2205 (RATM era). Gain moderate — Tom's sonic experimentation happens via pedals (Digitech Whammy, Morley wah, killswitch), not extreme amp EQ. Presence up for cutting through dense band mix.
All values on a 0–10 scale. Adjust by ear — room acoustics and specific amp variants affect the exact position.
Choosing the Right Amp
british crunchMarshall Plexi, JCM800, Vox AC — mid-forward crunch. Let the amp drive the tone.
Amp at Every Budget
Getting the Most From Your Amp
- Use the amp's own drive channel rather than stacking too many pedals —Tom Morello's tone benefits from amp-driven saturation.
- Don't scoop the mids. Tom Morello's mid-forward voicing is essential to cut through the mix.
- Master volume matters — many classic tones only work at significant volume when tubes are working hard.