Song Rig
Killing in the Name
Tom Morello · Rage Against the Machine · 1992
Tone Overview
What Makes This Sound Unique
The heaviest funk-metal guitar tone ever recorded — a heavy-gauge string Whammy pedal running into a Marshall with a killswitch built into the guitar. The rhythmic muting creates the locked-in groove; the Whammy adds alien harmonic content.
Signal Chain
- 1Arm the Homeless custom guitar (kill switch, Floyd Rose)
- 2DigiTech Whammy WH-1
- 3Marshall JCM800 (cranked)
- 4DOD FX40B graphic EQ (mid boost)
Amp Settings
Mid boost from the graphic EQ gives the heavy riff its cutting, aggressive character. The JCM800 provides the gain platform; the DOD EQ shapes the frequencies. High mids, controlled treble.
Technique
How to Play It
The kill switch (momentarily cutting signal to create stutter rhythms) is central to Morello's style — install on any guitar with a toggle switch wired to cut the signal completely when engaged.
Budget Alternative
Achievable With
Any humbucker guitar + Boss XT-2 or RAT distortion + Boss GE-7 EQ (mid boost at 800Hz) + DigiTech Whammy. Kill switch effects can be approximated with a volume pedal set to click fully off.
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