Tom Morello - Guitar Setup & Tunings
Rage Against the Machine
Quick Facts
- Primary Tuning
- Drop D
- String Gauge
- .010-.046
- String Brand
- Ernie Ball
- Genre
- Grunge / Alternative Rock
About Tom Morello's Sound
Thomas Baptist Morello (born 1964) redefined what the electric guitar could do in Rage Against the Machine. A Harvard political science graduate, Morello created DJ-like scratching, turntable effects, and electronic sounds using only a guitar, amp, and pedals - no samples. His arsenal of unconventional techniques (using the toggle switch, rubbing cables against pickups, feedback manipulation) influenced hip-hop producers and guitarists alike. After RATM, he co-founded Audioslave and Prophets of Rage. A vocal activist, Morello has used music as political protest throughout his career.
Tunings Used
Drop D - 8 songs
- Killing in the NameTry this tuning →
- Bulls on ParadeTry this tuning →
- Guerrilla RadioTry this tuning →
- BombtrackTry this tuning →
- Know Your EnemyTry this tuning →
- Sleep Now in the FireTry this tuning →
- TestifyTry this tuning →
- Wake UpTry this tuning →
String Setup
Primary Strings
Ernie Ball
.010-.046
Why Tom Morello uses these
Morello's famous 'Arm the Homeless' guitar (a custom parts Stratocaster) and his signature 'Soul Power' Telecaster are both set up with standard .010-.046 strings in Drop D. His innovations come from technique and pedals, not specialized setups. The Digitech Whammy pedal is essential to his sound, creating synth-like pitch shifts. Morello's approach proves that radical sounds can come from conventional equipment used unconventionally. His killswitch (toggle switch) technique creates rhythmic stuttering effects. The story goes that 'Killing in the Name''s riff was invented while teaching a student Drop D tuning.