🎸 Artist tone guide

How to get Rage Against the Machine's guitar tone

Rage Against the Machine across 3 famous tones — mostly through Marshall JCM800 2205 50-Watt Head into Peavey 4x12 cabinet, Marshall JCM800 2205, Marshall / Peavey, with single-coils. Here is where to start, then adapt any of it to the guitar and amp you actually own.

Starting point (averaged): gain 7.5 · bass 6.5 · mid 6.5 · treble 6.5 · presence 6 (out of 10)
🎛️ Get Rage Against the Machine's tones on YOUR rig — free →

Rage Against the Machine's go-to amps

Marshall JCM800 2205 50-Watt Head into Peavey 4x12 cabinet ×1Marshall JCM800 2205 ×1Marshall / Peavey ×1

Rage Against the Machine's tuning & guitars

Tuning: A mix of E standard and Drop D — Killing in the Name, Freedom and Testify all use Drop D — the tuning behind the band’s heaviest grooves.
Guitars: Tom Morello’s ‘Arm the Homeless’ custom and an unmodified Fender Telecaster for the Drop D songs.

Tune to match with our free tuning chart, then dial any tone below in on your own amp — GuitarToneAdapt handles the rest, free.

3 famous Rage Against the Machine tones

Bulls On Parade (Live In Mexico City, MX, 10/28/99)
gain 8 · bass 6 · mid 7 · treble 7
Killing in the Name
gain 8 · bass 7 · mid 7 · treble 7
Bulls on Parade
gain 6 · bass 6 · mid 6 · treble 6

Rock amp settings

Rage Against the Machine is a rock staple. See the best amp settings for rock — averaged EQ, go-to amps and a full how-to.

Similar artists

Pink FloydNirvanaAlice in ChainsGuns N' RosesBon JoviMy Chemical RomanceThe BeatlesVan Halen

How to get Rage Against the Machine's tone — FAQ

What tuning does Rage Against the Machine use?

A mix of E standard and Drop D — Killing in the Name, Freedom and Testify all use Drop D — the tuning behind the band’s heaviest grooves. Tom Morello’s ‘Arm the Homeless’ custom and an unmodified Fender Telecaster for the Drop D songs.

What amp settings does Rage Against the Machine use?

Averaged across 3 of their tones: gain 7.5, bass 6.5, mid 6.5, treble 6.5, presence 6 (out of 10). Adapt to your own amp.

What gear do I need to sound like Rage Against the Machine?

They favour Marshall JCM800 2205 50-Watt Head into Peavey 4x12 cabinet, Marshall JCM800 2205, Marshall / Peavey with single-coils. You do not need the exact rig — GuitarToneAdapt re-dials their tones for the guitar and amp you already own, free.

How do I get Rage Against the Machine's guitar tone?

Start with their go-to gear (Marshall JCM800 2205 50-Watt Head into Peavey 4x12 cabinet, Marshall JCM800 2205, Marshall / Peavey and single-coils) and a starting EQ of gain 7.5, bass 6.5, mid 6.5, treble 6.5, presence 6 (out of 10), then dial in any of the 3 songs below. GuitarToneAdapt adapts each one to the exact amp and guitar you own, free.

Can I get Rage Against the Machine's tone on a different amp or guitar?

Yes. You do not need their exact rig — GuitarToneAdapt models how their gear shapes the sound and compensates for whatever amp, guitar and pedals you already have, free in the browser.

Settings are community-researched estimates. Adapt any to your gear at GuitarToneAdapt · amp settings · tuning chart · all 1,200+ tones.