Riff Tone
Fistful Of Steel
Rage Against the Machine
Guitarrock1990s
Original Gear
GuitarCustom 'Arm The Homeless' Electric Guitar
AmpMarshall JCM800 2205 50-Watt Amplifier Head
PickupsEMG single-coil in neck (disguised as humbucker), EMG humbucker in bridge
Amp Settings
gain7
bass6
mid7
treble7
reverb0
presence6.5
Effects & Signal Chain
modulationDigiTech DigiTech Whammy (original WH-1)
distortionMXR MXR M104 Distortion+
Notes
Studio recording, 1992. Guitar is Tom Morello's main custom instrument for the debut album. Pickup selection for riff is likely neck (see source 7 for neck pickup's role in riff tone).
Tone Character(10)
tight and percussivemotorized, modulated octave sweepsraw and aggressivepunchy attackgritty distortionarticulate muted pickingunconventional, experimental effectsmid-forward presencedynamic response to pickingminimal ambience (dry studio sound)
Difficulty
The riff requires advanced right-hand tremolo picking, precise muting, and real-time coordination with the Whammy pedal for octave sweeps, making it challenging for most players.
Sources
Fistful Of Steel Tabs by Rage Against The MachineRage Against the Machine Members, Gear & Sound | EquipboardThe story of Tom Morello's Arm the Homeless & Fender replicaTom Morello’s guitar rig is now a Neural DSP plugin – watch the Rage Against the Machine firebrand demo his signature software… with a wrench | Guitar World
Create an account to adapt this tone to your gear
Create Free AccountGuitarrock1990s
Original Gear
GuitarCustom 'Arm The Homeless' Electric Guitar
AmpMarshall JCM800 2205 50-Watt Amplifier Head
PickupsEMG single-coil in neck (disguised as humbucker), EMG humbucker in bridge
Amp Settings
gain7
bass6
mid7
treble7
reverb0
presence6.5
Effects & Signal Chain
modulationDigiTech DigiTech Whammy (original WH-1)
distortionMXR MXR M104 Distortion+
Sources
Fistful Of Steel Tabs by Rage Against The MachineRage Against the Machine Members, Gear & Sound | EquipboardThe story of Tom Morello's Arm the Homeless & Fender replicaTom Morello’s guitar rig is now a Neural DSP plugin – watch the Rage Against the Machine firebrand demo his signature software… with a wrench | Guitar World
Notes
Studio recording, 1992. Guitar is Tom Morello's main custom instrument for the debut album. Pickup selection for riff is likely neck (see source 7 for neck pickup's role in riff tone).
Tone Character(10)
tight and percussivemotorized, modulated octave sweepsraw and aggressivepunchy attackgritty distortionarticulate muted pickingunconventional, experimental effectsmid-forward presencedynamic response to pickingminimal ambience (dry studio sound)
Difficulty
The riff requires advanced right-hand tremolo picking, precise muting, and real-time coordination with the Whammy pedal for octave sweeps, making it challenging for most players.
Fistful Of Steel settings for your amp
Exact settings ToneAdapt players use on these amps.
More Rage Against the Machine tones
- Killing in the Name (Live at 2000 Democratic National Convention) · riff
- Killing In the Name (Live In Mexico City, MX, 10/28/99) · riff
- Killing in the Name (Live at 2000 Democratic National Convention) · solo
- Freedom · riff
- Wake Up · riff
- Killing in the Name · solo
- Sleep Now In the Fire · riff
- Bulls On Parade (Live In Mexico City, MX, 10/28/99) · riff
- Killing in the Name · riff
- Killing In the Name · riff