Solo Tone

Wake Up

Rage Against the Machine

Guitarrock1990s

Original Gear

GuitarArm The Homeless custom (Tom Morello's main guitar, custom body, EMG pickups, Floyd Rose tremolo)

AmpMarshall JCM800 2205 head into Peavey 4x12 cabinet (Celestion G12T-75 speakers)

PickupsEMG 81 (bridge), EMG 85 (neck) active humbuckers

Amp Settings

gain7.5

bass5.5

mid7

treble7

reverb0

presence6.5

Effects & Signal Chain

modulationDigiTech DigiTech WH-1 Whammy

wahDunlop Dunlop GCB95 Cry Baby Wah

delayBoss Boss DD-2 Digital Delay

Notes

Studio recording, 1991-1992, as used on the debut Rage Against the Machine album. No evidence of alternate guitars or amps for the solo section. Effects are from pedalboard, not amp. Settings estimated based on era, genre, and known rig. No direct studio knob settings found.

Tone Character(10)

aggressive and saturatedpronounced wah sweepoctave-shifting pitch effectsclear, rhythmic delay repeatstight and focused attacksinging sustainpercussive and expressivemodern alternative metal solo soundcutting midrange presencedynamic response to picking

Difficulty

The solo requires advanced coordination between hands and feet to manipulate the wah and Whammy simultaneously, as well as precise timing and expressive phrasing to match Morello's unique style.

Sources

Rage Against the Machine's Tom Morello Guitar Rig Rundown Gear Tour - Premier Guitar Tom Morello's Guitar Gear, Pedalboard & Amps | Equipboard How to play "Wake up" by Rage against the Machine on ... - YouTube Tom Morello: "I've been accused countless times of using a ton of effects - but I've used the same four pedals for the last 30 years" | MusicRadar

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