Tom Morello's Pedalboard
Morello treats the guitar like a turntable, a synthesizer, and a weapon. His unconventional techniques — toggle switch kills, feedback manipulation, and creative effects routing — made Rage Against the Machine one of the most sonically inventive bands in rock.
Signature Sound
DJ-like scratching effects via toggle switch, screaming wah solos, heavy dropped-D riffs with minimal effects but maximum impact.
Famous Songs
Every Pedal on the Board
Our Pick — Affordable Alternative
“Essential for Morello's aggressive, screaming lead tones”
Our Pick — Affordable Alternative
“Pitch-shifting for those wild, otherworldly sounds — POG2 covers octave territory”
Our Pick — Affordable Alternative
“Delay for spacey textures and rhythmic patterns”
Our Pick — Affordable Alternative
MXR Phase 90
$89
“Sweeping phaser on clean sections”
Our Pick — Affordable Alternative
“Tone shaping for different guitar/amp combinations”
Total Rig Cost (affordable alternatives)
$755
More Famous Pedalboards
Frequently Asked Questions
What pedals does Tom Morello use?
Tom Morello is known for using Dunlop Cry Baby Wah, DigiTech Whammy, Boss DD-3 Delay, MXR Phase 90, among others. See the full breakdown above with affordable alternatives.
How much does Tom Morello's pedalboard cost to recreate?
Recreating Tom Morello's rig with affordable alternatives costs around $755. The original pedals — especially vintage or signature models — can cost significantly more.
Can I get Tom Morello's tone on a budget?
Yes — each pedal above includes an affordable "Our Pick" alternative that captures the essential character of Tom Morello's sound. Focus on the 2-3 most important pedals first.
What amp does Tom Morello use?
Tom Morello's amp is a crucial part of their tone. While we focus on pedals here, check our signal chain guide for how pedal order affects your amp interaction.