Artists / Rage Against the Machine

The Battle of Mexico City (Live) artwork

Know Your Enemy guitar tone

Rage Against the Machine · The Battle of Mexico City (Live) · 1992 · Funk Rock

High Gain

Main Riff

AmpMarshall JCM800
GuitarFender Telecaster
PickupBridge single-coil
GAIN8.5
BASS6
MID4.5
TREBLE5.5
PRESENCE6.5
REVERB0

SIGNAL CHAIN

  1. Maxon OD808 boost
    Drive 1 · Tone 4.5 · Level 7.5
    Tightening boost in front of the high-gain channel.

Tight, all-downstroke picking keeps the riff aggressive.

Lead

Solo Boost

AmpMarshall JCM800
GuitarFender Telecaster
PickupBridge single-coil
GAIN9.5
BASS6
MID5
TREBLE5.5
PRESENCE6.5
REVERB0

SIGNAL CHAIN

  1. Maxon OD808 boost
    Drive 1 · Tone 4.5 · Level 7.5
    Tightening boost in front of the high-gain channel.
  2. MXR Carbon Copy delay
    Time 4 · Repeats 3 · Mix 3
    Kicks in for the solo — repeats tucked under the dry signal.

Lead variant: extra gain and mids to cut through, delay for width. Pick nearer the bridge and let bends sustain.

These are starting points, not gospel. Every amp is a little different, so let your ears do the last 10%.

Open in ToneAmp

Adapt this tone to your own amp and pedals in the app.

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