Tom Morello's approach to guitar is unlike anyone else: he uses a simple rig — Les Paul, Marshall JCM800, Whammy pedal, and wah — but manipulates them in unconventional ways to create sounds that resemble turntables, synthesizers, and samples. On Killing in the Name, the core rhythm tone is a Les Paul through a cranked JCM800 for aggressive, tight palm-muted riffs. The Whammy and wah are used for the song's iconic solos and DJ-like scratching effects.