Tom Morello
Quick Facts
Signature Pick
DUNLOP TORTEX® STANDARD
Tom Morello uses Dunlop Tortex Standard picks in the orange 0.60mm gauge. The thinner, more flexible pick helps him execute his scratching techniques and unconventional sounds with precision.
Why This Pick?
Morello's choice of a thin 0.60mm pick is unusual for a hard rock guitarist, but it's central to his unorthodox techniques. The flexibility of a thin pick allows him to produce the scratchy, DJ-like sounds he creates by rubbing the pick across muted strings. It also bends easily for his toggle-switch kill effects and feedback manipulation. Where most metal guitarists need stiffness, Morello needs a pick that can flex and flap — turning a simple piece of Delrin into a sound-design tool.
About Tom Morello
Tom Morello revolutionized rock guitar with his DJ-inspired techniques and unconventional approach. As the guitarist for Rage Against the Machine and Audioslave, he created sounds that seemed impossible for a guitar to make.
His arsenal of techniques includes toggle-switch killswitch effects, feedback manipulation, scratching with the pick, and creative use of the whammy pedal. Tracks like "Killing in the Name," "Bulls on Parade," and "Cochise" showcase his innovative style.
Despite his experimental approach, Morello's gear is surprisingly simple. The Tortex picks provide the durability and consistency needed for his aggressive playing style and unconventional techniques.