Why Tom Morello Doesn’t Cut His Guitar Strings

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  • Опубликовано: 25 фев 2021
  • Tom Morello explains to Howard Stern why he holds his guitar so high and never cuts its strings.
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Комментарии • 355

  • @antiv
    @antiv 3 года назад +800

    That’s such a radical way to deny the gear hysteria, very zen.

    • @jasonhewitt9542
      @jasonhewitt9542 3 года назад +11

      This knowledge came to me right at the moment I needed to hear it. I feel the exact same way and have used the same guitar for almost 30 years lol

    • @GRequinBlanc
      @GRequinBlanc 3 года назад

      So true. Makes me think about my choices...

    • @eltoro969
      @eltoro969 3 года назад +2

      i remember listening to their debut and reading that he just used 2 ordinary pedals. blew my mind. still does.

  • @tomgajowski6263
    @tomgajowski6263 3 года назад +814

    "Stopped practicing scales and started practicing mistakes" why do I love that so much

    • @eltoro969
      @eltoro969 3 года назад +34

      There is a golden rule from the old school that you practice like a madman until you become good, then you throw everything you have learned away. That will slowly make you create your own sound. You can apply that to almost anything creative.

    • @Monomonmamon
      @Monomonmamon 3 года назад +6

      coming from a guitar teacher, that's something cool

    • @tafino
      @tafino 3 года назад +7

      Don’t agree with TM on many things, but I agree that he’s a musical genius. Case and point what you’ve stated

    • @haimshkolnik2092
      @haimshkolnik2092 3 года назад +5

      What is that mean "practicing mistakes"?

    • @spacebum
      @spacebum 3 года назад +10

      I don’t need any practice with mistakes. I’m perfect at them lol

  • @TheGgreen100
    @TheGgreen100 3 года назад +215

    For you non-guitar players out there, the Marshall JCM 800 that he plays is a badass amp. Don't think he's using junk. He doesn't use much but what he uses is good stuff.

  • @LeadersandLunatics
    @LeadersandLunatics 3 года назад +78

    I released a song a few weeks back and Tom liked it on Twitter. Literally one of my proudest moments.

  • @TheLeatheryman
    @TheLeatheryman 3 года назад +242

    I confess I haven’t been exposed to Tom Morello apart from his playing.. what a nice and articulate fucking guy!

  • @phyfts
    @phyfts 3 года назад +311

    That amp is an amazing one though, he's not playing junk

    • @ThorCarlton
      @ThorCarlton 3 года назад +56

      I was expecting some cheap, shitty amp and he points to a fucking JCM800 lol

    • @doknox
      @doknox 3 года назад +16

      Hes right though. I have hundred dollar guitars that when setup and adjusted properly play better than 1000 dollar fenders out of the box. I'd rather spend 100 and a few hours of work than 1000 and a couple hours of work anyway. You're just paying for a name and a lot of times that name means shit. If you are good no one cares that you have an off brand guitar. Slash played a fake gibson for like 25 yrs and then gibson made his signature guitar based off of the cheap fake guitar! That says it all.

    • @drakef4314
      @drakef4314 3 года назад +16

      To be fair he recorded many of RATM's hits on cheap ass Fender solid state amps too. Guerilla Radio was recorded on a thrift store Fender solid state with a $40 guitar from a pawn shop. Dude could give less of a shit tbh

  • @thirdmonkey
    @thirdmonkey 3 года назад +574

    I always thought the way Tom held his guitar was awesome

    • @mbirdmann1866
      @mbirdmann1866 3 года назад +7

      Right. I thought it was unique.

    • @ENigma-um8zw
      @ENigma-um8zw 3 года назад +6

      Same. I always kept my guitar strap a little extra high than was popular in the punk scene where it’s so low, but I love the tight holding posture too

    • @ZappayaZappayo
      @ZappayaZappayo 3 года назад

      agree

    • @evans3234
      @evans3234 3 года назад

      Yeah, his whole style is part of the reason I started playing guitar

    • @GodWeenSatan
      @GodWeenSatan 3 года назад +1

      I always thought that it would be comfortable holding it like that

  • @saintsataniko2116
    @saintsataniko2116 3 года назад +241

    I'm watching every clip of Tom hoping it will be longer because every single story is fascinating. Literally the only guitarist I have ever heard say "the equipment doesn't matter."

    • @bobabooey4537
      @bobabooey4537 3 года назад +10

      But it does matter. Why else has Tom used 3 pedals for 35 years? He shoulda said you don't have to go over the top with gear or that gear doesn't make you better.

    • @johnthemetalmailman2666
      @johnthemetalmailman2666 3 года назад +3

      The whole interview was like two hours and it was all great. His radio shows he does on sirius are fantastic as well

    • @bromidrosis3238
      @bromidrosis3238 3 года назад +2

      Then I’m guessing you haven’t listened to a lot of guitar plays speak...it’s never about your gear haha

    • @deadlyoneable
      @deadlyoneable 3 года назад

      He still has three more pedals than I use in the electric...but I get his point.

    • @kieronreilly6713
      @kieronreilly6713 3 года назад +1

      Kurt Cobain

  • @PjPerez
    @PjPerez 3 года назад +94

    "None of the gear matters" - can also apply this to every artform. Filmmaking. Illustration. Writing. So true.

    • @MustObeyTheRules
      @MustObeyTheRules 3 года назад +8

      Idk. True to an extent. I played crappy cheap acoustics for my first like 10 years of playing and was never inspired enough to try writing anything until I saved up for a guitar that I fell in love with and that graced my ears. After that, ideas just started pouring out and I couldn’t and still can’t put it down. Having an instrument you love is super inspiring.

    • @albertgein3082
      @albertgein3082 3 года назад

      Luckily- i have an advertisement for tom morello- signature very specifically designed guitar coming up next to celebrate how much he doesn't care what kinda guitar he plays 🤪

    • @Fire_Marshall_Bill
      @Fire_Marshall_Bill 3 года назад +1

      If you have halfway decent sound gear, a modern cell phone camera, and a shot for shot vision you can make some great videos. I am going to apply toms logic now in my guitar playing. Why did I never think about it the same way I think of film making?

    • @pathologicaldoubt
      @pathologicaldoubt 3 года назад +6

      That’s a bit of an exaggeration. Gear matters, but not that much

    • @mikeobrien6704
      @mikeobrien6704 3 года назад +1

      I go through that with photography. You have the gear heads. But the images come from the mind, eyes and soul. I can take a great image on my SLR or Samsung phone.

  • @thesadwolf
    @thesadwolf 3 года назад +26

    I saw Rage in 1996. Seriously one of the best live acts I've ever seen. SO TIGHT.

  • @poshwizard4216
    @poshwizard4216 3 года назад +45

    The way he talks about guitar and uses his guitar it’s truly inspiring

  • @quinnrollen
    @quinnrollen 3 года назад +326

    Finally, an actual guitar player who could give a shit less about equipment. Guys brilliant and bad ass.

    • @doknox
      @doknox 3 года назад +16

      Real guitar players know it's not the gear. It's the player!

  • @jimayers7461
    @jimayers7461 3 года назад +365

    I used to not cut my strings too. Then I poked my eye, then my bass player's eye, then my singer's eye. It doesn't make you any cooler to not cut them

    • @joooanit0224
      @joooanit0224 3 года назад +45

      But he's Tom Morello

    • @scottbrockman9743
      @scottbrockman9743 3 года назад +146

      You know what is cool? Spacial awareness.

    • @benc4968
      @benc4968 3 года назад +9

      @@scottbrockman9743 😭😭😭

    • @benc4968
      @benc4968 3 года назад +54

      Maybe the strings weren’t the problem James

    • @Benry1
      @Benry1 3 года назад +61

      Maybe not but having a band where everyone wears an eye patch absolutely makes you cooler

  • @chrisp9975
    @chrisp9975 3 года назад +73

    Tom is an absolute badass

  • @instinct3426
    @instinct3426 3 года назад +10

    This is why he is one of my favorite guitarists ever. He is a very unique and creative musician

  • @13christbane
    @13christbane 3 года назад +76

    Tom is a national treasure.

  • @gizmotv9320
    @gizmotv9320 3 года назад +3

    Absolute riffmaster. Love his work

  • @manicfoot
    @manicfoot 3 года назад +6

    I love Tom's gear philosophy. I definitely believe in the idea of creativity through limitation. Sometimes I apply that to writing songs. Like I'll have to write a song using only one finger on the fretboard, or by using certain chords.
    It really helps me a lot. Otherwise I think I'd be paralyzed by choice; noodling for hours without getting anything out of it.

  • @theonlyredspecial
    @theonlyredspecial 3 года назад +3

    Wow what a unique approach on gear and it really works for him. He is such a great orator as well. He has really inspired me listening to him. Absolutely brilliant !

  • @Rooster7six
    @Rooster7six 3 года назад +7

    Obsessing over the gear is half the fun of playing guitar!

  • @glennallen3400
    @glennallen3400 3 года назад +11

    That was such a great interview!

  • @jarrettfinney4882
    @jarrettfinney4882 3 года назад +20

    I’m so glad Howard asked this. I’ve been wondering forever. I hate it. Lol

  • @thatanti-egoguy
    @thatanti-egoguy 3 года назад +16

    Tom Morello has just been Eric Andre in disguise this whole time

  • @lroscinski5046
    @lroscinski5046 3 года назад +1

    By far still my favorite guitarist !!! YOU ROCK TOM !!!

  • @luisaucedo
    @luisaucedo 3 года назад +5

    This is such a well done interview

  • @sianspherica
    @sianspherica 3 года назад +1

    I've been wondering about the guitar strings thing for like 20 years. Glad I finally found out the reasoning!

  • @coachcleats13
    @coachcleats13 3 года назад +4

    I play mine up high like that too. BB King played his guitar up high also!1 Its the sound you produce we love forget about cool bro!!!

  • @zbraDEVOzbra
    @zbraDEVOzbra 3 года назад +7

    The way he plays with his guitar high is cool too. He's recognisable among others, and that what matters

  • @drjimmy73
    @drjimmy73 3 года назад

    Legend. Riff Master and as simplistically innovative as it gets.

  • @bretts7694
    @bretts7694 3 года назад

    Love this interview so much

  • @keetakitten
    @keetakitten 3 года назад

    Cheers to you Tom, you are an amazing person.

  • @tcore7
    @tcore7 3 года назад

    Tom is such as awesome guy! Wow! Great stories.

  • @thelizardking3882
    @thelizardking3882 3 года назад +1

    Legendary lol his guitar is so unmistakable. Most unique sound from a guitar.

  • @MJCGuitar
    @MJCGuitar 3 года назад +6

    The master of creativity👍🎸🌟

  • @utubeutube4761
    @utubeutube4761 3 года назад +13

    There is definitely something to simplicity & using what you got. using all the same stuff as everyone else and you end up sounding like everyone else.

    • @Rooster7six
      @Rooster7six 3 года назад +2

      lol in the 80s everyone used JCM 800’s so he was playing the same thing as everyone else.

  • @dirtydirtmcgogurt
    @dirtydirtmcgogurt 3 года назад

    I fully agree with this. I've been in position, several times through various hobbies etc, where I had a very, very small budget to work with. This caused me to truly figure out what I had and what I needed, and only would upgrade/buy new stuff if I felt that "not upgrading" was hurting my progression. Personally, I think this gave me the opportunity to be more creative with my current options, and know the things that I had, inside and out.
    As in, if you don't know EXACTLY why you want something, you actually might be better off working around the issue instead of buying your way out of it (in terms of creativity).

  • @djcj
    @djcj 3 года назад

    Awesome insight regarding gear. Love it!

  • @daveydavedave
    @daveydavedave 3 года назад +1

    Rebellion and firepower. Crazy key words these days but hats off to you and your talent tom

  • @AnonymousAccount514
    @AnonymousAccount514 3 года назад

    Awesome interview

  • @djjazzyjeff1232
    @djjazzyjeff1232 3 года назад +108

    Wait. He doesn't cut his strings because he was in the baddest band in town but doesn't wear his guitar low because he doesn't care about being cool. Isn't that like the ultimate contradiction?

    • @lucagarcia238
      @lucagarcia238 3 года назад +33

      I think he doesn't cut the strings BECAUSE he doesn't care about being cool

    • @mattmoves5920
      @mattmoves5920 3 года назад +1

      So what?

    • @subg8858
      @subg8858 3 года назад +12

      Inconsistency is the hallmark of genius

    • @sucktion
      @sucktion 3 года назад +13

      And he wrote “arm the homeless” on his guitar because he’s soooo provocative and rebellious. What an impressive guy.

  • @robingoods7880
    @robingoods7880 2 года назад

    Awesome artist .lov from germany

  • @Pazuzu158
    @Pazuzu158 3 года назад +1

    His road crew must love him keeping the gear so simple

  • @cadriver2570
    @cadriver2570 3 года назад

    Great interview!

  • @Jimfly30
    @Jimfly30 3 года назад

    What a great spokesman for his signature fender!

  • @ElfSixDave
    @ElfSixDave 3 года назад +2

    Wow, I love that. As a guitarist myself, I've always thought, how much difference doe's it actually make, what effects and pedals etc, you use. Its what you play that counts. Thanks Tom for making me feel a whole lot better about my playing my same old sound , that "I" like, not what I think people want to hear. Hope that makes sense.

  • @jasonsmith530
    @jasonsmith530 3 года назад +6

    Hats off to the guitar heroes

  • @cc_1983
    @cc_1983 3 года назад +1

    Amen to this! People who need all the gear and feel like you need a studio in the house 🏠 finding your own voice is more important

  • @spencer2745
    @spencer2745 3 года назад

    My favorite guitar player

  • @johnnykarate_SweepLeg
    @johnnykarate_SweepLeg 3 года назад +1

    I like that one of the best guitarists in the world just admitted that the most expensive and newest gear actually doesn't matter... optimizing what you have is what actually matters.

  • @thejoke2791
    @thejoke2791 3 года назад

    A true artist.

  • @javiersds8081
    @javiersds8081 3 года назад +43

    I've always held my guitar as high as Tom for exactly the same reason. If I held it lower, I would play way worse, because I wouldn't be able to reach the notes I want to reach.

    • @BOBANDVEG
      @BOBANDVEG 3 года назад +2

      Lol.....I spent too much time sitting practicing years ago. Got that bad boy chin strapped

    • @metalheadblues
      @metalheadblues 3 года назад +1

      I know a few guitarist who would benefit from playing with there guitar higher but guess they wanna look "cool"

    • @CharlieRootsMusic
      @CharlieRootsMusic 3 года назад

      Hurts my wrist if I wear it low and mutes strings from time to time.

    • @carvinblack
      @carvinblack 3 года назад +4

      If you watch most low players, they don't solo and just play the first 6 frets. Slash does both. Plays rhythm low and then angles his guitar up for solos.

    • @dereklong801
      @dereklong801 3 года назад +2

      He's absolutely right about wearing the guitar standing exactly as it is when sitting down. Otherwise, the guitar feels completely different trying to play standing up. It sounds trivial, but its not.

  • @rufiorufioo
    @rufiorufioo 3 года назад

    Love this dude.

  • @somewhereupthere
    @somewhereupthere 3 года назад

    Love this guitarist

  • @arronsimpson5250
    @arronsimpson5250 3 года назад

    Absolute legend 👌

  • @niftybman
    @niftybman 3 года назад +11

    If Howard think Tom holds his guitar high he should look up John Dwyer

  • @AndreideLosSantos
    @AndreideLosSantos 3 года назад

    Great artist

  • @pmorse3653
    @pmorse3653 3 года назад

    Tom is amazing

  • @bryanhicks5712
    @bryanhicks5712 3 года назад

    What a great mindset to have

  • @toddclark332
    @toddclark332 3 года назад +5

    Cool is when you can do it and nobody else can and he can do it that's all that matters hey Howard Robin have a beautiful day

  • @tayhollowpeake9226
    @tayhollowpeake9226 3 года назад

    the legend

  • @desimonenoah
    @desimonenoah 3 года назад +4

    I love how he says not to worry about gear yet he plays a jcm 800 lol

  • @oninjadaburaca
    @oninjadaburaca 3 года назад

    this was very instructive.

  • @serroche
    @serroche 3 года назад +2

    What he says in this video is way more important to musicians than a thousand lessons.

  • @ManuelMartinez09
    @ManuelMartinez09 3 года назад

    Solid arguments, you can agree or not but he is so right.

  • @grant5603
    @grant5603 3 года назад +1

    On the flip side I have heard him talk about how important their gear is - that one time when they were rehearsing on tour somewhere, their gear hadn’t arrived yet, so they used hire gear, and it just didn’t sound like Rage

  • @jorget.924
    @jorget.924 3 года назад

    Tom is the TRUTH!! 🤘🤘

  • @superorangeish
    @superorangeish 3 года назад

    What an articulate nice guy.

  • @12D_isME
    @12D_isME 3 года назад

    Mind Blown 🤯

  • @j42078
    @j42078 3 года назад

    This is amazing ❤

  • @CiscosDisco22
    @CiscosDisco22 3 года назад

    He is brilliant

  • @JaredChristensen-hd3vx
    @JaredChristensen-hd3vx 3 года назад

    The guitar does not matter. Right on. And love the way he relates the way he holds the guitar. Right on.

  • @dustcircle
    @dustcircle 3 года назад +2

    One of the most innovative guitarists since Jimi.

  • @joeybags7411
    @joeybags7411 3 года назад

    What a real ass dude 💯🔥

  • @hemarock_re-iniciamario1416
    @hemarock_re-iniciamario1416 3 года назад

    Tom es un guitarrista genial,las cuerdas largas hacen su estilo libre de perjuicios.

  • @rawsko0316
    @rawsko0316 3 года назад

    Morello is the man!!

  • @joepic85
    @joepic85 3 года назад

    Amazing

  • @danielgordon8698
    @danielgordon8698 3 года назад

    musical genius man. i am fascinated by people with god given musical talent as i have none. im jealous lol.

  • @martag.4594
    @martag.4594 3 года назад +3

    Tom Morello is a genius.

  • @jarrettfinney4882
    @jarrettfinney4882 3 года назад +2

    I don’t agree with a lot of his politics, but Tom has inspired me so much. If it weren’t for him, I’d probably still be trading my guitars off every month and not making any music. Plus he’s inspired me a lot to look for different ways to play the guitar and not just look at it as this thing you have to play this certain way and that’s it. Also, you don’t have to be the baddest shredder to make great music that connects with people. I put him on my mt. Rushmore for those reasons

  • @GodWeenSatan
    @GodWeenSatan 3 года назад +8

    He needs to do a full album with Les Claypool

    • @mickkluesner7056
      @mickkluesner7056 3 года назад +1

      That would be a quite interesting duo....perhaps throw Jack White in for a few songs

  • @henrikpersson4698
    @henrikpersson4698 3 года назад +3

    I always thought he was cool as fuck for keeping the guitar up high because it seemed like he didn't try so hard, which is really what cool is all about.

  • @Xxmeca421xX
    @Xxmeca421xX 3 года назад +1

    LOL. I did it because it looked cool too hahaha. I'm so glad he said that. Same with having the guitar the same height as when sitting and trying to find the sound in your head when starting out that never happens. Fack, I love hearing him talk about his method of creating.

  • @davi.mousinho
    @davi.mousinho 3 года назад

    The man

  • @biancalauren4981
    @biancalauren4981 3 года назад

    This is fascinating

  • @jts04
    @jts04 3 года назад

    love this

  • @rainman42
    @rainman42 3 года назад +2

    I play my guitar way to high too..and i know Tom does too...hes 1 of my fav guitarists but thats not why...its just like he said...comfort, just like sitting at home

  • @stephenparkes6476
    @stephenparkes6476 3 года назад

    I saw Tom at another roadside attraction in 96 or 7 and have since wondered about why

  • @hassaan561
    @hassaan561 3 года назад +5

    That was a great explanation. Obviously he has limitations now because he doesn’t experiment too much but it opens him up creatively. This is why I also hate electric guitars because it’s too complicated for me to set the guitar then set the amp then you have pedals.

    • @Xxmeca421xX
      @Xxmeca421xX 3 года назад

      An electric guitar just has metal poles wrapped in copper wire to pickup sound, and the tone knob for grounding high frequencies through a capacitor. It's really a simple instrument. A piano is more complex to me

    • @dereklong801
      @dereklong801 3 года назад

      Clapton made the best music of his career with nothing but a Strat and a cranked Marshall amp. You don't need all the crap.

    • @cmet8280
      @cmet8280 3 года назад

      @@dereklong801 Well you do need a strat and a marshall.

  • @artimusbill
    @artimusbill 3 года назад

    I have never hear or read an interview from Morello but this is amazing. I love his approach. Not that I could or would duplicate it, but it is awesome.

  • @paterson90
    @paterson90 3 года назад

    Love people that are super expiremental with music, especially guitar playing. Tom is one of my Hero's!

  • @joolliann
    @joolliann 3 года назад +2

    I don’t agree with Tom politically on some stuff but I can get behind a lot of what he says, man is a true legend

  • @fearxile
    @fearxile 3 года назад +1

    How crazy two guitar legends Tom Morello and Adam Jones went to the same high school.

  • @williamboyle8918
    @williamboyle8918 3 года назад

    Pretty cool. Have not met many, or any not into gear.

  • @themotocrossmodchannelWulfMX
    @themotocrossmodchannelWulfMX 3 года назад

    In the late 80's I got a chance to run sound for his band at a local beach joint called the Ocean Mist in East Matunuk RI. The band was called "Lockup", (right before RATM), and he is telling the truth about his gear. He had his blue charvel, a jcm800 and 4x12 cab, and a few pedals. He was amazing and I was blown away at the style he and the band had. They were funk/hard rock, very different. He was changing his strings on stage before the show and left them dangling lol. He is very articulate and intelligent, he has a very nice soft touch to his playing as well. Thanks for the great video snippet!!

  • @ST-xg3gy
    @ST-xg3gy 3 года назад

    Tom is perfect for radio.

  • @josephmama9657
    @josephmama9657 3 года назад

    Tom you are a baaad baaad man. 🤘🏽

  • @PotatoJonson
    @PotatoJonson 3 года назад +3

    “And finally Tom Morello’s Puppy Podcast on Sirius XM.”

  • @accidentallyfasting5768
    @accidentallyfasting5768 3 года назад

    I play bass with mine high like that too. It's sooooo much easier to play better. I went thru the low hanging bass when I was young and am so glad I switched.

  • @MillennialBro
    @MillennialBro 3 года назад +40

    Sounds like Seth Macfarlane a little bit haha

    • @Magooch86
      @Magooch86 3 года назад +1

      Yes, also Binging With Babish 😂

    • @TomCockring
      @TomCockring 3 года назад +2

      More like Eric Andre imo

  • @Laststopny2741
    @Laststopny2741 3 года назад

    Tom Morello is the man!!