Fender Musical Instruments Corporation (FMIC) presents Tom Morello’s “Arm The Homeless” guitar, an instrument that faithfully recreates one of the most distinctive and influential guitars in rock history. This limited-edition launch serves as a deeply personal project for Morello, with Fender providing the craftsmanship, platform, and expertise to realize his vision.
Through Tom Morello’s “Arm The Homeless” guitar, fans can experience the guitar that powered anthems from Rage Against the Machine, Audioslave, and Prophets of Rage, celebrating Morello’s individuality and decades-long dedication to his craft.
“The ‘Arm the Homeless’ guitar has been my comrade for life in the sonic sphere. It allowed me to find myself as an artist,” said Tom Morello. “Over 22 albums and in countless collaborations ‘Arm the Homeless’ has been an indispensable ally. I know that there’s a lot of magic that this very special ‘island of misfit toys’ guitar has brought into my life and hopefully some of that can be brought into yours.”
The story of the original “Arm The Homeless” guitar is one of grit, experimentation, and relentless ‘DIY’ creativity. What began as a one-of-a-kind, heavily customized build assembled from mismatched parts became an extension of Morello’s voice and vision. The guitar’s hand-drawn hippos, bold “Arm The Homeless” lettering, and unconventional hardware reflected his refusal to conform, both visually and sonically. Its eccentric design channeled everything from delicate jazz passages to blistering rock riffs, becoming an essential companion in shaping the sound of a generation of boundary-pushing music.
To recreate this legendary instrument, Fender worked side-by-side with Morello to faithfully reproduce every nuance of the original, from its distinctive body shape and color scheme to its custom electronics and untrimmed strings on the headstock. Fender’s product team approached each element with the same precision and passion that has defined Morello’s playing style throughout the years. The result is a guitar that perfectly balances modern craftsmanship, offering the same expressive range and tonal versatility that have made the original “Arm The Homeless” guitar a cornerstone of Morello’s artistry.
A portion of proceeds will benefit Midnight Mission and Covenant House, two local Los Angeles organizations hand-picked by Morello for their dedication to providing shelter and dignity to people experiencing homelessness. The project embodies Morello’s lifelong activism, championing the power of creativity and connection to uplift communities.
“Fender has always been about putting the right tools in artists’ hands so they can turn inspiration into sound,” said Max Gutnik, Fender’s Chief Product Officer. “With Arm The Homeless, we partnered with Tom to capture the raw spirit and personality of the original guitar, faithfully recreating every contour, nuance, and tone. Our mission was to honor his vision and build an instrument with the same edge and attitude as the original.”
Key Features:
● Active Electronics – Delivers the dynamic tonal range that has defined Morello’s sound for decades.
● Gotoh® Double-Locking Tremolo System – Enables expressive pitch manipulation and precise tuning stability.
● Hockey Stick Headstock – Signature design element of the original “Arm the Homeless” guitar.
● Hand-Drawn Hippopotamus Artwork – Unique personal artwork from Tom Morello, featured on a striking blue ice metallic finish.
Watch Tom Morello’s “Arm The Homeless” Guitar in action, as part of Fender’s Artist Signature Series. High-resolution artist, lifestyle, and product images of the Tom Morello “Arm The Homeless” Guitar can be found HERE.
For technical specs, additional information on new Fender products, and to find a retail partner near you, visit www.fender.com. Join the conversation on social media by following @Fender and @FenderCustomShop on Instagram.
MORE ABOUT TOM MORELLO AND THE ARM THE HOMELESS GUITAR
Tom Morello “Arm The Homeless” Guitar ($1,699.99 USD, £1,699 GBP, €1,999 EUR, $3099 AUD) As architect of Rage Against the Machine’s groundbreaking sound, Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Famer Tom Morello, revolutionized guitar with his monstrous riffs and boundary-breaking techniques. His heavily modified ‘Arm the Homeless’ guitar became legendary and has been his primary instrument for over 35 years, channeling everything from delicate jazz phrases to searing metal riffs through its distinctive active electronics and Gotoh® double-locking tremolo system. Adorned with its provocative slogan and his own hand-drawn hippopotamus design against its striking blue ice metallic finish, this guitar masters its role as an instrument to become a powerful symbol of artistic rebellion. Every component, including its characteristic hockey stick headstock and powerful visual messaging captures Morello’s unwavering commitment to musical innovation and social change. As part of the project, proceeds will be supporting Midnight Mission and Covenant House, two organizations handpicked by Tom Morello, dedicated to providing shelter, support, and hope to those experiencing homelessness.
Tom Morello is living proof of the transformative power of rock’n’roll. Known for his innovative guitar solos and thunderous riffs, Morello is a groundbreaking artist whether in his solo career or as an original member of the rock bands Rage Against the Machine and Audioslave – two acts responsible for multiple Grammy Awards and a combined 30 million albums sold worldwide. His trademark style, innovative techniques, and effects that resemble turntable scratching redefined electric guitar playing and were crucial components of Rage Against the Machine’s rap-metal sonic attack and Audioslave’s numerous radio hits, not only helping catapult Morello and both those bands to multi-platinum success but leading to his recognition by Rolling Stone Magazine as #18 on the “100 Greatest Guitar Players of All-Time” and subsequent induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and the Heavy Metal Hall of Fame. Morello’s signature guitar could also be heard in supergroups Prophets of Rage, Street Sweeper Social Club as well as a six year stint with Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band. Additionally, Harvard graduate Morello has for decades been a vocal political activist and solo artist who has championed countless human rights and workers rights causes.
