GuitarDistortedRiff
Attack Riff Guitar Tone Settings — System Of A Down
System Of A Down · 2000s · metal
studio
Original Recording
Guitar
Gibson SG Special (1969, P-90s) or Gibson ES-335
Pickups
P-90 single coils (SG Special) or humbuckers (ES-335)
Amp
Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier 100W 3-channel Solo Head
Pickup Position
Bridge pickup
Studio recording for 'Attack' (2005, Mezmerize/Hypnotize sessions). Multiple sources suggest Daron Malakian used a 1969 Gibson SG Special with P-90s and/or a Gibson ES-335, both seen in studio and live photos from the era. Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier is the most consistently cited amp for heavy SOAD tones in this period. No direct evidence of pedals for the riff section; distortion is from amp. No evidence of additional effects in the riff section.
Amp Settings
Mids5.5
Bass6
Gain8.5
Reverb1
Treble7
Presence6.5
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Tone Character
- tight and percussive
- aggressive palm muting
- high-gain saturation
- articulate pick attack
- chunky low end
- focused midrange punch
- slightly scooped mids
- minimal ambience
- clear note separation
- modern metal rhythm