GuitarDistortedRiff80% confidence
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
Notes & Caveats
- No direct studio photo or interview confirms the exact guitar for 'Attack' riff, but 1969 Gibson SG Special with P-90s and Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier are most consistently cited for SOAD's heavy tones in this era.
- No numeric amp settings found; values estimated based on typical Dual Rectifier settings for modern metal and genre/era conventions.
- No evidence of pedals or additional effects in the riff section; distortion is from amp.
- No evidence of modulation, delay, or reverb effects in the riff section; amp reverb set low for dryness.
- If alternate gear/settings are found in future, update accordingly.
- Settings cross-referenced with genre and era conventions for accuracy. Daron Malakian's tone on 'Attack' is tight, aggressive, and modern, with high gain but not overly scooped mids, reflecting his typical Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier setup. The bass is controlled for punch, mids are present for clarity, treble and presence are set for attack and cut, and the tone is very dry with no audible reverb.