GuitarCleanRiff80% confidence
Chop Suey! Riff Guitar Tone Settings — System Of A Down
System Of A Down · 2000s · metal
studio
Original Recording
Guitar
Ibanez Iceman IC300
Pickups
Ibanez stock humbuckers (likely Powersound or V7/V8, ceramic magnet, passive)
Amp
Marshall JCM800 2203 head
Pickup Position
Bridge pickup
Studio recording, 2001 (Toxicity album). No direct evidence of pedals or alternate amps for clean section; most sources confirm Daron used the Iceman and Marshall JCM800 for the album. Clean sections likely achieved by rolling back guitar volume and lowering amp gain.
Amp Settings
Mids5.5
Bass5.5
Gain0
Reverb1
Treble7
Presence5.5
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Tone Character
- bright and articulate
- thin, sharp attack
- clear note separation
- tight and percussive
- minimal breakup
- slightly scooped mids
- subtle amp reverb
- no audible modulation
- crisp palm muting
- dynamic response to picking
Notes & Caveats
- Gain adjusted to 0 for clean tone
- No direct source gives exact amp or pedal settings for the clean section of 'Chop Suey!'.
- Amp and guitar model inferred from multiple sources referencing Daron's studio rig for Toxicity.
- Settings estimated based on typical Marshall JCM800 clean settings and genre/era conventions.
- No evidence of pedals or modulation/time-based effects in the clean section; reverb is subtle and likely from amp or studio.
- Pickup choice inferred from tone and Daron's known preference for bridge pickup in riffs.
- If new evidence emerges (e.g., studio notes or isolated tracks), revise accordingly.
- Settings cross-referenced with genre and era conventions for accuracy. Daron Malakian's 'Chop Suey!' tone is a tight, modern high-gain sound with moderately scooped mids, controlled bass, and a clear but not harsh top end, typical of early 2000s nu-metal/alt-metal production. The amp is set dry with no reverb, matching the punchy, in-your-face mix style of the era.