GuitarDistortedRiff80% 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 (studio recording, 2001 era)
Pickup Position
Bridge pickup
Studio recording for 'Chop Suey!' (2001). Daron Malakian is known for using the Ibanez Iceman with stock humbuckers and a Marshall JCM800 for the Toxicity album sessions. No evidence of additional pedals or effects for the riff section; tone is achieved with amp gain. No evidence of live/touring substitutions for the studio recording.
Amp Settings
Mids5
Bass5.5
Gain8.5
Reverb1
Treble7
Presence6
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Tone Character
- tight and percussive
- aggressive attack
- sharp and articulate
- focused midrange
- saturated distortion
- crisp high end
- minimal ambience
- dry, in-your-face
- articulate note separation
- punchy rhythm
Notes & Caveats
- No direct source provides exact amp knob settings for 'Chop Suey!' studio recording; settings estimated based on typical Marshall JCM800 usage in early 2000s metal and forum discussions.
- No evidence of pedals or modulation/time-based effects used in the riff section; distortion is amp-based.
- Pickup model is inferred from era-correct Ibanez Iceman stock specs; not explicitly confirmed for this exact recording.
- All settings and effects are for the STUDIO recording, not live performances.
- Settings cross-referenced with genre and era conventions for accuracy. Daron Malakian used a Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier with high gain, tight bass, slightly scooped mids, and crisp treble for a modern metal tone; the track is very dry with no audible reverb, matching early 2000s metal production.