Holy Mountains — System Of A Down1 / 2
Original RigYour Adaptation
GuitarDistortedRiff

Holy Mountains Riff Guitar Tone Settings — System Of A Down

System Of A Down · 2000s · metal

studio

Original Recording

Guitar
Ibanez Iceman IC300
Pickups
Stock Ibanez humbuckers (likely ceramic, high output)
Amp
Marshall JCM800 2203
Pickup Position
Bridge pickup

Studio recording, 2005-2006 era. Daron Malakian is known to use the Ibanez Iceman and Marshall JCM800 for System of a Down's 'Mezmerize/Hypnotize' sessions. No direct evidence for pedals or alternate amps for this specific song's riff section. No evidence of live rig or alternate guitars for the studio riff.

Amp Settings

Mids
5
Bass
5.5
Gain
8.5
Reverb
1
Treble
7
Presence
6

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Tone Character

  • tight and percussive
  • aggressive palm muting
  • saturated high-gain
  • chunky low end
  • slightly scooped mids
  • articulate note separation
  • modern metal clarity
  • fast attack
  • compressed dynamics
  • minimal ambience

Sources