GuitarDistortedRiff
Question! Riff Guitar Tone Settings — System Of A Down
System Of A Down · 2000s · metal
studio
Original Recording
Guitar
1962 Gibson Les Paul SG Standard
Pickups
Gibson PAF-style humbuckers
Amp
Marshall JCM 800 (modded, studio recording)
Pickup Position
Bridge pickup
Studio recording for 'Mezmerize' (2005). Daron Malakian is confirmed to use the 1962 Gibson Les Paul SG Standard in the 'Question!' music video and studio sessions. Amp is a modded Marshall JCM 800, as referenced in multiple gear rundowns and forum discussions. No evidence of live-specific gear for the studio recording.
Amp Settings
Mids5
Bass5.5
Gain8
Reverb1
Treble7
Presence6
Effects Chain
- Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamer · overdrive
- MXR Smart Gate Pro · noise_gate
Guitar → Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamer → MXR Smart Gate Pro → Marshall JCM 800 (modded, with light spring reverb)
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Tone Character
- tight and percussive
- aggressive palm muting
- scooped mids
- high-gain saturation
- articulate attack
- chunky low end
- clear note separation
- modern metal crunch
- minimal ambience
- focused midrange