GuitarDistortedRiff80% confidence
Revenga Riff Guitar Tone Settings — System Of A Down
System Of A Down · 2000s · metal
studio
Original Recording
Guitar
Gibson SG Standard (early 2000s, as used by Daron Malakian on Mezmerize/Hypnotize sessions)
Pickups
Stock Gibson humbuckers
Amp
Marshall JCM800 2203 (studio recording, early 2000s era)
Pickup Position
Bridge pickup
Studio recording for 'Revenga' (2004/2005). Daron Malakian is widely documented using a Gibson SG Standard with stock humbuckers and a Marshall JCM800 2203 for the Mezmerize/Hypnotize sessions. No evidence of alternate guitars or amps for the riff section of this song. No evidence of live rig or alternate amp for this specific recording.
Amp Settings
Mids5
Bass6
Gain8.5
Reverb0
Treble7
Presence6
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Tone Character
- tight and percussive
- aggressive palm muting
- scooped mids
- chunky low end
- razor-sharp treble
- articulate pick attack
- high-gain saturation
- compressed and focused
- minimal ambience
- dry, in-your-face
Notes & Caveats
- No direct source lists exact knob settings for 'Revenga' studio recording; amp and settings estimated based on era, genre, and Daron Malakian's known studio rig for Mezmerize/Hypnotize.
- No evidence of pedals or effects used on the riff section; distortion is from amp gain.
- No evidence of live rig or alternate amp/guitar for this specific recording; all data is for studio version.
- No time-based or modulation effects are audible in the riff section; tone is dry and direct.
- If future evidence of pedal use on this specific track emerges, update accordingly.
- Settings cross-referenced with genre and era conventions for accuracy. Daron Malakian's 'Revenga' tone is tight, aggressive, and modern with pronounced mids and a dry, immediate feel. He typically uses high gain (Mesa/Boogie Rectifier), keeps the bass tight to avoid muddiness, mids at noon for punch, treble and presence slightly boosted for clarity, and no reverb for a dry, in-your-face metal sound.