TonesMatch
Sugar (Clean Version) — System Of A Down1 / 2
Original RigYour Adaptation
GuitarCleanRiff80% confidence

Sugar (Clean Version) Guitar Tone Settings — System Of A Down

System Of A Down · 1990s · metal

studio

Original Recording

Guitar
Ibanez Iceman IC300
Pickups
Stock Ibanez humbuckers (likely Powersound or V7/V8, ceramic magnet, passive)
Amp
Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier (studio recording, 1997 era)
Pickup Position
Bridge pickup

Studio recording, 1997. Daron Malakian used an Ibanez Iceman IC300 with stock humbuckers for the debut album. The amp was a Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier, which was the core of his studio sound for 'Sugar'. No evidence of pedal use for the clean riff section; tone is amp-driven. Friedman BE-100s are used live in later years, but not on the original recording.

Amp Settings

Mids
5
Bass
5.5
Gain
0
Reverb
1
Treble
6.5
Presence
6

Tone Matcher

Match This Tone to Your Gear

Tell us your guitar and amp — we’ll calculate the exact settings translated to your specific rig.

Adapt to MY Gear →

7-day free trial · Cancel anytime.

Tone Character

  • tight and percussive
  • clear and articulate
  • fast attack
  • slightly scooped mids
  • bright but not harsh
  • direct and in-your-face
  • no audible breakup
  • no modulation or time-based effects
  • dry, uncompressed
  • focused single-note clarity

Notes & Caveats

  • ⚠️Gain adjusted to 0 for clean tone
  • ⚠️No direct source lists exact amp knob settings for the 'Sugar' studio recording; settings are estimated based on typical Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier clean channel use in 1990s metal.
  • ⚠️Live rig (Friedman BE-100) is not relevant for the original studio recording.
  • ⚠️No evidence of pedal use or effects for the clean riff section; no chorus, delay, or reverb is audible.
  • ⚠️Pickup model is inferred from era-correct Ibanez Iceman IC300 specs; exact pickup may vary.
  • ⚠️Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier does not have built-in reverb; any reverb is likely minimal and added in post-production if present.
  • ⚠️Settings cross-referenced with genre and era conventions for accuracy. Daron Malakian's tone on 'Sugar' is aggressive and saturated but not overly scooped, with tight lows, present mids, and a biting high end typical of late-90s alt-metal. The amp is set for high gain with a dry, punchy sound and minimal reverb, matching both the band's gear (Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier) and the genre's production style.

Sources