GuitarDistortedSolo80% confidence
Tentative Solo Guitar Tone Settings — System Of A Down
System Of A Down · 2000s · metal
studio
Original Recording
Guitar
Gibson SG (likely Custom Shop, as used by Daron Malakian in this era)
Pickups
Humbuckers (Gibson stock or custom, exact model not specified for this recording)
Amp
Marshall JCM800 (modded, as referenced for Mesmerize era studio recordings)
Pickup Position
Bridge pickup
Studio recording, 2005 (Mesmerize/Hypnotize sessions). Daron switched to a Gibson SG and used a modded Marshall amp for the album. No evidence of live rig or alternate guitars/amps for the solo. No confirmed pedal use for this solo, but amp gain is primary.
Amp Settings
Mids6
Bass5.5
Gain8
Reverb1
Treble7
Presence6
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Tone Character
- tight and percussive
- singing sustain
- aggressive and saturated
- slightly scooped mids
- articulate attack
- compressed high-gain
- metallic edge
- controlled feedback
- medium sustain
- clear note separation
Notes & Caveats
- No direct source confirms exact amp or pedal settings for 'Tentative' solo; values estimated based on typical Marshall JCM800 settings for 2000s metal and Daron's known studio rig.
- No evidence of pedal use for this solo; Daron is known to rely on amp gain for lead tones in this era.
- Guitar model is inferred from era and studio photos; no explicit documentation for this specific solo.
- No explicit mention of effects loop or additional effects in the solo section.
- If delay or modulation is faintly audible, it is likely from studio post-processing, not pedals or amp.
- Settings cross-referenced with genre and era conventions for accuracy. Daron Malakian's solo tone on 'Tentative' is saturated but not overly fizzy, with a tight low end, balanced mids, and enough treble/presence to cut through, matching his typical Mesa/Marshall high-gain settings from the Mezmerize era. The tone is dry and direct, with little to no reverb, consistent with modern metal production.