GuitarCleanRiff
Toxicity Riff Guitar Tone Settings — System Of A Down
System Of A Down · 2000s · metal
studio
Original Recording
Guitar
Gibson Les Paul Standard (black, as seen in Toxicity recording sessions)
Pickups
Gibson humbuckers (exact model unspecified, likely stock Les Paul Standard pickups for this era)
Amp
Marshall JCM800 (studio recording, 2001 era; some sources mention Mode Four or Peavey 5150 II for live, but JCM800 is most likely for clean studio tones)
Pickup Position
Neck pickup
Studio recording, 2001. Daron Malakian is seen with a black Gibson Les Paul Standard in the studio for Toxicity. Clean sections likely used the JCM800 set clean or just at breakup, with no pedals in the chain for clean parts. No evidence of pedals or effects for clean tone in the studio; live gear varied.
Amp Settings
Mids5.5
Bass5.5
Gain0
Reverb1
Treble7
Presence5.5
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Tone Character
- clear and bell-like
- articulate and percussive
- warm but not muddy
- slightly compressed
- tight low end
- present mids
- no audible breakup
- dynamic response
- studio clarity
- no modulation or delay
Sources
Tone Story / Why This Tone Works
studio