Ampeg SVT settings
Chop Suey! settings for Ampeg SVT
System Of A Down · adapted 3 times on ToneAdapt
To get the System Of A Down "Chop Suey!" distorted tone on a Ampeg SVT, set Gain 6, Drive 3, Bass 5, Mid 7, Treble 6.5, Presence 6. Use the both firebird mini-humbuckers pickup.
Distorted settings
Adapted for a Sterling by Music Man SUB Series StingRay RAY4 · updated 2026-07-27
- Pickup
- Both Firebird mini-humbuckers
Ampeg SVT knobs
- Gain
- 6
- Drive
- 3
- Bass
- 5
- Mid
- 7
- Treble
- 6.5
- Presence
- 6
- Ultra low
- 0
- Ultra high
- 0
Playing tips
- Use a pick to achieve a clanky attack for enhanced articulation.
- Experiment with the drive control to find the right level of saturation.
- Dial in the presence to enhance the grit without becoming harsh.
The original rig
What System Of A Down used on the recording, for reference. ToneAdapt translates this to the controls your Ampeg SVT actually has.
- Bass
- Ibanez Iceman (early 2000s, as seen in official music video and cited for Toxicity album era)
- Amp
- Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier (studio, Toxicity era; most-cited amp for album and heavy riff sections)
- Gain
- 8.5
- Bass
- 6.5
- Mid
- 4
- Treble
- 6.5
- Presence
- 7
- Reverb
- 0
Different bass or pedals? Get Chop Suey! adapted to your exact rig
These settings were generated for the gear named above. ToneAdapt adapts System Of A Down's tone to your own bass, pickups, amp and pedals in seconds.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best Ampeg SVT settings for Chop Suey!?
Set Gain 6, Drive 3, Bass 5, Mid 7, Treble 6.5, Presence 6.
Which pickup should I use for Chop Suey!?
Both Firebird mini-humbuckers.
What gear did System Of A Down use on Chop Suey!?
Bass: Ibanez Iceman (early 2000s, as seen in official music video and cited for Toxicity album era). Amp: Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier (studio, Toxicity era; most-cited amp for album and heavy riff sections).
Will these settings work with my bass?
These settings were adapted for a Sterling by Music Man SUB Series StingRay RAY4. Different pickups change how much gain and treble you need. ToneAdapt adapts the tone to your exact bass, pickups, amp and pedals.
Chop Suey! on other amps
Popular songs on the Ampeg SVT
- For Whom the Bell Tolls · Metallica
- Hysteria · Muse
- Schism · TOOL
- Money · Pink Floyd
- Give it Away · Red Hot Chile Peppers
- Dean Town · Vulfpeck
- Symphony of Destruction · Megadeth
- Feel Good Inc. (feat. David Jolicoeur, Kelvin Mercer & Vincent Mason) · Gorillaz & De La Soul
- Paranoid · Black Sabbath
- Come Together · The Beatles
- Orion · Metallica
- Oh, Pretty Woman · Roy Orbison
Settings are generated by ToneAdapt's tone adaptation for the gear named on this page and are a starting point — every amp, guitar and room is a little different.