Guitar tone · metal, rock

System Of A Down guitar tone: gear & amp settings

The gear and amp settings behind 42 System Of A Down songs, researched from rig rundowns, interviews and gear forums. The rig that shows up most: Ibanez Iceman IC300 into Marshall JCM800 2203.

Guitars System Of A Down used

Ibanez Iceman IC30011 songs
Ibanez Iceman IC1007 songs
1962 Gibson SG4 songs
Gibson Les Paul Standard3 songs
Gibson Thunderbird IV2 songs
1962 Gibson Les Paul SG Standard (double humbucker), doubled with early '80s Gibson Korina Flying V1 song
Gibson SG Standard (early 2000s, as used by Daron Malakian on Mezmerize/Hypnotize sessions)1 song
Ibanez Iceman (likely IC300 or IC500, as used by Daron Malakian on SOAD's debut album sessions)1 song

Amps System Of A Down used

Marshall JCM800 22038 songs
Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier3 songs
Marshall JMP 2203 Mk II Master Lead 100w (modded for extra gain)3 songs
Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier 2-channel 100W Solo Head2 songs
Marshall Plexi 1959SLP2 songs
Marshall JMP100 (100-watt, one channel stock, one channel modded for extra gain)2 songs
Mesa/Boogie Triple Rectifier2 songs
Dave Friedman-modded Marshall 100-watt JMP100 (1970s), possibly layered with Friedman BE-100 Deluxe1 song

69 System Of A Down tones

Song	Part	Guitar	Amp	Gain
Aerials · riff	Riff · distorted	Ibanez Iceman IC300	Mesa/Boogie Triple Rectifier	7.5
Toxicity · riff	Riff · distorted	Ibanez Iceman IC300	Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier	8.5
Chop Suey! · riff	Riff · distorted	Ibanez Iceman (early 2000s, as seen in official music video and cited for Toxicity album era)	Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier (studio, Toxicity era; most-cited amp for album and heavy riff sections)	8.5
Aerials · riff	Riff · clean	Ibanez Iceman IC300	Mesa/Boogie Triple Rectifier	0
Lonely Day · riff	Riff · distorted	1962 Gibson Les Paul SG Standard (doubled with early '80s Gibson Korina Flying V)	Marshall (likely JMP or Mode Four prototype) blended with Friedman 100-watt head	6.5
Sugar (Clean Version) · riff	Riff · distorted	Ibanez Iceman (IC300 or similar, as used by Daron Malakian in early SOAD era)	Peavey 5150 II (studio recording, as used on debut album era)	8
Revenga · riff	Riff · distorted	Gibson SG Standard (early 2000s, as used by Daron Malakian on Mezmerize/Hypnotize sessions)	Marshall JCM800 2203 (studio recording, early 2000s era)	8.5
Attack · riff	Riff · distorted	Gibson SG Special (1969, P-90s) or Gibson ES-335	Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier 100W 3-channel Solo Head	8.5
Deer Dance · riff	Riff · distorted	Ibanez Iceman IC100	Marshall JCM800 2203	8
Chop Suey! · distorted	Distorted · distorted	1962 Gibson Firebird bass	Vintage Ampeg head (through 8×10 cab) and Trace Elliot head (through 4×10 cab)	7.5
Chop Suey! · riff	Riff · clean	Ibanez Iceman IC300	Marshall JCM800 2203 head	0
Holy Mountains · riff	Riff · distorted	Ibanez Iceman IC300	Marshall JCM800 2203	8.5
Lonely Day · solo	Solo · distorted	Gibson SG Standard (1962 reissue, likely with stock humbuckers)	Marshall JCM800 2203	6
Needles (Live) · riff	Riff · distorted	Ibanez Iceman IC300	Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier	8
Science · riff	Riff · distorted	Ibanez Iceman IC100	Marshall JCM800 2203	8
Aerials · clean	Clean · clean	Gibson Thunderbird IV	Ampeg SVT Classic (likely SVT-CL or SVT-II Pro) with 8x10 cabinet	0
Aerials · solo	Solo · clean	Gibson Les Paul Standard	Friedman BE-100 (clean channel for clean sections)	0
Aerials · solo	Solo · distorted	Gibson Les Paul Standard	Marshall JMP 2203 Mk II Master Lead 100w	7
Bounce · riff	Riff · distorted	Gibson SG (likely Standard, as used by Daron Malakian on Toxicity era recordings)	Marshall Plexi 1959SLP (studio recording, Toxicity album era)	8
Chop Suey! · clean	Clean · clean	Gibson Thunderbird (likely, some Ibanez BTB use on early albums possible)	Ampeg SVT Classic head + Ampeg 8x10 cab	0
Chop Suey! · solo	Solo · distorted	Gibson SG (likely 1962 Les Paul SG Standard, possibly doubled with early '80s Gibson Korina Flying V)	Marshall JCM800 (modded, likely 2203 or 2204 head, possibly layered with other Marshalls)	7.5
Forest · riff	Riff · distorted	Ibanez Iceman IC300 (likely, as used by Daron Malakian on Toxicity era recordings)	Marshall JCM800 2203 head with Marshall 4x12 cabinet (studio recording, 2001 era)	8.5
Forest · clean	Clean · clean	Unknown bass guitar	Unknown bass amp	0
Highway Song · riff	Riff · distorted	Fender Telecaster (exact model unspecified, likely 1990s/early 2000s American Standard or similar)	Marshall JCM800 2203 (primary), possibly layered with Marshall Plexi and/or Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier	7.5
Hypnotize · riff	Riff · distorted	1962 Gibson Les Paul SG Standard (double humbucker), doubled with early '80s Gibson Korina Flying V	Dave Friedman-modded Marshall 100-watt JMP100 (1970s), possibly layered with Friedman BE-100 Deluxe	8
Hypnotize · solo	Solo · clean	Hagstrom II (red, 1960s)	Watkins (WEM) Dominator MK1 (1960-1965), tremolo channel	0
Hypnotize · riff	Riff · clean	1962 Gibson SG Standard	Marshall JMP100 (100-watt, 1970s, Dave Friedman-modded)	0
Hypnotize · solo	Solo · distorted	1962 Gibson SG	Marshall JMP 2203 Mk II Master Lead 100w (modded for extra gain)	6.5
Innervision · riff	Riff · distorted	Ibanez Iceman IC300	Marshall Plexi 1959SLP	8
Jet Pilot · riff	Riff · distorted	Ibanez Iceman IC100	Marshall Plexi 1959SLP	8
Kill Rock 'n Roll (Clean) · riff	Riff · clean	Gibson SG	Friedman BE-100 (first generation, set for clean tone)	0
Lonely Day · solo	Solo · clean	Gibson SG Standard (1962 reissue or original, as used by Daron Malakian on Mezmerize/Hypnotize era)	Marshall JMP (modded, likely 1970s/early 80s, as per Daron's studio use)	0
Lonely Day · riff	Riff · clean	Ibanez Iceman IC300 (2000s production, likely stock)	Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier (studio recording, clean channel)	0
Lost In Hollywood · riff	Riff · clean	1962 Gibson SG	Marshall JMP100 (100-watt, one channel stock, one channel modded for extra gain)	0
Lost In Hollywood · riff	Riff · distorted	1962 Gibson SG	Marshall JMP 2203 Mk II Master Lead 100w (modded for extra gain)	7.5
Mind (Clean Version) · riff	Riff · distorted	Ibanez Iceman IC100	Marshall JCM800 2203	8.5
Mr. Jack (Clean Version) · riff	Riff · distorted	Ibanez Iceman IC300 (likely, as used by Daron Malakian on Steal This Album! era)	Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier (studio recording, Modern Red Channel, silicon diode rectifier setting)	7
Needles (Live) · clean	Clean · clean	Fender Jazz Bass	Ampeg SVT Classic (most likely, based on era and live rig)	0
P.L.U.C.K. (Clean Version) · riff	Riff · distorted	Ibanez Iceman (likely IC300 or IC500, as used by Daron Malakian on SOAD's debut album sessions)	Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier (Modern Red Channel, silicon diode rectifier setting, V30 cab)	8.5
Peephole · riff	Riff · clean	Ibanez Iceman (custom, late 90s, as seen in studio photos from debut album era)	Marshall Plexi 1959SLP (studio, as confirmed by Sylvia Massy and Equipboard for debut album clean tones)	0
Prison Song · riff	Riff · clean	Ibanez Iceman IC300 (likely, as used by Daron Malakian on Toxicity era studio recordings)	Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier (studio, Toxicity era, clean channel)	0
Prison Song · riff	Riff · distorted	Ibanez Iceman IC100	Mesa/Boogie Triple Rectifier 2-Channel 150W Solo Head + Marshall Plexi 1959SLP (blended, studio recording)	8.5
Protect The Land · riff	Riff · distorted	Ibanez Iceman (likely IC300 or signature model, as per Daron Malakian's known studio use in 2020)	Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier (Modern Red Channel, silicon diode rectifier setting)	8
Psycho · riff	Riff · distorted	Gibson Les Paul Standard	Marshall JCM800 (studio recording, Toxicity era)	8
Psycho · solo	Solo · distorted	Ibanez Iceman IC100	Marshall Plexi 1959SLP (likely with boost/overdrive in front)	8
Question! · riff	Riff · distorted	1962 Gibson Les Paul SG Standard	Marshall JCM 800 (modded, studio recording)	8
Radio/Video · riff	Riff · distorted	Ibanez Iceman IC300 (likely, as used by Daron Malakian on Mezmerize/Hypnotize era studio recordings)	Marshall JCM800 (likely, as used by Daron Malakian for studio rhythm tones in this era)	7.5
Radio/Video · riff	Riff · clean	Ibanez Iceman (likely IC300 or custom, as used by Daron Malakian on Mezmerize era studio recordings)	Marshall JCM800 (studio recording, as used by Daron Malakian on Mezmerize era; Friedman BE-100 sometimes used live, but not confirmed for studio)	0
Sad Statue · riff	Riff · distorted	Gibson SG (likely 1962 reissue, as used by Daron Malakian on Mezmerize)	Marshall JMP100 (100-watt, one channel stock, one channel modded for extra gain)	8.5
Sad Statue · riff	Riff · clean	Gibson SG Standard (likely 2000s, as used by Daron Malakian in studio)	Marshall JCM800 2203 (studio recording amp for Mezmerize era)	0
She's Like Heroin (Clean) · riff	Riff · clean	Gibson SG Standard (likely 2000s production, as used by Daron Malakian on Mezmerize/Hypnotize sessions)	Marshall JCM800 2203 (studio recording amp for Mezmerize/Hypnotize era, clean channel)	2
Shimmy · riff	Riff · distorted	Ibanez Iceman IC300	Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier	8.5
Soil (Clean Version) · riff	Riff · clean	Ibanez Iceman IC300	Marshall JCM800 2203	0
Soldier Side - Intro · riff	Riff · clean	Ibanez Iceman (likely IC300 or custom, as used by Daron Malakian on Mezmerize/Hypnotize era)	Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier (studio recording, 2004-2005 era)	0
Spiders · riff	Riff · distorted	Gibson SG Standard (1962, stock, passive humbuckers)	Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier 2-channel 100W Solo Head	7
Sugar · riff	Riff · distorted	Ibanez Iceman IC300	Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier 2-channel 100W Solo Head	8.5
Sugar (Clean Version) · riff	Riff · clean	Ibanez Iceman IC300	Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier (studio recording, 1997 era)	0
Suggestions · clean	Clean · clean	Gibson Thunderbird IV (commonly used by Shavo Odadjian)	Ashdown ABM‑1200‑EVO IV head (Ashdown artist model)	0
Suite-Pee (Clean Version) · riff	Riff · distorted	Ibanez Iceman IC100	Marshall JCM800 2203	7.5
Tentative · riff	Riff · clean	Ibanez Iceman IC300 (likely, based on Daron Malakian's known studio guitars for Mezmerize/Hypnotize era)	Marshall JCM800 2203 (likely, based on Daron Malakian's studio amp for Mezmerize/Hypnotize era)	0
Tentative · solo	Solo · distorted	Gibson SG (likely Custom Shop, as used by Daron Malakian in this era)	Marshall JCM800 (modded, as referenced for Mesmerize era studio recordings)	8
This Cocaine Makes Me Feel Like I'm On This Song · riff	Riff · distorted	1962 Gibson SG	Marshall JMP 2203 Mk II Master Lead 100w (modded for extra gain)	8.5
Toxicity · distorted	Distorted · distorted	Gibson Thunderbird IV	Unknown studio amp (likely Ampeg SVT or similar high-headroom tube amp, but not confirmed); Ashdown amps used live post-2002	7
Toxicity · riff	Riff · clean	Gibson Les Paul Standard (black, as seen in Toxicity recording sessions)	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)	0
Toxicity · solo	Solo · distorted	Ibanez Iceman IC520	Marshall JCM800 2203	8.5
Vicinity Of Obscenity · riff	Riff · clean	Gibson SG Standard (early 2000s, likely stock pickups)	Marshall JCM800 (modded, studio recording)	0
Vicinity Of Obscenity · riff	Riff · distorted	Gibson SG (likely 1961 Reissue or Standard, as used by Daron Malakian during 'Hypnotize' era studio sessions)	Marshall JCM800 (modded, as referenced for 'Mesmerize/Hypnotize' era studio recordings)	8
War? · riff	Riff · distorted	Jackson Randy Rhoads Flying V (retrofitted with Gibson humbucker in bridge position)	Watkins 'V-Front' Dominator MK1 (1960-1965)	8.5
X · riff	Riff · distorted	Ibanez ICX120	Crate VFX5212	8.5

System Of A Down songs on popular amps

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Frequently asked questions

What amp did System Of A Down use?

Across 42 researched songs, the amps that come up most are Marshall JCM800 2203 (8 songs), Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier (3 songs), Marshall JMP 2203 Mk II Master Lead 100w (modded for extra gain) (3 songs), Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier 2-channel 100W Solo Head (2 songs).

What guitar did System Of A Down use?

Most often: Ibanez Iceman IC300 (11 songs), Ibanez Iceman IC100 (7 songs), 1962 Gibson SG (4 songs), Gibson Les Paul Standard (3 songs).

How do I get System Of A Down's tone on my amp?

Open any System Of A Down song below to see the original gear and settings, then use ToneAdapt to adapt them to your own guitar, amp, pickups and pedals.