Riff Tone
Hypnotize
System Of A Down
Guitarmetal2000s
Original Gear
Guitar1962 Gibson Les Paul SG Standard (double humbucker), doubled with early '80s Gibson Korina Flying V
AmpDave Friedman-modded Marshall 100-watt JMP100 (1970s), possibly layered with Friedman BE-100 Deluxe
PickupsGibson PAF-style humbuckers
Amp Settings
gain8
bass4.5
mid6
treble7
reverb0
presence6
Effects & Signal Chain
noise_gateMXR MXR Smart Gate Pro
Notes
Studio recording, 2004-2005. Main rhythm riff is double-tracked with SG and Flying V. No evidence of pedals except possible noise gate; distortion from amp. Friedman BE-100 Deluxe and Marshall JMP100 both cited as core studio amps for Mezmerize/Hypnotize era.
Tone Character(10)
tight and percussiveaggressive palm mutinghigh-gain saturationmid-forward puncharticulate note separationdry, focused soundminimal ambiencelayered, double-tracked guitarsmodern metal claritythick, powerful distortion
Difficulty
The riff requires tight palm muting, precise alternate picking, and aggressive attack to match the percussive, articulate tone. While not extremely fast, the rhythmic complexity and need for consistency raise the difficulty above intermediate.
Sources
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Create Free AccountGuitarmetal2000s
Original Gear
Guitar1962 Gibson Les Paul SG Standard (double humbucker), doubled with early '80s Gibson Korina Flying V
AmpDave Friedman-modded Marshall 100-watt JMP100 (1970s), possibly layered with Friedman BE-100 Deluxe
PickupsGibson PAF-style humbuckers
Amp Settings
gain8
bass4.5
mid6
treble7
reverb0
presence6
Effects & Signal Chain
noise_gateMXR MXR Smart Gate Pro
Notes
Studio recording, 2004-2005. Main rhythm riff is double-tracked with SG and Flying V. No evidence of pedals except possible noise gate; distortion from amp. Friedman BE-100 Deluxe and Marshall JMP100 both cited as core studio amps for Mezmerize/Hypnotize era.
Tone Character(10)
tight and percussiveaggressive palm mutinghigh-gain saturationmid-forward puncharticulate note separationdry, focused soundminimal ambiencelayered, double-tracked guitarsmodern metal claritythick, powerful distortion
Difficulty
The riff requires tight palm muting, precise alternate picking, and aggressive attack to match the percussive, articulate tone. While not extremely fast, the rhythmic complexity and need for consistency raise the difficulty above intermediate.
Hypnotize settings for your amp
Exact settings ToneAdapt players use on these amps.
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