Riff Tone

Lost In Hollywood

System Of A Down

Guitarmetal2000s

Original Gear

Guitar1962 Gibson SG

AmpMarshall JMP 2203 Mk II Master Lead 100w (modded for extra gain)

PickupsGibson PAF-style humbuckers

Amp Settings

gain7.5

bass6

mid5.5

treble7

reverb1.5

presence6

Effects & Signal Chain

No effects used for this tone

Notes

Studio recording, 2004-2005, Mezmerize album sessions. Daron Malakian used the 1962 Gibson SG through a modded Marshall JMP 2203 for distorted tones. No evidence of additional drive/distortion pedals; all gain from amp. No evidence of live gear or alternate guitars for this section.

Tone Character(9)

tight and percussivesaturated high-gain crunchaggressive palm mutingclear note definition under gainslightly scooped midsarticulate attackmodern metal edgecontrolled feedbackfull-bodied power chords

Difficulty

The riff requires solid palm muting technique, precise rhythm playing, and control over dynamics to maintain clarity under high-gain settings. While not technically advanced, the tone and tightness demand intermediate skill.

Sources

System of a Down – Mezmerize - Gear & Equipment Used on the Album | Equipboard Daron Malakian guitar tone (Mesmerize) : r/systemofadown - Reddit SOAD clean tone on guitar? : r/systemofadown - Reddit

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