Riff Tone

Mr. Jack (Clean Version)

System Of A Down

Guitarmetal2000s

Original Gear

GuitarIbanez Iceman IC300 (likely, as used by Daron Malakian on Steal This Album! era)

AmpMesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier (studio recording, Modern Red Channel, silicon diode rectifier setting)

PickupsHigh-output passive humbuckers (likely Seymour Duncan or stock Ibanez, bridge position)

Amp Settings

gain7

bass6

mid4.5

treble6.5

reverb0.5

presence5.5

Effects & Signal Chain

overdriveIbanez Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamer (or similar, used as clean boost)

noise_gateUnknown Noise Gate (model unknown)

Notes

Studio recording, 2002 (Steal This Album! sessions). Daron Malakian is known to use Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier for heavy rhythm tones in this era. Settings and gear are for the main riff section, not the clean intro or solo. No evidence of live-specific gear or alternate amps for this section.

Tone Character(10)

tight and percussiveaggressive high midsscooped midrangefocused midsdry and punchychug-ready biteminimal ambiencehigh-output attackrich midstight low-end response

Difficulty

The riff requires tight palm muting, fast and accurate right-hand technique, and precise rhythm in drop C tuning, making it moderately challenging for intermediate players.

Sources

System of a Down Amp Settings (gear and tone tips) - Guitar Chalk

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