Riff Tone

Peephole

System Of A Down

Guitarmetal1990s

Original Gear

GuitarIbanez Iceman (custom, late 90s, as seen in studio photos from debut album era)

AmpMarshall Plexi 1959SLP (studio, as confirmed by Sylvia Massy and Equipboard for debut album clean tones)

PickupsSeymour Duncan SH-4 JB (bridge), Seymour Duncan '59 (neck) humbuckers

Amp Settings

gain0

bass5.5

mid6

treble7

reverb1

presence6

Effects & Signal Chain

No effects used for this tone

Notes

Studio recording, 1997-1998, System of a Down self-titled album sessions. Clean sections likely used the Marshall Plexi set for low gain. No evidence of live rig or Friedman amps for this era. No pedal use confirmed for clean section.

Tone Character(10)

glassy and brightarticulate note separationslightly compressed attacktight, focused lowsclear, present midscrisp high endminimal ambiencedynamic response to pickingpercussive, staccato pickingno audible distortion or breakup

Difficulty

The clean riff requires tight, percussive picking and dynamic control for clarity, but does not involve advanced techniques or high speed, making it moderately challenging.

Sources

System of a Down – System Of A Down - Gear & Equipment Used on the Album | Equipboard Daron Malakian | Equipboard

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