🎸 Artist tone guide

How to get System of a Down's guitar tone

System of a Down across 6 famous tones — mostly through Marshall JCM800 / Friedman-modded JMP100, Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier, Mesa/Boogie Triple Rectifier, with humbuckers. Here is where to start, then adapt any of it to the guitar and amp you actually own.

Starting point (averaged): gain 7.5 · bass 5.5 · mid 5.5 · treble 6.5 · presence 6 (out of 10)
🎛️ Get System of a Down's tones on YOUR rig — free →

System of a Down's go-to amps

Marshall JCM800 / Friedman-modded JMP100 ×3Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier ×2Mesa/Boogie Triple Rectifier ×1

System of a Down's tuning & guitars

Tuning: Mostly Drop C (C-G-C-F-A-D), the low, tight tuning behind Daron Malakian’s riffs, with some songs in Drop D or Eb.
Guitars: Daron Malakian’s Ibanez Iceman.

Tune to match with our free tuning chart, then dial any tone below in on your own amp — GuitarToneAdapt handles the rest, free.

6 famous System of a Down tones

Toxicity
gain 8.5 · bass 6.5 · mid 4.5 · treble 6.5
Chop Suey!
gain 8.5 · bass 6.5 · mid 4 · treble 6.5
Aerials
gain 7.5 · bass 6 · mid 5.5 · treble 6.5
B.Y.O.B.
gain 7.5 · bass 5 · mid 6.5 · treble 6
Hypnotize
gain 7 · bass 5 · mid 6.5 · treble 6
Lonely Day
gain 6 · bass 5 · mid 6.5 · treble 6

Metal amp settings

System of a Down is a metal staple. See the best amp settings for metal — averaged EQ, go-to amps and a full how-to.

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How to get System of a Down's tone — FAQ

What tuning does System of a Down use?

Mostly Drop C (C-G-C-F-A-D), the low, tight tuning behind Daron Malakian’s riffs, with some songs in Drop D or Eb. Daron Malakian’s Ibanez Iceman.

What amp settings does System of a Down use?

Averaged across 6 of their tones: gain 7.5, bass 5.5, mid 5.5, treble 6.5, presence 6 (out of 10). Adapt to your own amp.

What gear do I need to sound like System of a Down?

They favour Marshall JCM800 / Friedman-modded JMP100, Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier, Mesa/Boogie Triple Rectifier with humbuckers. You do not need the exact rig — GuitarToneAdapt re-dials their tones for the guitar and amp you already own, free.

How do I get System of a Down's guitar tone?

Start with their go-to gear (Marshall JCM800 / Friedman-modded JMP100, Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier, Mesa/Boogie Triple Rectifier and humbuckers) and a starting EQ of gain 7.5, bass 5.5, mid 5.5, treble 6.5, presence 6 (out of 10), then dial in any of the 6 songs below. GuitarToneAdapt adapts each one to the exact amp and guitar you own, free.

Can I get System of a Down's tone on a different amp or guitar?

Yes. You do not need their exact rig — GuitarToneAdapt models how their gear shapes the sound and compensates for whatever amp, guitar and pedals you already have, free in the browser.

Settings are community-researched estimates. Adapt any to your gear at GuitarToneAdapt · amp settings · tuning chart · all 1,200+ tones.