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System Of A Down - Chop Suey! - Guitar Lesson

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System Of A Down - Chop Suey! - Guitar Lesson

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System Of A Down - Chop Suey! guitar lesson video
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Classic Rock

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System Of A Down Alternative Metal C# minor
Capo Advisor 0 C# minor · Original key

Chop Suey!

"Chop Suey!" is a song by the American heavy metal band System of a Down, released on August 13, 2001 as the first single from their second album, Toxicity. It is widely regarded as the band's signature song and earned them their first Grammy nomination for Best Metal Performance in 2002. For electric guitarists, it offers a challenging mix of aggressive riffing, dynamic shifts between clean and distorted tones, and unconventional song structure that reflects the band's distinctive style.

  • The music video for "Chop Suey!" has surpassed one billion views on YouTube, reflecting the song's enduring global reach.
  • The song earned System of a Down their first Grammy nomination for Best Metal Performance at the 44th Annual Grammy Awards in 2002.
  • "Chop Suey!" was the lead single from Toxicity, the band's second studio album, released in August 2001.
Gibson SG Standard
Guitar

Gibson SG Standard

Daron Malakian's signature guitar for SOAD's classic era, the SG's bright midrange cuts through Drop C tuning without muddiness while its lightweight body delivers the aggressive, cutting tone on Toxicity. The dual humbuckers provide thick saturation for heavy riffs while maintaining clarity for melodic passages.

Marshall JCM800
Amp

Marshall JCM800

The JCM800 would deliver the tight, focused high-gain crunch that defined early SOAD, though Malakian favored the JCM900 for its superior midrange bite to cut through Serj's vocals and the band's dense arrangements.

Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier
Amp

Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier

Malakian uses this amp to thicken SOAD's low-end on select studio tracks and heavier passages, adding additional bottom-end depth to the Marshall's midrange focus while maintaining the clarity needed for palm-muted riffing in Drop C.

Dunlop Cry Baby Wah
Pedal

Dunlop Cry Baby Wah

Malakian's sole primary effects pedal, the Cry Baby adds filtered lead textures and specific riff coloration to SOAD's sound while staying minimal, keeping the focus on the guitar, amp gain, and Drop C tuning that defines their signature tone.

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