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System Of A Down - Sugar - Guitar Lesson

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System Of A Down - Sugar - Guitar Lesson

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System Of A Down - Sugar guitar lesson video
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Classic Rock

Gain6
Bass6
Mid7
Treble6
Presence5
Master7
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Roll back the gain slightly and pick near the neck for a warmer, more open crunch.
Toxicity album cover
Toxicity
2001 3:30
Listen on Spotify
System Of A Down Alternative Metal 2001 C# minor
Capo Advisor 0 C# minor · Original key

Sugar

"Sugar" is a heavy metal track by System of a Down, released as the band's debut single in 1998 and featured on their self-titled first album. It introduced the band's distinctive style, blending aggressive riffing with unconventional song structures and dynamic shifts. For electric guitarists, it offers a strong entry point into System of a Down's technique, combining down-tuned rhythm work with the tight, choppy picking patterns that define their early sound.

  • "Sugar" was System of a Down's very first single, making it a landmark moment in the band's career and heavy metal history.
  • The song appears on the band's 1998 self-titled debut album, which established their signature blend of metal and unconventional arrangements.
  • Learning "Sugar" introduces guitarists to the down-tuned, percussive rhythm style central to System of a Down's overall guitar approach.
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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