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Daron Malakian is the lead guitarist in the Armenian-American band System of a Down. Malakian has written most of the band's music, and, more recently, has taken on a large share of the vocal work for the band as well. He placed 30th in Guitar World's List of "The 100 Greatest Heavy Metal Guitarists Of All Time."
Our research (8 different resources) uncovered that Malakian's rig has consisted of a variety of different gear, especially amplifers. Daron Malakian however doesn't appear to be a big pedal users - he just uses a few powerful effects that do the trick for his sound.
Let's look at what gear and equipment has been seen in Daron Malakian's Guitar Rig.
 Click the gear images for info & specs at Musician's Friend
Guitars
-Ibanez Iceman guitars (Iceman 400 pictured below):
 
- Custom Ibanez IC 300's
- Ibanez ICX 120's
- Custom Ibanez IC 200's
- Ibanez DMM-1 Daron Malakian Signature Model
- Jackson Randy Rhodes RR5 (RR24 pictured below)
- Gibson Les Paul Standard (black)
 
- Gibson SG Standard (red)
 
- Fender Standard Stratocaster (black)
- 1962 Gibson SG (Mezmerize/Hypnotize)
- early Eighties Gibson Korina Flying Vs (Mezmerize/Hypnotize)
 
- 1964 Gibson SG Special (with P90 pickups)
 
- Fender Jazzmaster (Greek like sounds on Mezmerize/Hypnotize)
- double-neck Gibson SG
Amps and Cabinets
- Marshall MODE FOUR amplifier
- Mesa Boogie Dual Rectifier
- Mesa Boogie Triple Rectifier
- Marshall 1987X "Plexi"
- Orange Amplification
- Matchless Amplification
- Vox Amplification (not sure exact model)
- Ibanez Amplification (not sure exact model)
- Soldano Amplification
- Carvin Amplification
- Marshall MF 400 cabinets (the 1960a is pictured below - close enough!)
- Mesa Boogie Cabinets
- 100-watt Marshall JMP100 amp (Mezmerize/Hypnotize)
- Divided by 13 model FTR-37 amp (Greek like sounds on Mezmerize/Hypnotize)
Effects and other gear
- BOSS MT-2 Metal Zone
- Schaller Security Locks
- FullTone Clyde Wah Wah Pedal
- Line 6 DL-4 Delay Modeler Looper pedal
- MXR Phase 90
- Vox wah and 2 white Boss pedals? (seen in recent pic on Systems official website)
Strings and Picks
- Ernie Ball Skinny Top Heavy Bottom .10-.52 gauge strings (on the Ernie Ball site as endorsers)
- Ernie Ball .12-.60 Baritone strings
- Jim Dunlop Delrin Triangle .43mm & .96mm picks. In 2008 an article stated he began using the dunlop Tortex triangles instead of previous fender Triangles.
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Comments
i think i see a vox wah pedal and some digitech hardwire pedals...
not quite sure though
I am pretty damn sure those combos were Traynor 40w Custom Valves. Got a great look at them @ SNL stage. Could be wrong but if you look up the footage should give you a good look.
Also, I believe when touring with Mes/Hypno, he used Marshall Bluesbreaker combos. They were probably boosted or modded to give it some extra gain.
When I saw him Plat at the Troubador in May he had a Fulltone Wah a Boss DD Pedal not sure which and a Phase 90. I dont recall him seeing any distortion Pedals on his board
Check this out.
and also used an iceman II for the lowlands and a few others, he also used a custom iceman ic-50 made instead of a toglle switch a 4th knob that changes configuration. and he also uses a black sg with gold hardware, and custom bass grovers on every guitar almost, for sure on all sg's! Daron Malakian FSU!
3-4 different Gibson SG's including one with tripple pickups were used the entire concert.
Does anyone know if the pickups in these SG'S where stock?
:cheer: