Aerials by System of a Down — Amp Settings & Guitar Tone

Reference tone dialed on a Squier Classic Vibe Stratocaster into a Fender Mustang LT25. Settings below are cited from real sources; open the page in a browser for the interactive version, or get this tone dialed for your exact gear.

To recreate the tone of 'Aerials' by System of a Down, we'll use the Fender Mustang LT25's modeling capabilities to approximate a high-gain Mesa/Boogie sound. The Squier Classic Vibe '60s Stratocaster will stand in for the humbucker-equipped guitar, with adjustments to compensate for its single-coil pickups. We'll focus on achieving a tight, aggressive tone with clear articulation, suitable for both heavy riffs and melodic passages.

Signal chain settings

Squier Classic Vibe '60s Stratocaster — Main guitar

Control	Setting	Why
5-Position Blade Switch	Bridge Pickup	Select the bridge pickup for a brighter, more aggressive tone that cuts through the mix.
Master Volume	10	Guitar volume full up — roll back to clean up the gain or drop level.
Tone 1	Leave at default	Not used for the bridge pickup.
Tone 2	Leave at default	Not used for this tone as we focus on the bridge pickup.

Fender Mustang LT25 — Main amp

Control	Setting	Why
Preset Select	11 METAL LEAD	Best starting point for a high-gain tone similar to a Mesa/Boogie.
Gain	7	Increase from the preset to achieve tight, saturated distortion.
Volume	5	Set to balance with the band mix without overpowering.
Treble	6	Enhance brightness and articulation without harshness.
Bass	4	Slightly reduced to prevent muddiness and maintain clarity.
Master	5	Adjust for overall loudness control.
Cabinet build	Not used	Not needed for this tone — leave it off.
Amp Models	Not used	Not needed for this tone — leave it off.

Section guide — how the tone changes through the song

Clean Intro

Switch to a clean tone for the intro to create a spacious atmosphere.

the pedal: Preset Select → 13 SUPER DRYCLEAN
the pedal: Gain → 3
the pedal: Treble → 5
the pedal: Bass → 5

What System of a Down actually used

System of a Down's 'Aerials' was recorded at Cello Studios in Hollywood, California, with production by Rick Rubin and Daron Malakian. The recording features Daron Malakian on guitar and vocals, Serj Tankian on vocals and keyboards, Shavo Odadjian on bass, and John Dolmayan on drums. The song showcases the band's signature alternative metal sound, blending heavy guitar riffs with melodic elements.

Ibanez Iceman IC300 — main. Standard tuning
Marshall JCM800 — main. Settings unknown
Boss DS-1 Distortion — main. Settings unknown

Tuning: Standard

Sources