Aerials

The recording

Daron Malakian recorded the guitar parts for "Aerials" in 2001 at Cello Studios in Hollywood. He used an Ibanez Iceman (most likely an IC300 or IC400) with stock humbucking pickups, selecting the bridge pickup and keeping the tone and volume knobs fully open. The signal was run through a Marshall JCM800 2203 head into a Marshall 4x12 cabinet, with all distortion coming from the amp; no effects pedals were used in the studio tone. Producer Rick Rubin and mix engineer Andy Wallace captured the tight, percussive rhythm and soaring lead tone in the final mix.

Reported gear

Ibanez Iceman (likely IC300/IC400)

Guitar

Malakian’s studio rhythm and lead parts were recorded on an Ibanez Iceman, the model he favored during the Toxicity era, equipped with stock high‑output humbuckers.

Marshall JCM800 2203

Amp

The distorted tone on the track was achieved with a Marshall JCM800 2203 head, providing the high‑gain, mid‑focused sound heard on the riff and solo.

Marshall 4x12 Cabinet

Cabinet

The amp was voiced through a classic Marshall 4×12 speaker cabinet, delivering the thick low end and articulate high‑mid response heard on the record.

Alternatives

Ibanez RG series

Modern equivalent · for the Ibanez Iceman (likely IC300/IC400)

$200 to $400

Marshall 1960 4x12 Cabinet

Reissue · for the Marshall 4x12 Cabinet

$800 to $1,200

Marshall JCM800 2203 Reissue

Reissue · for the Marshall JCM800 2203

$1,200 to $1,800

Practical playing approach

Recreation guidance, not a claim about undocumented studio control positions.

1. 1.Select the bridge pickup and turn the tone knob fully open.
2. 2.Attack the strings with a firm pick and use palm‑muted chugs for the rhythm sections.
3. 3.Add a touch of reverb only if you want extra ambience in the solo.