Chop Suey!

The recording

Chop Suey! was recorded at Cello Studios in Hollywood with producer Rick Rubin and co‑producer Daron Malakian, and mixed by Andy Wallace. Malakian tracked his rhythm parts on a 1962 Gibson SG through a cranked Marshall 1959 Plexi, later blended with a Mesa/Boogie Dual/Triple Rectifier to thicken the distortion. Lead sections were captured with an Ibanez Iceman IC300 using the same signal chain. A MXR Phase 90 modulation pedal and a Boss DD‑6 digital delay were placed before the amps to add subtle movement and a short repeat. The guitars were tuned to Drop C and strung with .048–.050 gauge strings to ensure tight low‑end articulation.

Tuning Drop C (C–G–C–F–A–D)·Strings Ernie Ball Heavy Bottom/Light Top .048–.050

Reported gear

1962 Gibson SG

Guitar

Malakian used a 1962 Gibson SG, routed through the bridge pickup, for the chugging main riff in Chop Suey!. The vintage humbuckers give a thick, aggressive low‑mid response.

Ibanez Iceman IC300

Guitar

For the solo and lead passages, Malakian switched to an Ibanez Iceman IC300, delivering a tighter high‑end attack that cuts through the layered distortion.

MXR Phase 90

Modulation

A MXR Phase 90 was placed after the guitar to add a subtle swirling texture on the clean boost portion of the tone.

Boss DD‑6

Delay

A Boss DD‑6 digital delay provided a short repeat used on the outro arpeggios, adding depth without cluttering the mix.

Marshall 1959 Plexi Super Lead

Amp

The core distortion was achieved by cranking a Marshall 1959 Plexi Super Lead, delivering aggressive mids and a tight, compressed high‑gain tone.

Mesa/Boogie Dual/Triple Rectifier

Amp

A Mesa/Boogie Dual/Triple Rectifier was layered beneath the Plexi, adding extra low‑end punch and tighter compression to the guitar tone.

Marshall 4×12 Cabinet (Celestion)

Cabinet

The Plexi fed a Marshall 4×12 cabinet loaded with Celestion speakers, delivering a focused, roaring sound that sits front‑and‑center in the mix.

Mesa/Boogie 412 Cabinet (Celestion Vintage 30)

Cabinet

The Rectifier chain was routed through a Mesa/Boogie 412 cabinet with Celestion Vintage 30 speakers, shaping the low‑frequency response and adding clarity to the heavy riffs.

Alternatives

Gibson SG Standard

Modern equivalent · for the 1962 Gibson SG

$1,500 to $2,800

Marshall 1959 Plexi Reissue

Reissue · for the Marshall 1959 Plexi Super Lead

$2,500 to $3,500

Ibanez RG550

Modern equivalent · for the Ibanez Iceman IC300

$900 to $1,200

Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier Reissue

Reissue · for the Mesa/Boogie Dual/Triple Rectifier

$2,300 to $3,200

MXR Phase 90

Still made · for the MXR Phase 90

$80 to $100

Marshall 1960 4x12 Cabinet (Celestion)

Reissue · for the Marshall 4×12 Cabinet (Celestion)

$600 to $900

Boss DD‑6

Still made · for the Boss DD‑6

$120 to $150

Mesa/Boogie 412 Cabinet (Celestion Vintage 30)

Still made · for the Mesa/Boogie 412 Cabinet (Celestion Vintage 30)

$600 to $900

Practical playing approach

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

1. 1.Palm‑mute the low strings tightly to lock the rhythm
2. 2.Use alternate picking for the fast arpeggiated sections
3. 3.Select the bridge pickup for maximum bite
4. 4.Keep the guitar tuned to Drop C and use heavy .048–.050 strings for stability
5. 5.Apply slight vibrato on lead notes for added expression