Lonely Day amp settings — Peavey Rage 158
The System Of A Down guitar tone for “Lonely Day”, dialed in for a Peavey Rage 158 with a Peavey Predator. Studio version, Hypnotize (2005)
Gibson SG Custom → MXR Phase 90 → Boss DD-6 → Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier / Friedman-modded Marshall JMP100
| Knob | Setting (0–10) |
|---|---|
| Gain | 2 |
| Bass | 6 |
| Mid | 7 |
| Treble | 5 |
| Presence | 0 |
| Reverb | 0 |
| Master | 5 |
01MXR Phase 90 (or similar phaser)
RECOMMENDED — not currently owned. Essential for the floating, wavering quality. A Behringer VP1 or Donner Jet Convolution are budget alternatives. Set speed slow for the dreamy drift.
02Boss DD-3 / DD-6 (or similar digital delay)
RECOMMENDED — not currently owned. Adds the spacious atmosphere. A Donner Yellow Fall or TC Electronic Echobrain gets you there. Mode 0 = standard digital delay; set time to quarter-note feel (~400ms).
The Rage 158 is a solid-state practice amp with limited headroom and a naturally bright, thin voice compared to the tube warmth of Malakian's Mesa/Marshall setup. Gain is set to 2 to keep the tone clean—any higher and this amp gets harsh, not warm. Mid is pushed to 7 to compensate for the Rage's naturally scooped character and to approximate the SG's thick midrange. Treble is dropped to 5 because the Rage's treble is ice-picky; the Predator's single coils add brightness the SG's humbuckers lack. Reverb is 0 because the original uses delay, not reverb, for space. Without the phaser and delay pedals, you will only get a clean tone—not the signature floating quality of this track.
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These settings are for a Peavey Rage 158. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.
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