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System Of A Down - B.Y.O.B. - Guitar Tab

Sections · Loop · Speed · Metronome

Not in tune?

Select a Loop

Start of your loop
End of your loop

Speed Control

Speed
100%

Tools

BPM
Key D minor
System Of A Down - B.Y.O.B. guitar tab video
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Amp Settings

Classic Rock

Gain6
Bass6
Mid7
Treble6
Presence5
Master7
AI tone preset

AI-selected preset based on genre and era — adjust the knobs to taste.

Roll back the gain slightly and pick near the neck for a warmer, more open crunch.
System Of A Down Nu Metal D minor
Capo Advisor 0 D minor · Original key

About B.Y.O.B.

B.Y.O.B. by System Of A Down is a heavy alternative metal track known for its aggressive riffing and unconventional song structure. The song features thick, downtuned guitar work that challenges players with its rhythmic precision and dynamic shifts. Learning this track builds proficiency in palm-muted power chords and syncopated rhythmic patterns essential to modern metal.

  • System Of A Down uses heavily downtuned guitars, requiring adjusted string tension and intonation techniques.
  • The song employs syncopated rhythms and unexpected breaks, making timing accuracy critical for accurate reproduction.
  • B.Y.O.B. demonstrates how unconventional song structures can drive impact in heavy music composition and arrangement.

How to Play B.Y.O.B.

Tuning: Drop D · Key: D minor · Tempo: 140 BPM

The drop D tuning lets you fret the low power chords with a single finger, which is central to the heavier riffing here.

Use the section loop to isolate a passage, drop the speed below 100%, and set the metronome to 140 BPM to build it up to tempo.

Gibson SG Standard
Guitar

Gibson SG Standard

Daron Malakian's signature guitar for SOAD's classic era, the SG's bright midrange cuts through Drop C tuning without muddiness while its lightweight body delivers the aggressive, cutting tone on Toxicity. The dual humbuckers provide thick saturation for heavy riffs while maintaining clarity for melodic passages.

Marshall JCM800
Amp

Marshall JCM800

The JCM800 would deliver the tight, focused high-gain crunch that defined early SOAD, though Malakian favored the JCM900 for its superior midrange bite to cut through Serj's vocals and the band's dense arrangements.

Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier
Amp

Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier

Malakian uses this amp to thicken SOAD's low-end on select studio tracks and heavier passages, adding additional bottom-end depth to the Marshall's midrange focus while maintaining the clarity needed for palm-muted riffing in Drop C.

Dunlop Cry Baby Wah
Pedal

Dunlop Cry Baby Wah

Malakian's sole primary effects pedal, the Cry Baby adds filtered lead textures and specific riff coloration to SOAD's sound while staying minimal, keeping the focus on the guitar, amp gain, and Drop C tuning that defines their signature tone.