GuitarDistortedRiff
Maria Riff Guitar Tone Settings — Blondie
Blondie · 1990s · rock
studio
Original Recording
Guitar
Gibson Les Paul (exact model for studio recording not confirmed, but Les Pauls are visible in Blondie live and promo photos from the 'Maria' era; no evidence for Strats or Teles on this track)
Pickups
Humbucker (likely Gibson stock humbuckers, model not specified for this recording)
Amp
Mesa/Boogie Triple Rectifier (Chris Stein's main amp for Blondie in the late 1990s, used for crunch channel in live and likely studio; no evidence of other amps for this song's riff)
Pickup Position
Bridge pickup
Settings and gear are inferred from live rig rundowns and era-correct interviews; no direct studio documentation for 'Maria' found. All evidence points to Chris Stein using a Les Paul into a Mesa/Boogie Rectifier for both live and studio in the late 1990s. Studio recording, 1998-1999.
Amp Settings
Mids6.5
Bass6
Gain5
Reverb3
Treble7
Presence5.5
Effects Chain
- Ibanez Tube Screamer (likely TS9 or TS808, model not specified) · overdrive
- Boss CS-3 Compressor/Sustainer · compression
- Delay pedal (model unknown, likely Seymour Duncan Deja Vu Tap Delay or Boss DD-5) · delay
Guitar → Ibanez Tube Screamer → Boss CS-3 Compressor/Sustainer → Delay pedal (model unknown) → Mesa/Boogie Rectifier (crunch channel, spring reverb)
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Tone Character
- midrange-forward
- crunchy and articulate
- tight and punchy attack
- slightly gritty edge
- clear note separation
- warm but present
- not overly saturated
- dynamic response
- compressed but not squashed
- modern alternative rock flavor