GuitarDistortedRiff
Samba Pa' Ti Riff Guitar Tone Settings — Santana
Santana · 1970s · rock
studio
Original Recording
Guitar
Gibson SG Special (late 1960s, P-90 pickups, cherry finish)
Pickups
Gibson P-90 single coil
Amp
Mesa/Boogie Mark I (prototype, early version, combo)
Pickup Position
Neck pickup
Studio recording, 1970, Abraxas album. Santana used a late 60s Gibson SG Special with P-90s into an early Mesa/Boogie Mark I prototype. No evidence of pedals on the original studio riff section; amp was likely cranked for sustain and overdrive. Pickup selector on neck pickup for the riff.
Amp Settings
Mids7
Bass6.5
Gain6
Reverb3.5
Treble6
Presence5.5
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Tone Character
- warm and smooth
- singing sustain
- liquid, violin-like lead
- rich midrange
- touch-sensitive
- mellow and expressive
- slightly overdriven
- not harsh or brittle
- classic Santana singing lead
- dynamic and emotive