GuitarDistortedRiff
Samba Pa Ti Riff Guitar Tone Settings — Santana
Santana · 1970s · rock
studio
Original Recording
Guitar
Gibson SG Special (early 1970s, likely 1968-1970 model)
Pickups
Gibson P-90 single coils
Amp
Mesa/Boogie Mark I
Pickup Position
Neck pickup
Studio recording, 1970, Abraxas album. All evidence and consensus indicate Santana used his red Gibson SG Special with P-90s into a Mesa/Boogie Mark I for the riff section of 'Samba Pa Ti'. No evidence of live/touring gear or later PRS models for this recording.
Amp Settings
Mids7.5
Bass6.5
Gain5
Reverb5
Treble6
Presence5.5
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Tone Character
- warm and smooth
- singing sustain
- fluid and expressive
- mellow highs
- touch-sensitive
- violin-like legato
- rounded, not harsh
- rich midrange
- slightly overdriven
- vocal-like phrasing