GuitarDistortedRiff
Smooth (feat. Rob Thomas) Riff Guitar Tone Settings — Santana
Santana · 1990s · rock
studio
Original Recording
Guitar
PRS Santana Signature (late 1990s/early 2000s model, likely with Brazilian rosewood neck)
Pickups
PRS Santana Signature humbuckers
Amp
Mesa/Boogie Mark I
Pickup Position
Neck pickup
Studio recording for 'Smooth' (1999). Santana was using his PRS signature guitar and Mesa/Boogie Mark I amp for the Supernatural album. No evidence of live/touring substitutions for the studio version. No evidence of additional amp layering or alternate guitars for the riff section.
Amp Settings
Mids7
Bass6.5
Gain6
Reverb3.5
Treble6.5
Presence6
Effects Chain
- Overdrive pedal (model unknown, possibly amp gain only) · overdrive
PRS Santana Signature → (optional boost/overdrive pedal) → Mesa/Boogie Mark I (with spring reverb)
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Tone Character
- warm and smooth
- singing sustain
- slightly compressed
- fluid and expressive
- clear note separation
- touch-sensitive
- mild amp breakup
- not overly saturated
- round neck pickup tone
- medium output, dynamic response