Riff Tone
Black Magic Woman / Gypsy Queen
Santana
Guitarrock1970s
Original Gear
GuitarGibson Les Paul Standard (late 1960s, likely 1968-69, with PAF humbuckers)
AmpMesa/Boogie Mark I (prototype, early model, late 1960s/early 1970s)
PickupsGibson PAF humbuckers
Amp Settings
gain5.5
bass7.5
mid7.5
treble6
reverb4
presence6
Effects & Signal Chain
No effects used for this tone
Notes
Studio recording, 1970, Abraxas album. Santana used a Gibson Les Paul Standard with PAF humbuckers into an early Mesa/Boogie Mark I amp. No evidence of pedals for the riff section; overdrive is from amp. Pickup selector set to neck. All info specific to studio version, riff section.
Tone Character(10)
warm and roundsinging sustainsmooth overdrivefull-bodiedvocal-liketouch-sensitivemellow top endrich harmonic contentslightly compressedfluid legato phrasing
Difficulty
The riff requires intermediate technique, with smooth legato, expressive vibrato, and dynamic control for sustain and phrasing, but does not involve advanced speed or complex chord work.
Sources
Create an account to adapt this tone to your gear
Create Free AccountGuitarrock1970s
Original Gear
GuitarGibson Les Paul Standard (late 1960s, likely 1968-69, with PAF humbuckers)
AmpMesa/Boogie Mark I (prototype, early model, late 1960s/early 1970s)
PickupsGibson PAF humbuckers
Amp Settings
gain5.5
bass7.5
mid7.5
treble6
reverb4
presence6
Effects & Signal Chain
No effects used for this tone
Notes
Studio recording, 1970, Abraxas album. Santana used a Gibson Les Paul Standard with PAF humbuckers into an early Mesa/Boogie Mark I amp. No evidence of pedals for the riff section; overdrive is from amp. Pickup selector set to neck. All info specific to studio version, riff section.
Tone Character(10)
warm and roundsinging sustainsmooth overdrivefull-bodiedvocal-liketouch-sensitivemellow top endrich harmonic contentslightly compressedfluid legato phrasing
Difficulty
The riff requires intermediate technique, with smooth legato, expressive vibrato, and dynamic control for sustain and phrasing, but does not involve advanced speed or complex chord work.
Black Magic Woman / Gypsy Queen settings for your amp
Exact settings ToneAdapt players use on these amps.
More Santana tones
- Europa (Earth's Cry Heaven's Smile) · riff
- Smooth (feat. Rob Thomas) · riff
- Black Magic Woman · riff
- Corazón Espinado (feat. Maná) · riff
- Smooth (feat. Rob Thomas) · solo
- Flor d'Luna (Moonflower) · solo
- Samba Pa' Ti · riff
- (Da Le) Yaleo · solo
- Black Magic Woman · solo
- Black Magic Woman · solo