Riff Tone

Maria

Blondie

Guitarrock1990s

Original Gear

GuitarGibson 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)

AmpMesa/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)

PickupsHumbucker (likely Gibson stock humbuckers, model not specified for this recording)

Amp Settings

gain5

bass6

mid6.5

treble7

reverb3

presence5.5

Effects & Signal Chain

overdriveIbanez Ibanez Tube Screamer (likely TS9 or TS808, model not specified)

compressionBoss Boss CS-3 Compressor/Sustainer

delayUnknown Delay pedal (model unknown, likely Seymour Duncan Deja Vu Tap Delay or Boss DD-5)

Notes

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.

Tone Character(10)

midrange-forwardcrunchy and articulatetight and punchy attackslightly gritty edgeclear note separationwarm but presentnot overly saturateddynamic responsecompressed but not squashedmodern alternative rock flavor

Difficulty

The riff requires tight timing, syncopated chord stabs, and precise palm muting, but does not involve advanced lead techniques or complex chord voicings.

Sources

Rig Rundown - Blondie's Chris Stein and Tommy Kessler

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