Riff Tone

Oye Como Va

Santana

Guitarrock1970s

Original Gear

GuitarGibson SG Special (early 1970s, likely 1968-1970, stock P-90s)

AmpMesa/Boogie Mark I (prototype, early production, snakeskin-covered, 100-watt head)

PickupsGibson P-90 single coils

Amp Settings

gain6

bass6.5

mid7.5

treble6.5

reverb3.5

presence5.5

Effects & Signal Chain

No effects used for this tone

Notes

Studio recording, Abraxas album (1970). Santana used his Gibson SG Special with P-90s into a Mesa/Boogie Mark I prototype. No evidence of PRS or Dumble on this specific recording. Minimal pedal use; most tone from amp and guitar. Wah pedal not used in riff section.

Tone Character(10)

warm, midrange-focusedsmooth and sustainingslightly compressedfat, round notesvocal-like phrasingtouch-sensitiveclear note separationnot overly brightslightly gritty edgesinging sustain

Difficulty

The riff requires solid rhythmic feel and articulation, but is not technically demanding in terms of speed or advanced techniques. The main challenge is capturing the groove and expressive phrasing.

Sources

Rig Rundown: Carlos Santana - Premier Guitar Santana Discusses "Shape Shifter" & Spiritual Passion - Premier Guitar Decoding Carlos Santana’s supernatural soloing style | Guitar World Santana-Type Tone using Clean Amp and SC's? (The Gear Page)

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