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lead guitar from “oye como va” by santana | ToneDB

oye como va

santana

lead guitar

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Tone Profile

The lead guitar tone is smooth and sustained, with a singing quality that emphasizes melody and emotion. It's a warm, overdriven sound that blends Latin rhythms with rock sensibilities.

Gear

Yamaha SG2000instrument
Reverb$1931Sweetwater
Mesa/Boogie Mark Iamp
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Shure SM57microphone
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The Story

Carlos Santana recorded his lead guitar parts using his Yamaha SG2000 through a Mesa/Boogie Mark I amplifier, captured with a Shure SM57 microphone. The session was engineered and produced by Fred Catero at Columbia Studios in San Francisco. The Mark I's smooth overdrive and natural compression, combined with the SG2000's humbucker pickups, created Santana's signature warm, singing sustain that became his trademark sound.

Production Credits

Producer: Fred Catero

Engineer: Fred Catero

Recorded at: Columbia Studios, San Francisco

Signal Chain

Instrument: Yamaha SG2000

Amp: Mesa/Boogie Mark I

Microphone: Shure SM57

Recreation Tips

  • Start with a guitar that has a warm, sustained tone, like a Yamaha SG2000 or similar humbucker-equipped guitar.
  • Use a Mesa/Boogie Mark I or similar amp known for its smooth overdrive and sustain.
  • Experiment with different overdrive and EQ settings on the amp to find the sweet spot that balances warmth and clarity.
  • Use a Shure SM57 or similar dynamic microphone to capture the amp's sound.
  • Consider blending a direct input signal with the amp signal for added clarity and punch.
  • Focus on playing with smooth, expressive phrasing and vibrato to capture Santana's signature style.

Original Gear

  • Yamaha SG2000(guitar)
  • Mesa/Boogie Mark I(amp)
  • Shure SM57(mic)

Substitutions & Recommendations

PRS SE Santana$800-$900

Alternative to: Yamaha SG2000

Designed with Santana's input, features similar humbucker tone and sustain characteristics as his SG2000

ReverbSweetwater
Mesa/Boogie Mark Five 35$1800-$2000

Alternative to: Mesa/Boogie Mark I

Modern Mark series amp that retains the smooth overdrive and singing sustain of the original Mark I

ReverbSweetwater
Neural DSP Archetype Petrucci$110-$140

Alternative to: Mesa/Boogie Mark I

Includes accurate Mesa/Boogie Mark series modeling with the creamy overdrive essential to Santana's tone

ReverbSweetwater
Epiphone Les Paul Standard$400-$500

Alternative to: Yamaha SG2000

Budget option with dual humbuckers that can deliver similar warm, sustained tones when properly set up

ReverbSweetwater
Shure SM57$100-$110

Alternative to: Shure SM57

The same microphone used on the original recording, still the industry standard for guitar amps

ReverbSweetwater

Sources

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