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lead guitar from “smooth” by santana | ToneDB

smooth

santana

lead guitar

AI generatedv1.0

Tone Profile

The lead guitar tone is smooth, warm, and singing, with a clear, sustained quality and a touch of overdrive. It's designed to be melodic and expressive, fitting the Latin-infused rock style.

Gear

PRS Santana Signatureinstrument
Reverb$2899Sweetwater
Mesa/Boogie Mark Iamp
ReverbSweetwater
Shure SM57microphone
ReverbSweetwater
Ibanez Tube Screamerprocessing
ReverbSweetwater
Lexicon PCM42processing
ReverbSweetwater

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The Story

Carlos Santana's lead guitar tone on "Smooth" was recorded using his signature PRS guitar through a Mesa/Boogie Mark I amplifier, with an Ibanez Tube Screamer providing additional sustain and midrange boost. The track was recorded at Fantasy Studios in Berkeley with producer Matt Serletic and engineer Andrew Zammit. The setup was close-miked with a Shure SM57, and a Lexicon PCM42 was used for delay effects to add depth to the singing, sustained tone.

Production Credits

Producer: Matt Serletic

Engineer: Andrew Zammit

Recorded at: Fantasy Studios, Berkeley, CA

Signal Chain

Instrument: PRS Santana Signature

Amp: Mesa/Boogie Mark I

Microphone: Shure SM57

Processing: Ibanez Tube Screamer, Lexicon PCM42

Recreation Tips

  • Start with a PRS-style guitar with humbuckers for a similar base tone.
  • Use a Mesa/Boogie Mark series amp or an amp modeler with similar characteristics.
  • An Ibanez Tube Screamer or similar overdrive pedal can help achieve the singing sustain.
  • Experiment with delay to add dimension and depth to the sound.
  • Adjust EQ to emphasize the midrange frequencies for a clear and cutting tone.

Original Gear

  • PRS Santana Signature(guitar)
  • Mesa/Boogie Mark I(amp)
  • Ibanez Tube Screamer(pedal)
  • Shure SM57(mic)
  • Lexicon PCM42(pedal)

Substitutions & Recommendations

PRS SE Santana$800-$900

Alternative to: PRS Santana Signature

Modern version of Santana's signature guitar with the same humbucker configuration and 24.5" scale length that produces his characteristic warm, singing tone

ReverbSweetwater
Mesa/Boogie Mark Five: 35$1,800-$2,200

Alternative to: Mesa/Boogie Mark I

Modern Mark series amp that captures the singing sustain and warm overdrive character of the original Mark I in a more compact format

ReverbSweetwater
Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamer$100-$150

Alternative to: Ibanez Tube Screamer

Current production version of the same overdrive pedal that provides the midrange boost and singing sustain essential to Santana's lead tone

ReverbSweetwater
Neural DSP Archetype: Petrucci$100-$130

Alternative to: Mesa/Boogie Mark I

Includes accurate Mesa/Boogie Mark series amp modeling with similar gain structure and tonal characteristics for the warm, singing lead tone

ReverbSweetwater
Strymon El Capistan$250-$300

Alternative to: Lexicon PCM42

High-quality tape echo emulation that can recreate the subtle delay and modulation that adds depth to Santana's lead tone

ReverbSweetwater

Sources

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