Other1999Supernatural

Smooth Amp Settings

by Santana

Get This ToneFree — no account needed

Original Recording Settings

partially-sourcedResearched tone data for "Smooth" by Santana

Original Gear

Guitar: PRS Santana signature-style guitar (late-1990s era; exact serial/year not documented in sources consulted)
Pickups: PRS Santana-style humbuckers (exact pickup model not documented in sources consulted) (neck)
Amplifier: Mesa Boogie (Santana’s long-used Boogie amp) + Dumble Overdrive Special + Dumble Steel String Singer (recorded simultaneously, per Santana)
Channel: Lead/overdrive voice for sustaining lines; blended multi-amp setup
Tuning: standard
Pickup Selector: neck
Strings: Unknown

Santana states he records three amplifiers at the same time: the Mesa Boogie he’d been playing since ’72 and two Dumbles (Overdrive Special and Steel String Singer).

Amp Settings

Gain

7.0

Bass

4.0

Mid

7.0

Treble

5.0

Presence

4.0

Master Volume

6.0

Volume

6.0

Sources consulted confirm the multi-amp concept but not exact knob positions; values reflect a mid-forward sustaining lead tone consistent with Santana’s long-term Mark I/Dumble blend.

Effects Chain

→

Studio/amp reverb (subtle; inferred)

reverb

→

1.Studio/amp reverb (subtle; inferred) — Santana is often relatively minimal with stomp effects; ambience is consistent with studio/amp reverb rather than heavy modulation. Exact reverb unit not documented in sources consulted.

Playing Technique

Pick with a rounded attack (not spiky), then sustain notes with strong left-hand vibrato and controlled feedback/sustain management. Phrase melodically with legato transitions where possible; the tone relies heavily on vibrato rate/width consistency and midrange-focused articulation.

Sources+

Vintage Guitar, "Carlos Santana" (interview; Santana describes recording three amps simultaneously: long-used Mesa Boogie plus two Dumbles)
Wikipedia, "Carlos Santana" (general amplifier/guitar summary; used for broad corroboration only, not per-track settings)