Artist
3 songs, each with a starting point and the rig from its sources
Tonelify's library has 3 Santana songs, each with the rig reported in interviews and articles and a reference starting point on a generic five-knob amp. All 3 songs start at the same position, Gain 5.5, Bass 5, Middle 8, Treble 5, Presence 5, Reverb 3, because a starting point follows the style of the part and these share one, so the effects and the playing are what set them apart.
The numbers below are the same ones each song page gives. The rig for each song is on its own page with the sources it comes from.
Every song on this page, grouped by the starting point it shares, with the same numbers as the song pages. Open it full size to print, or save it for later.
A singing, sustained humbucker lead that trades phrases with the vocal.
Start at Gain 5.5, Bass 5, Middle 8, Treble 5, Presence 5, Reverb 3, with the neck pickup for body, bridge if the lead needs to cut.
A sustaining, overdriven minor-key lead with bends and controlled feedback.
Start at Gain 5.5, Bass 5, Middle 8, Treble 5, Presence 5, Reverb 3, with the neck pickup for body, bridge if the lead needs to cut.
A singing, sustained instrumental lead over a circle-of-fifths progression.
Start at Gain 5.5, Bass 5, Middle 8, Treble 5, Presence 5, Reverb 3, with the neck pickup for body, bridge if the lead needs to cut.
These are positions on a generic five-knob amp with gain, bass, middle, treble and presence, each running 0 to 10. They are a starting point, not the settings used on the record, and they will not transfer unchanged to an amp with a different gain structure or EQ voicing.
| Song | Guitar and amp |
|---|---|
| Smooth | PRS Santana II, the 'Supernatural' guitar he says he played on most of the albumTwo amps switched with his own pedal (album: Marshalls, Mesa/Boogies and Fender Twins) |
| Black Magic Woman | 1968 Gibson Les Paul Custom, per Guitar Player (Vintage Guitar names an SG Special with P-90s for the album)Album rig: modified Fender Twin Reverbs played at full volume |
| Europa | Not documented for this takeNot documented; the Mesa/Boogie was his amp of the decade (Guitar Player) |
Tonelify reads each of these chains and translates it to the amp and guitar you already own. Adapt one in the tone matcher →
On a generic five-knob amp, Smooth, Black Magic Woman and Europa all start at Gain 5.5, Bass 5, Middle 8, Treble 5, Presence 5, Reverb 3: a starting point follows the style of the part, and these share one. These are starting points, not the settings used on the records.
Smooth: PRS Santana II, the 'Supernatural' guitar he says he played on most of the album; Two amps switched with his own pedal (album: Marshalls, Mesa/Boogies and Fender Twins). Black Magic Woman: 1968 Gibson Les Paul Custom, per Guitar Player (Vintage Guitar names an SG Special with P-90s for the album); Album rig: modified Fender Twin Reverbs played at full volume. Europa: Not documented for this take; Not documented; the Mesa/Boogie was his amp of the decade (Guitar Player). Each song page lists the sources behind its rig.
Yes. What carries these sounds is the gain structure, the EQ curve, the pickup position and the order of the effects, and all four can be rebuilt on other equipment. Tonelify rewrites each starting point for the amp and guitar you own.
