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Riff Tone
Maria
Blondie
Guitarrock1990s
Original Gear
GuitarGibson Les Paul (exact model for studio recording not confirmed, but Les Pauls are visible in Blondie live and promo photos from the 'Maria' era; no evidence for Strats or Teles on this track)
AmpMesa/Boogie Triple Rectifier (Chris Stein's main amp for Blondie in the late 1990s, used for crunch channel in live and likely studio; no evidence of other amps for this song's riff)
Amp Settings
gain5
bass6
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Notes
Settings and gear are inferred from live rig rundowns and era-correct interviews; no direct studio documentation for 'Maria' found. All evidence points to Chris Stein using a Les Paul into a Mesa/Boogie Rectifier for both live and studio in the late 1990s. Studio recording, 1998-1999.
Tone Character(10)
midrange-forwardcrunchy and articulatetight and punchy attackslightly gritty edgeclear note separationwarm but presentnot overly saturateddynamic responsecompressed but not squashedmodern alternative rock flavor
Difficulty
The riff requires tight timing, syncopated chord stabs, and precise palm muting, but does not involve advanced lead techniques or complex chord voicings.
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Create Free AccountGuitarrock1990s
Original Gear
GuitarGibson Les Paul (exact model for studio recording not confirmed, but Les Pauls are visible in Blondie live and promo photos from the 'Maria' era; no evidence for Strats or Teles on this track)
AmpMesa/Boogie Triple Rectifier (Chris Stein's main amp for Blondie in the late 1990s, used for crunch channel in live and likely studio; no evidence of other amps for this song's riff)
Amp Settings
gain5
bass6
Create an account to see all tone details
Create Free AccountEffects & Signal Chain
Notes
Settings and gear are inferred from live rig rundowns and era-correct interviews; no direct studio documentation for 'Maria' found. All evidence points to Chris Stein using a Les Paul into a Mesa/Boogie Rectifier for both live and studio in the late 1990s. Studio recording, 1998-1999.
Tone Character(10)
midrange-forwardcrunchy and articulatetight and punchy attackslightly gritty edgeclear note separationwarm but presentnot overly saturateddynamic responsecompressed but not squashedmodern alternative rock flavor
Difficulty
The riff requires tight timing, syncopated chord stabs, and precise palm muting, but does not involve advanced lead techniques or complex chord voicings.