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Riff Tone

Smooth (feat. Rob Thomas)

Santana

Guitarrock1990s

Original Gear

GuitarPRS Santana Signature (late 1990s, likely 1998-1999 model)
AmpMesa/Boogie Mark I (100-watt, snakeskin-covered, used in studio and live for 'Smooth')

Amp Settings

gain6.5
bass6.5

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Effects & Signal Chain

Notes

Studio recording, 1998-1999. Santana used his PRS Santana Signature guitar and his original Mesa/Boogie Mark I amp for the riff section of 'Smooth'. No evidence of Dumble or Bludotone amps on the studio recording for this song. Effects are minimal and primarily amp-based. No explicit pedal use confirmed for the riff section in the studio recording.

Tone Character(10)
warm and smoothsinging sustaincreamy overdrivethick midrangetouch-sensitiveslightly compressedfull-bodiedarticulatenot harshvocal-like

Difficulty

The riff requires intermediate rhythmic precision and dynamic control, but does not involve advanced lead techniques or fast runs. The main challenge is in the groove, articulation, and maintaining a smooth, singing tone.

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