Carlos Santana
Carlos Santana brought a uniquely hybrid sound — Mexican folk, Afro-Cuban rhythms and blues guitar — to the Woodstock stage in 1969 and has built one of the most recognisable guitar sounds in music history. His partnership with PRS guitars produced one of the most successful artist signature collaborations in the industry.
PRS guitar with covered humbuckers into Mesa/Boogie — warm, slightly compressed, supremely sustaining tone. The notes bloom and decay with a vocal quality that makes his playing immediately distinctive. Mesa/Boogie was partly designed around his ideal tone.
Guitars
PRS Santana II
Single cutaway with covered humbuckers. Bird inlays. Primary touring guitar.
Full specs & buy →Gibson L6-S
1973–1975Used on "Welcome" and mid-1970s recordings.
Yamaha SG-175
1976–1984Santana used Yamaha during his mid-period. Excellent sustain characteristics.
Amplifiers
Mesa/Boogie MkI (Prototype)
1970–1985Santana's discovery of Randall Smith's hot-rodded Fender helped launch Mesa/Boogie as a company. He is credited with naming the brand.
Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier
1990–presentModern primary amp — high-gain channel for sustaining lead tones.
Effects Pedals
Ibanez Tube Screamer
Moderate drive, level at unity — warms and sustains the Mesa/Boogie tone.
Boss CE-1 Chorus
Subtle chorus for depth on slower passages.
MXR Digital Delay
Moderate delay for sustain and depth on solos.
Key Albums & Tone
"Evil Ways" and Woodstock performance — SG into Mesa, warm Latin rock fusion.
"Oye Como Va" and "Black Magic Woman" — perfectly captured warm sustaining SG/Mesa tone.
"Smooth" — PRS into Mesa, refined, warm and commercial. Biggest-selling album of the year.
Frequently Asked Questions
What guitar does Carlos Santana use?
PRS Santana II and Gibson SG. Single cutaway with covered humbuckers. Bird inlays. Primary touring guitar.
What amp does Carlos Santana use?
Mesa/Boogie MkI (Prototype) and Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier. Santana's discovery of Randall Smith's hot-rodded Fender helped launch Mesa/Boogie as a company. He is credited with naming the brand.
What pedals does Carlos Santana use?
Carlos Santana uses Ibanez Tube Screamer, Boss CE-1 Chorus, MXR Digital Delay.
What is Carlos Santana's signature sound?
PRS guitar with covered humbuckers into Mesa/Boogie — warm, slightly compressed, supremely sustaining tone. The notes bloom and decay with a vocal quality that makes his playing immediately distinctive. Mesa/Boogie was partly designed around his ideal tone.