GuitarDistortedRiff80% confidence
Money For Nothing (Live at Live Aid, Wembley Stadium, 13th July 1985) Guitar Tone Settings
Dire Straits & Sting · 1980s · rock
live
Original Recording
Guitar
1983 Gibson Les Paul '59 Reissue
Pickups
Gibson PAF-style humbuckers
Amp
Marshall JCM800 2203 head into Marshall 1960 4x12 cabinet
Pickup Position
Bridge pickup
Live performance at Wembley Stadium, Live Aid, July 13, 1985. Mark Knopfler is confirmed to have used the Les Paul '59 Reissue at this show (see Guitar World photo evidence). The JCM800 was his main live amp for this era. No evidence of additional gain pedals for the riff section; distortion is amp-driven. Wah pedal was used in the studio version but is not audibly engaged during the Live Aid riff.
Amp Settings
Mids7
Bass6.5
Gain6.5
Reverb2
Treble7
Presence6.5
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Tone Character
- thick and burnished
- British crunch
- midrange punch
- percussive attack
- singing sustain
- slightly nasal
- clear note separation
- dynamic and touch-sensitive
- arena-filling presence
- amp-driven distortion
Notes & Caveats
- No direct numeric amp settings for Live Aid found; settings estimated based on typical JCM800 usage for 80s rock and Knopfler's known tone.
- No evidence of additional pedals (overdrive, distortion, modulation) used for the riff section at Live Aid; all distortion is amp-driven.
- Wah pedal is used on the studio version but is not audibly engaged during the Live Aid riff section.
- Reverb is likely from the amp or venue, set low for clarity in a stadium setting.
- Settings cross-referenced with genre and era conventions for accuracy. Knopfler's 'Money For Nothing' Live Aid tone is classic British crunch with strong mids, moderate gain, and a slightly scooped but still present top end, likely from a JCM800 or similar amp. The live mix is dry with just a touch of reverb, and the settings reflect his preference for mid-forward, articulate, punchy rock tones.