GuitarDistortedSolo
Sultans of Swing (Live at Hammersmith Odeon, London, UK, 1983) Guitar Tone Settings
Dire Straits · 1980s · rock
live
Original Recording
Guitar
Fender Stratocaster (likely 1961, stock single coils, maple neck, rosewood board)
Pickups
Fender single-coil pickups (stock 1961 Stratocaster)
Amp
Music Man HD-130 (live, 1983 era)
Pickup Position
Position 2 (bridge + middle)
Live at Hammersmith Odeon, London, UK, 1983. Mark Knopfler used a Fender Stratocaster into a Music Man HD-130 amp for live performances in this era. No evidence of pedalboard use for this song/solo in this specific live context. Studio version used a Fender Vibrolux, but live in 1983, Music Man HD-130 is confirmed. No evidence of specific pedal use for the solo; effects are minimal and likely amp-based.
Amp Settings
Mids7
Bass6
Gain3.5
Reverb3
Treble7.5
Presence6
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Tone Character
- bright and glassy
- articulate and percussive
- touch-sensitive
- dynamic, responsive to picking strength
- slightly compressed highs
- clean with edge-of-breakup clarity
- singing, vocal-like phrasing
- clear note separation
- minimal sustain
- fast note decay
Sources
- Dire Straits – Sultans of Swing - Gear & Equipment Used on the Single | Equipboard
- "It’s not to do with gear, it’s all to do with the way the brain sends signals to his fingers – that’s what makes Mark so special": the story of the classic Dire Straits song that's often imitated, but rarely mastered | MusicRadar
- Dire Straits' "Sultans of Swing" | Mark Knopfler's Brilliant Outro Guitar Solo Dissected - InSync