🎸 Artist tone guide

How to get Dire Straits's guitar tone

Dire Straits across 6 famous tones — mostly through Fender Silverface Vibrolux Reverb, Laney amplifier, Soldano SLO-100 Super Lead Overdrive, 1960s Fender Vibrolux, with humbuckers. Here is where to start, then adapt any of it to the guitar and amp you actually own.

Starting point (averaged): gain 4 · bass 6 · mid 6 · treble 6.5 · presence 5.5 (out of 10)
🎛️ Get Dire Straits's tones on YOUR rig — free →

Dire Straits's go-to amps

Fender Silverface Vibrolux Reverb ×1Laney amplifier ×1Soldano SLO-100 Super Lead Overdrive ×11960s Fender Vibrolux ×1

6 famous Dire Straits tones

Money for Nothing
gain 6 · bass 6 · mid 5 · treble 6
Heavy Fuel (Live Album Version)
gain 5.5 · bass 6 · mid 7 · treble 6.5
Money for Nothing
gain 4.5 · bass 6.5 · mid 6 · treble 6
Sultans of Swing (Live at Hammersmith Odeon, London, UK, 1983)
gain 3.5 · bass 5.5 · mid 6.5 · treble 7.5
Brothers in Arms
gain 3.5 · bass 5.5 · mid 6.5 · treble 5.5
Sultans of Swing
gain 0 · bass 6 · mid 4.5 · treble 7.5

Rock amp settings

Dire Straits is a rock staple. See the best amp settings for rock — averaged EQ, go-to amps and a full how-to.

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How to get Dire Straits's tone — FAQ

What amp settings does Dire Straits use?

Averaged across 6 of their tones: gain 4, bass 6, mid 6, treble 6.5, presence 5.5 (out of 10). Adapt to your own amp.

What gear do I need to sound like Dire Straits?

They favour Fender Silverface Vibrolux Reverb, Laney amplifier, Soldano SLO-100 Super Lead Overdrive, 1960s Fender Vibrolux with humbuckers. You do not need the exact rig — GuitarToneAdapt re-dials their tones for the guitar and amp you already own, free.

How do I get Dire Straits's guitar tone?

Start with their go-to gear (Fender Silverface Vibrolux Reverb, Laney amplifier, Soldano SLO-100 Super Lead Overdrive, 1960s Fender Vibrolux and humbuckers) and a starting EQ of gain 4, bass 6, mid 6, treble 6.5, presence 5.5 (out of 10), then dial in any of the 6 songs below. GuitarToneAdapt adapts each one to the exact amp and guitar you own, free.

Can I get Dire Straits's tone on a different amp or guitar?

Yes. You do not need their exact rig — GuitarToneAdapt models how their gear shapes the sound and compensates for whatever amp, guitar and pedals you already have, free in the browser.

Settings are community-researched estimates. Adapt any to your gear at GuitarToneAdapt · amp settings · all 1,200+ tones.