Tone library / Dire straights / Money for nothing

Money for nothing amp settings — Vox AC15C1

The Dire straights guitar tone for “Money for nothing”, dialed in for a Vox AC15C1 with a Gibson Les Paul Special. Studio version, Brothers in Arms (1985)

Original rig

1958 Gibson Les Paul Standard / Junior into a Laney AOR/combo amp with accidental out-of-phase room/close mic placement

Nasal, cocked-wah midrange honk with thick British crunch and tight low end
Amp settings — Vox AC15C1
CHANNELTop Boost
GAIN 8 BASS 4 TREBLE 4 REVERB 2 MASTER 7
KnobSetting (0–10)
Gain8
Bass4
Treble4
Reverb2
Master7
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Guitar
PICKUPbridge TONE5 VOLUME10
Signal chain

01Wah Pedal (Cry Baby / Vox Wah)

RECOMMENDED — not currently owned; leave fixed/parked at ~60% sweep to replicate the out-of-phase mic honk

Position 6
Why these settings

The AC15C1 lacks a dedicated Mid control and naturally delivers chimey top end rather than the nasal, phase-cancelled Laney crunch from the studio track. Running the Top Boost channel with gain pushed to 8 provides the necessary British breakup, while rolling the Tone Cut on the amp to around 6 and your guitar tone knob down to 5 rounds off the piercing highs and fakes the cocked-wah midrange peak. Once you acquire a wah pedal, park it halfway forward into the clean channel for the exact vocal filter effect.

PRO TIPDitch the plectrum entirely and pluck the opening riff using your bare thumb and index finger with a slight pop to achieve Knopfler's signature percussive attack.

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These settings are for a Vox AC15C1. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.

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