Tone library / Dire straits / Sultan of swings

Sultan of swings amp settings — Fender Frontman 10g

The Dire straits guitar tone for “Sultan of swings”, dialed in for a Fender Frontman 10g with a Squier Sonic. Studio version, Dire Straits (1978) - Main Lead/Rhythm Guitar

Original rig

1961 Fender Stratocaster (bridge+middle quack) into 1961 Brownface Fender Vibrolux combo, studio compression and plate reverb

Clean, spanky, articulate Fender chime with fast percussive attack and mild compression

Amp settings — Fender Frontman 10g

CHANNELCleanBOOSToff

Knob	Setting (0–10)
Gain	2
Bass	4
Treble	6
Master	4

Don’t have a Fender Frontman 10g? See this song on other amps → Match your own rig →

Guitar

PICKUPbridge+middle TONE10 VOLUME9

Signal chain

01Compressor (e.g. Ross / Dyna Comp style)

RECOMMENDED — not currently owned

Sustain 6 · Level 7

02Spring/Plate Reverb

RECOMMENDED — not currently owned

Mix 3 · Decay 4

Why these settings

The Frontman 10G has only Bass and Treble controls, so Mid, Presence, and Reverb are set to null. Keep the O.D. switch disengaged to stay strictly on the clean channel with Gain low to avoid harsh solid-state clipping. Setting Treble slightly above Bass captures Knopfler's articulate chime without sounding shrill on the 6-inch practice speaker.

PRO TIPDitch the plectrum entirely and use your bare thumb and index/middle fingers to snap the strings upward against the fretboard for that signature percussive attack.

Get this tone on your amp

These settings are for a Fender Frontman 10g. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.

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Song, artist and gear names are used to identify the tone being matched; ToneAdapt is not affiliated with or endorsed by the artists or manufacturers mentioned. Settings are AI-generated starting points — trust your ears.