Tone library / dire straits / sultan of swings

sultan of swings amp settings — Marshall JCM800 2203

The dire straits guitar tone for “sultan of swings”, dialed in for a Marshall JCM800 2203 with a SX Les Paul. Studio version, Dire Straits (1978) — Main lead and rhythm tone

Original rig

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

Clean, spanky, articulate Fender chime with fast percussive attack and scooped bite

Amp settings — Marshall JCM800 2203

CHANNELLow Sensitivity Input

Knob	Setting (0–10)
Gain	2
Bass	4
Mid	4
Treble	7
Presence	6
Master	6

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Guitar

PICKUPbridge+middle TONE10 VOLUME9

Signal chain

01Compressor (Ross / Dyna Comp style)

RECOMMENDED — not currently owned; adds the snappy studio squash

Sustain 5 · Level 7

Why these settings

Plug into the JCM800 Low Sensitivity input to bypass the extra high-gain stage and keep the signal completely clean like Knopfler's Vibrolux. The mids are pulled back to 4 to counter Marshall's natural mid-hump and mimic the Fender scoop, while treble and presence are pushed to inject single-coil bite into the Les Paul's humbuckers. If your Les Paul lacks coil-splitting, using both pickups with volume slightly rolled off yields the closest playable clean quack.

PRO TIPDitch the plectrum entirely and use Mark Knopfler's fingerstyle technique: pluck downward with your thumb on the lower strings while snapping the index and middle fingers upward against the fretboard for that signature percussive pop.

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These settings are for a Marshall JCM800 2203. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.

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