Sultans of Swing amp settings — Fender Champion 20
The Dire Straits guitar tone for “Sultans of Swing”, dialed in for a Fender Champion 20 with a Squier Affinity Stratocaster. Studio version, Dire Straits (1978) — signature clean rhythm and fills
1961 Fender Stratocaster (bridge+middle position) into 1961 Fender Vibrolux / Twin Reverb with Dan Armstrong Orange Squeezer compressor and studio plate reverb
| Knob | Setting (0–10) |
|---|---|
| Gain | 3 |
| Bass | 5 |
| Treble | 7 |
| Reverb | 4 |
| Master | 5 |
01Onboard FX (Spring Reverb / Compressor)
Select the '65 Twin clean voice and add light spring reverb on the FX knob to mimic the studio plate reverb
The Fender Champion 20 lacks a physical Mid control and runs on a 2-band EQ, so setting Treble to 7 and Bass to 5 replicates the classic scooped Fender Blackface clean. Selecting the '65 Twin voice provides maximum clean headroom with zero breakup at Gain 3. Your Strat's bridge+middle position delivers the iconic out-of-phase quack heard on the record.
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These settings are for a Fender Champion 20. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.
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