Tone library / Dire Straits / Sultans of Swing

Sultans of Swing amp settings — Hertz Hertz dg-20

The Dire Straits guitar tone for “Sultans of Swing”, dialed in for a Hertz Hertz dg-20 with a Syrydom Magna Telepop TE20M. Studio version, Dire Straits debut album (1978)

Original rig

1961 Fender Stratocaster (middle+bridge position) plugged straight into a vintage Fender Twin/Vibrolux Reverb or Music Man HD130 212, completely clean with studio compression

Glassy, scooped clean tone with strong percussive fingerstyle transient snap and slight spring reverb

Amp settings — Hertz Hertz dg-20

CHANNELCleanBRIGHToffBOOSToff

Knob	Setting (0–10)
Gain	2
Bass	5
Mid	4
Treble	7
Master	6

Don’t have a Hertz Hertz dg-20? See this song on other amps → Match your own rig →

Guitar

PICKUPneck+middle TONE10 VOLUME9

Signal chain

01Compressor (e.g. MXR Dyna Comp or Keeley Compressor)

RECOMMENDED — not currently owned; adds the recorded studio squash and snap

Output 6 · Sensitivity 4

Why these settings

The Hertz DG-20 is a compact solid-state practice amp with standard EQ controls (no presence/reverb), so the gain is kept low on the Clean channel to prevent unwanted clipping. A Telecaster bridge/neck pickup blend naturally approximates the quack of the original Stratocaster in-between position, though pushing the amp treble to 7 helps deliver that necessary top-end snap. Keep your volume knob around 9 to soften harsh piezo-like transients from the solid-state preamp.

PRO TIPDitch the pick entirely and use your thumb and index finger to pluck the strings with a slight upward snap against the fretboard to nail Mark Knopfler's signature percussive attack.

Get this tone on your amp

These settings are for a Hertz Hertz dg-20. 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.