Tone library / Dire straits / Sultans of swings

Sultans of swings amp settings — NUX MKII

The Dire straits guitar tone for “Sultans of swings”, dialed in for a NUX MKII with a Spira Idk. Studio version, Dire Straits self-titled debut album (1978)

Original rig

1961 Fender Stratocaster (bridge+middle / neck+middle) -> Dan Armstrong Orange Squeezer compressor -> 1961 Fender Vibrolux Brownface (6G11) combo

Clean, snappy, touch-sensitive Strat quack with fast optical-style compression and slight room ambience

Amp settings — NUX MKII

CHANNELTwin Reverb / Deluxe Reverb amp block + 2x12 Open Back Cab IRBRIGHTonBOOSToff

Knob	Setting (0–10)
Gain	3
Bass	4
Mid	6
Treble	7
Presence	5
Reverb	3
Master	7

Don’t have a NUX MKII? Match your own rig →

Guitar

PICKUPbridge+middle TONE10 VOLUME9

Signal chain

01NUX Squeezer / Studio Compressor Block

Placed before the amp block to capture the Dan Armstrong percussive snap

Sustain 6 · Level 7

02NUX Plate / Spring Reverb Block

Post-amp block in signal chain

Decay 3 · Tone 5 · Level 3

Why these settings

On your NUX modeler, selecting a classic blackface Fender clean amp block paired with the onboard compressor block replicates the iconic snappy attack of the original Vibrolux and Orange Squeezer setup. Keep amp gain low around 3 so chords remain sparkling clean while digging in provides slight natural tube-style bite. Presence and treble are raised slightly to accentuate the single-coil 'in-between' quack.

PRO TIPPlay strictly fingerstyle using the flesh and nail of your thumb, index, and middle fingers—snapping the strings upward against the fretboard produces the iconic percussive 'pop' that a plectrum cannot replicate.

Get this tone on your amp

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

Get ToneAdapt on Google Play

Find your amp

Browse

Dire straits tonesALL SONGS Tone libraryEVERYTHING

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.