Money for nothing amp settings — Fender Hot Rod Deluxe IV
The Dire guitar tone for “Money for nothing”, dialed in for a Fender Hot Rod Deluxe IV with a Fender American Professional II Stratocaster. Studio version, Brothers in Arms (1985)
1958/59 Gibson Les Paul Standard into Laney/Jim Kelley tube head, fingerstyle attack, accidental out-of-phase mic placement
| Knob | Setting (0–10) |
|---|---|
| Gain | 6 |
| Bass | 4 |
| Mid | 8 |
| Treble | 5 |
| Presence | 3 |
| Reverb | 2 |
| Master | 4 |
01Dunlop Cry Baby GCB95 / Wah
RECOMMENDED — not currently owned; park stationary midway as a cocked wah to nail the studio phase-filter resonance
The Hot Rod Deluxe IV is an analog tube amp with a scooped American mid voice, so the Mid control is pushed high and Treble/Presence restrained to simulate the thick British midrange of the original Laney/Jim Kelley tracks. Using the Stratocaster's bridge+middle position yields natural acoustic phase cancellation that mimics the famous accidental out-of-phase studio mic setup without humbuckers. To get true vocal crunch without external dirt, run the amp on the Drive channel at gain 6; adding a cocked wah pedal later will close the final gap.
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These settings are for a Fender Hot Rod Deluxe IV. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.
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