Tone library / Knopfler / Local hero

Local hero amp settings — Orange Dual Dark 50

The Knopfler guitar tone for “Local hero”, dialed in for a Orange Dual Dark 50 with a Epiphone Les Paul Standard 60s. Studio version, Local Hero soundtrack (1983) - 'Going Home (Theme of the Local Hero)' lead guitar

Original rig

Schecter Dream Machine Strat / cheap electric tracked through vintage Fender Vibrolux / Music Man amp with ambient studio delay and subtle compression

Smooth, singing, mid-warm compressed lead tone with gentle edge-of-breakup bite and lush studio ambiance
Amp settings — Orange Dual Dark 50
CHANNELChannel B (Clean/Low Gain)BOOSToff
GAIN 3 BASS 4 MID 6 TREBLE 7 MASTER 5
KnobSetting (0–10)
Gain3
Bass4
Mid6
Treble7
Master5
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Guitar
PICKUPneck TONE8 VOLUME9
Signal chain

01Boss BD-2 Blues Driver

Used as edge-of-breakup lead drive into the clean Channel B

Level 7 · Tone 5 · Gain 3
Why these settings

The Orange Dual Dark 50 has a very thick, dark low-mid voicing and naturally high headroom on Channel B, so the bass is trimmed to 4 and treble is boosted to 7 to approximate Knopfler's clear single-coil chime on your Les Paul humbuckers. Channel B lacks a dedicated Mid knob on the head, but its broad EQ sweep focuses cleanly with the treble pushed, keeping amp gain low at 3 while the Boss BD-2 supplies the smooth singing compression and light breakup. Keep the attenuator at 5 to allow natural tube warmth without muddying the top end.

PRO TIPDitch the plectrum entirely and use the fleshy pads of your right-hand thumb and index/middle fingers to pluck upward, which softens the initial transient attack and creates Knopfler's signature fluid vocal resonance.

Get this tone on your amp

These settings are for a Orange Dual Dark 50. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.

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