Blackstar Core settings
Money for Nothing settings for Blackstar Core
Dire Straits · adapted 2 times on ToneAdapt
To get the Dire Straits "Money for Nothing" riff tone on a Blackstar Core, select the Overdrive preset, then set Gain 6.5, Bass 4, Mid 6.5, Treble 7, Presence 6, Reverb 1. Use the bridge pickup with your guitar's tone on 4-5 and volume on 8-9.
Riff settings
Adapted for a Squier Stratocaster · updated 2026-04-29
- Preset / mode
- Overdrive
- Pickup
- Bridge pickup
- Guitar knobs
- Tone 4-5 · Volume 8-9
Blackstar Core knobs
- Gain
- 6.5
- Bass
- 4
- Mid
- 6.5
- Treble
- 7
- Presence
- 6
- Reverb
- 1
Built-in effects
- Reverb off
Playing tips
- Use a percussive picking style to achieve a biting attack.
- Engage the amp's built-in reverb for added depth.
- Experiment with the presence control to find the sweet spot for clarity.
The original rig
What Dire Straits used on the recording, for reference. ToneAdapt translates this to the controls your Blackstar Core actually has.
- Guitar
- 1958 Gibson Les Paul Standard
- Amp
- Laney amplifier (exact model not confirmed, but cited as used in studio); some sources mention Ampeg SVT-VR or Marshall JTM45, but Laney is most directly cited for the studio riff recording
- Gain
- 4.5
- Bass
- 6.5
- Mid
- 6
- Treble
- 6
- Presence
- 6
- Reverb
- 3
Different guitar or pedals? Get Money for Nothing adapted to your exact rig
These settings were generated for the gear named above. ToneAdapt adapts Dire Straits's tone to your own guitar, pickups, amp and pedals in seconds.
Frequently asked questions
What preset should I use on the Blackstar Core for Money for Nothing?
Start from the Overdrive preset, then set Gain 6.5, Bass 4, Mid 6.5, Treble 7, Presence 6, Reverb 1.
Which pickup should I use for Money for Nothing?
Bridge pickup, with the guitar's tone at 4-5 and volume at 8-9.
What gear did Dire Straits use on Money for Nothing?
Guitar: 1958 Gibson Les Paul Standard. Amp: Laney amplifier (exact model not confirmed, but cited as used in studio); some sources mention Ampeg SVT-VR or Marshall JTM45, but Laney is most directly cited for the studio riff recording.
Will these settings work with my guitar?
These settings were adapted for a Squier Stratocaster. Different pickups change how much gain and treble you need. ToneAdapt adapts the tone to your exact guitar, pickups, amp and pedals.
Money for Nothing on other amps
- Money for Nothing on Fender Mustang LT25 · 25
- Money for Nothing on Boss Katana · 15
- Money for Nothing on Fender Frontman 10G · 4
- Money for Nothing on Boss Katana 50 Gen 3 · 4
- Money for Nothing on Fender Champion 20 · 3
- Money for Nothing on Fender Champion II 25 · 3
- Money for Nothing on Line 6 Spider · 3
- Money for Nothing on Positive Grid Spark 2 · 3
Popular songs on the Blackstar Core
- Master of Puppets · Metallica
- Sweet Child O' Mine · Guns N' Roses
- Hotel California · Eagles
- Walk · Pantera
- Back in Black · AC/DC
- Crazy Train · Ozzy Osbourne
- Smells Like Teen Spirit · Nirvana
- Raining Blood · Slayer
- Whole Lotta Love · Led Zeppelin
- Holy Wars · Megadeth
- Highway to Hell · AC/DC
- Iron Man · Black Sabbath
Settings are generated by ToneAdapt's tone adaptation for the gear named on this page and are a starting point — every amp, guitar and room is a little different.