Blackstar ID:Core 20 V4 settings
Sultans of Swing settings for Blackstar ID:Core 20 V4
Dire Straits · adapted 2 times on ToneAdapt
To get the Dire Straits "Sultans of Swing" solo tone on a Blackstar ID:Core 20 V4, set Gain 1.5, Reverb 3, ISF 5. Use the bridge + middle pickup with your guitar's tone on 7-8 and volume on 8-9.
Solo settings
Adapted for a Squier Stratocaster · updated 2026-11-03
- Pickup
- Bridge + Middle
- Guitar knobs
- Tone 7-8 · Volume 8-9
Blackstar ID:Core 20 V4 knobs
- Gain
- 1.5
- Reverb
- 3
- ISF
- 5
Built-in effects
- Reverb on · 3
Playing tips
- Use your amp's built-in reverb set to a moderate level to recreate the spacious feel of the original tone.
- Play with a percussive fingerstyle attack to maintain clarity and articulation.
- Focus on clean note separation to replicate the melodic phrasing of the original solo.
The original rig
What Dire Straits used on the recording, for reference. ToneAdapt translates this to the controls your Blackstar ID:Core 20 V4 actually has.
- Guitar
- 1978 Fender Stratocaster
- Amp
- Fender Silverface Vibrolux Reverb
- Gain
- 0
- Bass
- 6
- Mid
- 4.5
- Treble
- 7.5
- Presence
- 5
- Reverb
- 3
Different guitar or pedals? Get Sultans of Swing 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 are the best Blackstar ID:Core 20 V4 settings for Sultans of Swing?
Set Gain 1.5, Reverb 3, ISF 5.
Which pickup should I use for Sultans of Swing?
Bridge + Middle, with the guitar's tone at 7-8 and volume at 8-9.
What gear did Dire Straits use on Sultans of Swing?
Guitar: 1978 Fender Stratocaster. Amp: Fender Silverface Vibrolux Reverb.
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.
Sultans of Swing on other amps
- Sultans of Swing on Fender Mustang LT25 · 130
- Sultans of Swing on Boss Katana · 104
- Sultans of Swing on Fender Frontman 10G · 40
- Sultans of Swing on Fender Champion 20 · 31
- Sultans of Swing on Boss Katana 50 Gen 3 · 30
- Sultans of Swing on Boss Katana 50 MkII · 25
- Sultans of Swing on Fender Frontman 15G · 23
- Sultans of Swing on Line 6 Helix Floor / LT / Rack · 21
Popular songs on the Blackstar ID:Core 20 V4
- Hotel California · Eagles
- Sweet Child O' Mine · Guns N' Roses
- Master of Puppets · Metallica
- Enter Sandman · Metallica
- Iron Man · Black Sabbath
- Raining Blood · Slayer
- Walk · Pantera
- Holy Wars · Megadeth
- Smells Like Teen Spirit · Nirvana
- Stairway to Heaven · Led Zeppelin
- Creep · Radiohead
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.