Neural DSP Archetype: John Mayer X settings
Sultans of Swing settings for Neural DSP Archetype: John Mayer X
Dire Straits · adapted 6 times on ToneAdapt
To get the Dire Straits "Sultans of Swing" solo tone on a Neural DSP Archetype: John Mayer X, select the Smooth Operator preset, then set Gain 1.5, Bass 6, Mid 4, Treble 7, Presence 4, Reverb 3. Use the bridge + middle pickup with your guitar's tone on 7-8 and volume on 8-9.
Solo settings
Adapted for a Ibanez AZES40 · updated 2026-11-06
- Preset / mode
- Smooth Operator
- Pickup
- Bridge + Middle
- Guitar knobs
- Tone 7-8 · Volume 8-9
Neural DSP Archetype: John Mayer X knobs
- Gain
- 1.5
- Bass
- 6
- Mid
- 4
- Treble
- 7
- Presence
- 4
- Reverb
- 3
- Signature 83 eq switch
- 0
- Headroom hero mid switch
- 0
- Signature 83 bright switch
- 1
Built-in effects
- Reverb on (Spring) · 3
Playing tips
- Use your amp's built-in reverb set to 3 for a springy feel.
- Maintain a percussive fingerstyle attack for dynamic articulation.
- Focus on clear note separation by playing with a light touch.
The original rig
What Dire Straits used on the recording, for reference. ToneAdapt translates this to the controls your Neural DSP Archetype: John Mayer X 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 preset should I use on the Neural DSP Archetype: John Mayer X for Sultans of Swing?
Start from the Smooth Operator preset, then set Gain 1.5, Bass 6, Mid 4, Treble 7, Presence 4, Reverb 3.
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 Ibanez AZES40. 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 Neural DSP Archetype: John Mayer X
- Pride and Joy · Stevie Ray Vaughan
- Layla · Derek and the Dominos
- Hotel California · Eagles
- Stairway to Heaven · Led Zeppelin
- Black Magic Woman · Santana
- Enter Sandman · Metallica
- Gravity · John Mayer
- Tadow · Masego
- Creep · Radiohead
- Belief · John Mayer
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.