Riff Tone

Heavy Fuel (Live Album Version)

Dire Straits

Guitarrock1990s

Original Gear

GuitarPensa-Suhr MK1 (Mark Knopfler signature, custom build, HSS configuration)

AmpSoldano SLO-100 Super Lead Overdrive (live rig, early 1990s)

PickupsDiMarzio HS-2 (neck/middle), Seymour Duncan Alnico II Pro humbucker (bridge)

Amp Settings

gain5.5

bass6

mid7

treble6.5

reverb2.5

presence6

Effects & Signal Chain

No effects used for this tone

Notes

Live performance, 'On The Night' album (recorded 1992, released 1993). Knopfler used his Pensa-Suhr MK1 with HSS pickups and a Soldano SLO-100 head for the main riff section. No evidence of pedalboard use for the riff; distortion from amp. No chorus, delay, or modulation effects audible in riff section.

Tone Character(10)

tight and punchyslightly compressedclear note separationmidrange-forwardarticulate pickingwarm but present highscontrolled low enddynamic and responsivecrunchy overdriveno audible modulation

Difficulty

The riff requires tight, syncopated rhythm playing with palm muting and dynamic picking, but does not involve advanced lead techniques or fast runs.

Sources

Post your Reference Tracks! : r/livesound - Reddit What opinion about DS would make you feel like this? : r/direstraits

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