Solo Tone

Single-Handed Sailor

Dire Straits

Guitarrock1970s

Original Gear

GuitarFender Stratocaster (likely 1961-1962, maple neck, stock single-coil pickups)

AmpMusic Man 212-HD One Thirty

PickupsFender single-coil (stock Strat pickups, late 1970s era)

Amp Settings

gain3

bass5.5

mid6.5

treble7

reverb3

presence5

Effects & Signal Chain

No effects used for this tone

Notes

Studio recording, 1978-1979, Communiqué album. No evidence of pedal use for this solo; Knopfler is known for direct-to-amp approach on early Dire Straits records. Settings are estimated based on era, genre, and typical Knopfler studio setup. No evidence of live rig or alternate guitars for this solo.

Tone Character(10)

bright and articulateglassy highswarm midrangedynamic and touch-sensitiveslightly compressedclear note separationsinging sustainclean with edge-of-breakupminimal colorationsubtle ambience

Difficulty

The solo requires advanced fingerstyle technique, dynamic control, and expressive phrasing typical of Knopfler's style, making it challenging for most intermediate players.

Sources

Mark Knopfler guitar lesson: learn his rhythm & lead secrets Mark Knopfler's Guitars, Amps, Pedals & Other Gear - Equipboard

This tone has been researched 2 times by the community

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