Riff Tone

So Far Away

Dire Straits

Guitarrock1980s

Original Gear

GuitarSchecter Stratocaster (1980s, red, maple neck, stock pickups)

AmpRoland JC-120 Jazz Chorus

PickupsSchecter F500T single coils

Amp Settings

gain0

bass6

mid6

treble7

reverb3

presence5.5

Effects & Signal Chain

No effects used for this tone

Notes

Studio recording, 1984-1985 for 'Brothers in Arms'. Mark Knopfler used a red Schecter Stratocaster with F500T pickups for the main riff of 'So Far Away', plugged into a Roland JC-120 Jazz Chorus amp. No evidence of pedals or additional effects for the riff section; the JC-120's onboard chorus and reverb are likely used. This is the studio version, not live.

Tone Character(10)

bright and glassyclean and articulatechorus shimmertight, percussive attackwarm but cleardynamic fingerstyle playingslight reverb ambiencestudio-polished claritydistinct stereo chorusno audible overdrive

Difficulty

The riff requires intermediate-level fingerstyle technique, precise muting, and rhythmic accuracy to achieve the clean, articulate sound characteristic of Knopfler's playing.

Sources

Mark Knopfler's Guitars, Amps, Pedals & Other Gear Mark Knopfler's tone on 'So Far Away' | The Gear Page

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