Riff Tone

Telegraph Road

Dire Straits

Guitarrock1980s

Original Gear

GuitarFender Stratocaster (likely 1961-1962, rosewood board, stock single coils)

AmpMesa/Boogie Mark I (studio recording, 1982), possibly Marshall JTM45 in some live settings

PickupsFender single-coil Stratocaster pickups (early 1960s spec)

Amp Settings

gain4

bass6.5

mid7

treble6.5

reverb3

presence6

Effects & Signal Chain

No effects used for this tone

Notes

Studio recording, 1982, 'Love Over Gold' album. Gear confirmed for this era and song by multiple sources. No evidence of Les Paul or other guitars on the studio riff section. Amp is widely reported as Mesa/Boogie Mark I for this album's main rhythm tones. No pedalboard evidence for the riff section; effects are minimal and likely from amp or studio.

Tone Character(10)

warm and glassyarticulate and dynamicslightly compressedtouch-sensitiverich midrangeclear note separationedge-of-breakupsmooth sustainminimal colorationopen and airy

Difficulty

The riff requires advanced fingerstyle technique, dynamic control, and intricate chord voicings, making it challenging for most players.

Sources

Dire Straits Members, Gear & Sound | Equipboard Dire Straits – Dire Straits - Gear & Equipment Used on the Album | Equipboard Dire Straits - Telegraph Road | Guitar Forum

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