Equipment use documented
Fender Stratocaster
Original knob values: unknown. Numerical suggestions await further version and control references for this item.
Check the era, documented model and limits
ARTIST / 13DIRE STRAITS / SOLO ARTIST — ROOTS ROCK / FINGERSTYLE
Mark Knopfler
A dry finger-picked attack and a hollow midrange that keep intricate phrases light.
RECREATION STUDY
Sultans of Swing
Strat clean fingerstyle recreation
Suggested pickupBridge + middle single-coils
TuningE A D G B E
Suggested values are starting points for recreation.
MATCH THE HARDWARE FIRST
Start with the instrument’s own controls
Distinguish the documented brown Tolex Vibrolux from a Vibrolux Reverb. The 2015 album equipment discussion does not establish the 1978 Sultans of Swing rig. First set clean headroom for fingerstyle attack.
Equipment basis and value provenance are separate. Suggested values for matching hardware are still not verified artist settings.
2015 Tracker artist interview · clean guitars and amp choices
Equipment use documented
Fender Vibrolux · brown Tolex
Original knob values: unknown. Numerical suggestions await further version and control references for this item.
Check the era, documented model and limitsUsing different equipment?
The substitute path provides a full simplified chain and suggested values for alternative gear.
DOCUMENTED USE
What does the evidence establish?
2015 Tracker artist interview · clean guitars and amp choices
Confirmation applies only to the stated era and claim. It does not validate a complete recording rig or our modeler presets.
Confirmed in sourceEQUIPMENT
Fender Stratocaster
He discusses the Strat on Beryl and a white 1964 Strat for slide, among others.
Guitarist / MusicRadar — Mark Knopfler on TrackerEvidence location: Answers about clean leads and Strats
Confirmed in sourceEQUIPMENT
Fender Vibrolux · brown Tolex
He describes a Tone King Imperial and an old brown Vibrolux as clean-tone choices for Beryl.
The answer does not establish which amp made the final recording, or the 1978 Sultans of Swing rig.
Guitarist / MusicRadar — Mark Knopfler on TrackerEvidence location: Answer mentioning the Tone King Imperial and brown-Tolex Vibrolux
Not establishedSETTING
Recreation guide · knob values
These sources do not establish our complete numerical guide as the artist’s actual settings.
Suggested values are starting points, not verified original recording settings.
Sources and review record
How we review evidence ↗Guitarist / MusicRadar — Mark Knopfler on Tracker
Artist interviewAccount / record by: Mark Knopfler
Period / original record: 2015 · Source reviewed: 2026-09-13
Reference photos are separate from evidence of actual use. See photo credits for the original images and reuse terms.
Start with the connections. Guitar → modeler INPUT → headphones or FRFR. Use both amp and cabinet simulation. For a physical guitar speaker, disable cabinet simulation and adjust the output mode.
The proposal fits within HX Stomp’s eight-block count. Actual DSP use still needs testing; omit optional modulation if necessary.
Tone and gain values are normalized 0–10 starting points. If the device uses a different range, begin at a similar proportion; this is not an acoustic equivalence. Time, frequency and mix retain their shown units. Leave unlisted parameters at defaults.
01
AMP
US Deluxe Nrm
- Drive / Gain
- 3
- Bass
- 3.5
- Mid
- 5
- Treble
- 6
- Presence
- 4
A Deluxe Reverb-style alternative for Vibrolux / Tone King clean character. The QC name requires CorOS 3.1 or later.
02
CAB
2x12 Double C12N
- Low Cut
- 80 Hz
- High Cut
- 6.5 kHz
For headphones / FRFR. Cabinet choices are tonal alternatives, not necessarily the original touring speakers. If QC lacks the cut filters here, use a separate Low-High Cut block.
03
REVERB
Room
- Decay / Time
- 1.5 s
- Mix
- 9 %
An editorial ambience suggestion, not evidence of use on a recording or tour.
Model names based on Helix 3.80
Official model / parameter documentation
Make the final adjustments by ear
- Start at a low output level and check for input clipping.
- Bypass pedals and establish the amp’s basic tone.
- Match engaged and bypassed volume as you enable effects.
- Adjust bass for loose lows and treble or high cut for sharp highs.