lead guitar from “money for nothing” by dire straits | ToneDB
money for nothing
dire straits
lead guitar
85% ai confidence
Tone Profile
A biting, mid-heavy, and slightly distorted guitar tone defined by its distinctive fixed 'cocked wah' filter sound.
Signal Chain
Instrument: Gibson Les Paul (likely late '50s model or reissue)
Amp: Marshall JTM45 (or possibly Laney)
Microphone: Shure SM57 (two mics, specific placement)
Processing: Dunlop Cry Baby Wah (left in a fixed position)
Other: Unique dual microphone setup: one SM57 on-axis, one SM57 off-axis/angled, possibly out of phase, contributing significantly to the filtered tone *before* the wah was added. Bridge or Bridge/Middle pickup position.
Recording Notes
- The signature filtered sound was reportedly discovered accidentally through experimental microphone placement by engineer Neil Dorfsman.
- Two Shure SM57 microphones were used on the amplifier cabinet.
- One mic was placed directly facing the speaker cone, while the second was angled, creating phase cancellations that resulted in a natural filtering effect.
- A Cry Baby wah pedal was then engaged and left stationary in a mid-range position to accentuate this filtered, 'honky' characteristic.
- Mark Knopfler used his fingers rather than a pick, contributing to the attack and dynamics.
Recreation Tips
- Use a guitar with humbuckers, preferably a Les Paul.
- Select the bridge pickup or the middle position (both pickups).
- Set your amplifier to a clean or edge-of-breakup tone (Marshall Plexi/JTM45 style is ideal).
- Engage a wah pedal and slowly sweep it until you find the 'sweet spot' that provides the characteristic nasal, filtered tone (often around the middle of the pedal's travel). Leave the pedal in this position.
- Boost midrange frequencies (around 800Hz - 1.5kHz) with amp EQ or an EQ pedal if needed.
- Use fingerstyle playing for authentic attack.