How to Dial In "Water of Love" by Dire Straits - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Water of Love"
Suggested rig · the original isn't documented.
Knob Positions, Pickup, and Tuning
Where to set the knobs for this tone. Each value is on the standard 0–10 amp scale.
On your amp, these numbers won't sound the same.
Get the settings for my ampHow the artist had their guitar configured for this take.
From Dire Straits (1978). Dire Straits is the debut studio album by the British rock band Dire Straits, released on 9 June 1978 by Vertigo Records internationally, Warner Bros. No source we found ties a guitar or amp to this recording, so a Fender American Professional II Stratocaster through a Fender '68 Custom Vibrolux Reverb, the nearest rig to the one documented for Dire Straits, stands in. Keep the amp clean, just at the edge of breakup, and use the middle and bridge pickups together. Standard tuning.
Common Questions About the "Water of Love" Tone
What guitar did Dire Straits use on "Water of Love"?
The guitar on "Water of Love" (released 1978) isn't documented; the Fender American Professional II Stratocaster above gets the sound. Pickup selector: middle + bridge (position 4) on the guitar. Tuned to standard (E A D G B E).
What amp settings does "Water of Love" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 2.5, Bass 5, Mid 6, Treble 6.5, Presence 5, Volume 6.5. Each value is on the standard 0–10 amp scale; match them on your amp first, then nudge to taste. ToneMirror can translate these positions for whatever amp you actually own.
Can I play "Water of Love" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Water of Love" tone on a Katana, a Helix, a tube combo, or anything else. The translation accounts for EQ curve, gain structure, and pickup type so the result actually sounds like the record, not just the same knob numbers on different gear.
More Tones You Can Dial In
Tone references for "Water of Love" by Dire Straits are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.