How to Dial In "Heart Full of Holes" by Mark Knopfler - Guitar Tone Settings
Gear for "Heart Full of Holes"
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 Kill to Get Crimson (2007). A mid-tempo, bluesy song with a warm, slightly crunchy Stratocaster. Guitar World's report on Mark Knopfler's rig says his guitar tech used three signature Stratocasters and vintage Strats alongside Pensa-Suhr guitars, signature Les Pauls, a Grosh Electrajet and a Danelectro 59 DC on Down the Road Wherever, and that his amps were profiled onto Kemper Profilers for the 2019 tour; none of that is tied to this song. So a Fender American Professional II Stratocaster into a Fender '65 Twin Reverb Reissue stands in. Set a light-to-medium crunch on the neck and middle pickups together and dig in harder for the louder sections. Tuning isn't documented here.
Common Questions About the "Heart Full of Holes" Tone
What guitar did Mark Knopfler use on "Heart Full of Holes"?
The guitar on "Heart Full of Holes" (released 2007) isn't documented; the Fender American Professional II Stratocaster above gets the sound. Pickup selector: neck + middle (position 2) on the guitar.
What amp settings does "Heart Full of Holes" need?
Settings for this sound: Gain 4, Bass 5, Mid 6, Treble 6, Presence 5.5, Volume 6. 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 "Heart Full of Holes" without the original gear?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the settings above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "Heart Full of Holes" 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.
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Tone references for "Heart Full of Holes" by Mark Knopfler are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.