Mark's Great Guitar Tone

[qjamesfloyd]

We all know Mark has a history with wonderful guitar tones, but I was wondering what peoples favourites are, so, list some of your favourite tones from Mark's guitar over his whole career, studio or live, so to get started, here are 3 of mine:
1. Golden Heart.
2. Planet of The New Orleans.
3. Wild Theme (On The Night)

[dustyvalentino]

The Strat tone between Making Movies and Alchemy was the peak for me. Don't get me wrong, he always had great tone but the Schecter sound just seemed to have a bit more grit to it. It helps as well that MK was at the peak of his creative powers at that point.

I know he still used Schecters on the BiA tour but for some reason they just didn't sound quite as good to my ears.

[quizzaciously]

Whoa, it's too hard to pick favourites as they are all great.

I love Mark's tone on the 2006 tour with Emmylou Harris. Even on songs like Why Worry, which he played with a capo in an ungodly position (8 fret or something), it still would sound like a dream. Les Paul was also great, Tele on one of Emmylou's songs was awesome. Can't even start to talk about the tone of the Romeo outro played on Pensa. Unbelievable.

This string of live shows — Real Live Roadrunning, Berlin 2007, and Prince's Trust 09.09.09 are masterclasses on tone, guitar playing and musicianship. Love it.

On albums, it's usually watered-down compared to live versions, so I would say my favourite tone on the album is Shangri-La.

[iorch82]

- You And Your Friend OTN
- Telegraph Road 92 / 96
- SoS with the white Partscaster in 86'
- LP tone on 96 tour, mostly DP, Rüdiger and Je Suis Desolé.

[Knopflerfan]

I love the tone achieved through the MK Strat of course espeically with a little bit of echo ala Hank! So my fave album that showcases this is KTGC...

[dustyvalentino]

I love the tone achieved through the MK Strat of course espeically with a little bit of echo ala Hank! So my fave album that showcases this is KTGC...

Was it not actually more the Teisco on the record?

[Jensen]

I wouldn't be able to point to a particular record or guitar and say that is my favourite. My best experiences of Mark Knopfler's unique tone have been at live concerts. And not only on the tracks we expect to hear but in a sudden phrase here or there not to be found on the records and seemingly comming out of nowhere adding new dimensions and feel to the track. There is something really wonderful about the way Knopfler plays a Les Paul but I still prefer his sound on S-style guitars.

[Robson]

I don't know how to say it, but for me there is something specific about the sound since 2007. The first album recorded at the British Grove and all subsequent albums are very similar in sound. I'm not just thinking about the guitar, but about the depth of the entire album in general.

[JF]

I love the tone achieved through the MK Strat of course espeically with a little bit of echo ala Hank! So my fave album that showcases this is KTGC...

Was it not actually more the Teisco on the record?

true love is the Teisco
the fizzy is the Gretsch
wild is strat (lead) and duo sonic on rhythm
monkey is strat (lead) and gretsch (rhythm)
let it all go is the strat
behind with the rent and mme geneva are the ES 330
in the sky is the gretsch

https://textes-blog-rock-n-roll.fr/kill-to-get-crimson-de-mark-knopfler-sortait-il-y-a-15-ans/

[dustyvalentino]

I love the tone achieved through the MK Strat of course espeically with a little bit of echo ala Hank! So my fave album that showcases this is KTGC...

Was it not actually more the Teisco on the record?

true love is the Teisco
the fizzy is the Gretsch
wild is strat (lead) and duo sonic on rhythm
monkey is strat (lead) and gretsch (rhythm)
let it all go is the strat
behind with the rent and mme geneva are the ES 330
in the sky is the gretsch

https://textes-blog-rock-n-roll.fr/kill-to-get-crimson-de-mark-knopfler-sortait-il-y-a-15-ans/

Bravo, JF, great piece.

Although, and with all due respect to the artist, this drawing reminded me more of Richard Attenborough as the murderer in 10 Rillington Place...

[Pottel]

that first pic looks like Winston C. playing da guirarrr

[MagicElliott]

I love the tone achieved through the MK Strat of course espeically with a little bit of echo ala Hank! So my fave album that showcases this is KTGC...

Amen to that. Add to that use of a pick too.  Although I don’t think it contains any of the songs I’d consider my favourites, KTGC has to be my favourite album cuz of the overall sound.

[Beryl]

Chronologically:
A) lead guitar:
—News (studio, Communiqué)
—Smooching (LH soundtrack)
—Brothers in Arms (studio, Brothers in Arms)
—Railroad Worksong (studio, NH album)
—You and your friend (studio, On Every Street)
—Kingdome Come (studio, OES outtake)
—Redbud Tree (studio)
B) Rythm:
—Skateaway (studio), and its twin tone: This is Us, studio
—when it comes to you (studio)
—Every single guitar on Sucker Row (studio, Shangri La)

[qjamesfloyd]

Yes, the tone of the guitar on Smooching is gorgeous.

[JF]

Yes, the tone of the guitar on Smooching is gorgeous.

+1000