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Fender Mustang LT25CleanSoloRock

Sultans of Swing on a Fender Mustang LT25

Dire Straits

Written for the Mustang LT25 as Fender's owner's manual describes it: 20 amp models and four effect slots.

Sultans of Swing Fender Mustang LT25 settings: a starting point

On a Fender Mustang LT25, select the TWIN CLEAN amp model and start at Gain 2, Treble 6, Bass 5 and Middle 6, with the in-between position, probably neck and middle together.

TWIN CLEAN amp modelSultans of Swing on the LT25
  • Gain 2
  • Treble 6
  • Bass 5
  • Middle 6

Middle is set from the encoder: the LT25 has no Middle knob.

Values as the display shows them, 0 to 10 with one decimal. These are Tonelify's starting points for the LT25, written from the documented rig and Fender's manual. They are not Fender's numbers and not the settings on the record.

Same amp family as the record

Which Fender Mustang LT25 amp model for Sultans of Swing?

TWIN CLEAN. Knopfler says he played a Fender Twin. Fender bases TWIN CLEAN on the 1965 Twin Reverb, which it calls a stage and studio favourite prized for the Fender clean tone, so the amp family on the record is in the LT25's list.

Pick the amp model with the encoder first, then set the knobs. The LT25 has knobs for Gain, Volume, Treble, Bass and Master Volume, and no Middle knob. Fender's manual says Middle is set only from the encoder: press it on the amp model, scroll to MIDDLE and turn.

Fender Mustang LT25 effects for Sultans of Swing

STOMP
NoneThe part is clean: nothing drives the amp but the guitar.Leave the slot empty.
REV
SPRING 65The spring reverb in the starting point. Fender describes SPRING 65 as the reverb built into its classic mid-'60s amps.LEVEL around 3.

Each preset has four effect slots, STOMP, MOD, DELAY and REV, and each slot holds one effect. Fender's manual gives the signal path as instrument, stompbox, modulation, amplifier, delay, reverb, speaker. To fill a slot, press the encoder on it and turn to the effect.

Does it sound off on your Mustang LT25?

Pick what you hear. You get the knobs to turn on the LT25 from the settings above, and how far.

What the LT25 cannot do for Sultans of Swing

Most of this sound is not in the amp. Knopfler has said it comes from the Strat's switch sitting between two positions, so on a guitar with no in-between setting the LT25 cannot supply the quack. The Twin is Knopfler's own account and its year is not documented, so TWIN CLEAN is the same family, not a confirmed match.

How to store it on the LT25

Press SAVE once it sounds right. Fender's manual says an unsaved edit reverts when you leave the preset or switch the amp off. Master Volume is not stored in a preset.

What Dire Straits used on Sultans of Swing

Mark Knopfler's 1961 Fender Stratocaster with its three-way selector jammed between two positions, into a Fender Twin by his own account, recorded at Basing Street Studios in London in February 1978.

Rig sources: Guitar World: Mark Knopfler on his '61 Strat and Sultans of Swing, Wikipedia: Sultans of Swing, Mark Knopfler Guitar Site: gear on the album Dire Straits

Fender Mustang LT25 facts checked against Fender's own documents on : Fender: Mustang LT25 owner's manual (PDF), Fender: Mustang LT25 quick start guide (PDF)

Dire Straits' rig and the generic five-knob settings for the Sultans of Swing tone →

A different guitar, or pedals in front?

This page sets the LT25 on its own. Name your guitar and your pedals and Tonelify rewrites the settings for that whole rig, pickup position included. Your first match is free with an account, and needs no card.

Match Sultans of Swing to my rig

Sultans of Swing on the LT25: questions

What Fender Mustang LT25 settings do you need for Sultans of Swing?

Select the TWIN CLEAN amp model and start at Gain 2, Treble 6, Bass 5 and Middle 6. These are Tonelify's starting points for the LT25, written from the documented rig and Fender's manual. They are not Fender's numbers and not the settings on the record.

Which Fender Mustang LT25 amp model is closest to the amp on Sultans of Swing?

TWIN CLEAN. Knopfler says he played a Fender Twin. Fender bases TWIN CLEAN on the 1965 Twin Reverb, which it calls a stage and studio favourite prized for the Fender clean tone, so the amp family on the record is in the LT25's list.

Which Fender Mustang LT25 effects does Sultans of Swing use?

REV: SPRING 65. The spring reverb in the starting point. Fender describes SPRING 65 as the reverb built into its classic mid-'60s amps.

What can the LT25 not do for Sultans of Swing?

Most of this sound is not in the amp. Knopfler has said it comes from the Strat's switch sitting between two positions, so on a guitar with no in-between setting the LT25 cannot supply the quack. The Twin is Knopfler's own account and its year is not documented, so TWIN CLEAN is the same family, not a confirmed match.

How do you set Middle for Sultans of Swing on a Mustang LT25?

From the encoder. Press it to open the preset, press it again on the amp model, scroll to MIDDLE, press, turn to 6 and press SAVE. The LT25 has no Middle knob, and Fender's manual says this is the only way to adjust it.

Is there a Sultans of Swing preset for the Fender Mustang LT25?

Fender's manual lists the LT25's 30 factory presets and none is named after this song. Build it by hand from the settings on this page, then press SAVE and choose SAVE AS to keep it under the song's name. SAVE AS replaces whatever is in the slot you pick, so choose one you do not need.

What if you have a different guitar or pedals in front of the LT25?

These settings assume the unit on its own. Tonelify's matcher rewrites them for the guitar, pedals and amp you name, pickup position included. Your first match is free with an account and needs no card.

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