Can Dave be Mark Knopfler

[JF]

I love Andertons, though even brilliant shops and channels like Andertons are baffled by the complexity of MK's music. It's funny how he plays Brothers In Arms on a Strat having a Les Paul by his side lol. I remember a video where Mark played a snippet of BIA on a Strat and said something like "that's rubbish". The song needs humbuckers!

on may 8th 1985 in Montreux, DS played a playback of the song (only vocals live), and Mark mimmed BIA on the schecter strat !

Now that's hilarious! I love deliberate trolling like that, reminds me of the legendary video "Epic Guitar Solo":

ah ah great !

here is a video clip by a french band "Telephone" : "le jour s'est levé"
The lead guitarist Louis Bertignac mimms his electric solo on a... national guitar !  (but not exactly the same model as Mark's one)

[dustyvalentino]

I've seen many of those episodes, that's why I was so shocked by this amateurism. They didn't have to go for the 3 string vibrato, but BIA is not such a difficult melody to cause much trouble for the seasoned musician. I had a go myself many moons ago and it would pass for BIA if you heard it. What Dave played just wouldn't if you did not know what he was trying to play. And I'm no guitar player, never took a lesson, all my notes are a matter of guessing...

I’m pretty sure Dave underestimated Mark’s playing in terms of complexity… when he realized how hard it was to emulate him he was probably a few minutes into the recording lol

Or maybe not... For many people "Knopfler sound" is really just this squeaky 4th position chicken picking licks on a Strat and a wah-wah on a Les Paul. That's Knopfler enough for you! And the audience seems to love it, so only a genuine die-hard will go "wait a minute" watching this episode.

With that said, almost any player has his own "tip of the iceberg" traits. Buy yourself a Brian May guitar, play with a coin and a treble booster, and boom — you sound just like Brian May! There are ways to build rigs to sound like David Gilmour, Hank Marvin, you name it. Signature instruments only add to this mess. Instead of being an affordable version of a guitar from your hero, it transformed into "the easiest way to get this sound". And for a lot of money too!

I've never heard anyone nail the Hank Marvin sound... even MK!

It's in the "whammy bar" use I think, he goes really heavy on it.

[quizzaciously]

I've never heard anyone nail the Hank Marvin sound... even MK!

It's in the "whammy bar" use I think, he goes really heavy on it.

Hank is absolutely unbelievable... Every time I hear him I think about how simple the melody is and what magnitude of a master you need to be in order to play it so perfectly. Simple doesn't mean primitive. Sound-wise, yes, the whammy bar really shows who is who, it's not even about how heavy you go with it, just how tasteful it sounds. Hank does it perfectly every time. Mark has a great sound with a whammy bar, his own thing. But Mr. Marvin... oh my gosh!

[Eddie Fox]

I've seen many of those episodes, that's why I was so shocked by this amateurism. They didn't have to go for the 3 string vibrato, but BIA is not such a difficult melody to cause much trouble for the seasoned musician. I had a go myself many moons ago and it would pass for BIA if you heard it. What Dave played just wouldn't if you did not know what he was trying to play. And I'm no guitar player, never took a lesson, all my notes are a matter of guessing...

I’m pretty sure Dave underestimated Mark’s playing in terms of complexity… when he realized how hard it was to emulate him he was probably a few minutes into the recording lol

Or maybe not... For many people "Knopfler sound" is really just this squeaky 4th position chicken picking licks on a Strat and a wah-wah on a Les Paul. That's Knopfler enough for you! And the audience seems to love it, so only a genuine die-hard will go "wait a minute" watching this episode.

Position 2 actually, bridge and middle

[JF]

I've seen many of those episodes, that's why I was so shocked by this amateurism. They didn't have to go for the 3 string vibrato, but BIA is not such a difficult melody to cause much trouble for the seasoned musician. I had a go myself many moons ago and it would pass for BIA if you heard it. What Dave played just wouldn't if you did not know what he was trying to play. And I'm no guitar player, never took a lesson, all my notes are a matter of guessing...

I’m pretty sure Dave underestimated Mark’s playing in terms of complexity… when he realized how hard it was to emulate him he was probably a few minutes into the recording lol

Or maybe not... For many people "Knopfler sound" is really just this squeaky 4th position chicken picking licks on a Strat and a wah-wah on a Les Paul. That's Knopfler enough for you! And the audience seems to love it, so only a genuine die-hard will go "wait a minute" watching this episode.

Position 2 actually, bridge and middle

not always.
even the SOS studio version is NOT bridge and middle. rather likely neck and middle (as he did in 91-92 and 96)

[quizzaciously]

I've seen many of those episodes, that's why I was so shocked by this amateurism. They didn't have to go for the 3 string vibrato, but BIA is not such a difficult melody to cause much trouble for the seasoned musician. I had a go myself many moons ago and it would pass for BIA if you heard it. What Dave played just wouldn't if you did not know what he was trying to play. And I'm no guitar player, never took a lesson, all my notes are a matter of guessing...

I’m pretty sure Dave underestimated Mark’s playing in terms of complexity… when he realized how hard it was to emulate him he was probably a few minutes into the recording lol

Or maybe not... For many people "Knopfler sound" is really just this squeaky 4th position chicken picking licks on a Strat and a wah-wah on a Les Paul. That's Knopfler enough for you! And the audience seems to love it, so only a genuine die-hard will go "wait a minute" watching this episode.

Position 2 actually, bridge and middle

not always.
even the SOS studio version is NOT bridge and middle. rather likely neck and middle (as he did in 91-92 and 96)

That's interesting. I always liked more either neck pickup alone or neck and middle. To me, middle and bridge is too nasal, though it really captures the famous MK feel. Neck and middle gives a more rounded, full and bassy sound which I love.

[Eddie Fox]

I've seen many of those episodes, that's why I was so shocked by this amateurism. They didn't have to go for the 3 string vibrato, but BIA is not such a difficult melody to cause much trouble for the seasoned musician. I had a go myself many moons ago and it would pass for BIA if you heard it. What Dave played just wouldn't if you did not know what he was trying to play. And I'm no guitar player, never took a lesson, all my notes are a matter of guessing...

I’m pretty sure Dave underestimated Mark’s playing in terms of complexity… when he realized how hard it was to emulate him he was probably a few minutes into the recording lol

Or maybe not... For many people "Knopfler sound" is really just this squeaky 4th position chicken picking licks on a Strat and a wah-wah on a Les Paul. That's Knopfler enough for you! And the audience seems to love it, so only a genuine die-hard will go "wait a minute" watching this episode.

Position 2 actually, bridge and middle

not always.
even the SOS studio version is NOT bridge and middle. rather likely neck and middle (as he did in 91-92 and 96)

The studio version is position four? Never heard of it…

[quizzaciously]

I've seen many of those episodes, that's why I was so shocked by this amateurism. They didn't have to go for the 3 string vibrato, but BIA is not such a difficult melody to cause much trouble for the seasoned musician. I had a go myself many moons ago and it would pass for BIA if you heard it. What Dave played just wouldn't if you did not know what he was trying to play. And I'm no guitar player, never took a lesson, all my notes are a matter of guessing...

I’m pretty sure Dave underestimated Mark’s playing in terms of complexity… when he realized how hard it was to emulate him he was probably a few minutes into the recording lol

Or maybe not... For many people "Knopfler sound" is really just this squeaky 4th position chicken picking licks on a Strat and a wah-wah on a Les Paul. That's Knopfler enough for you! And the audience seems to love it, so only a genuine die-hard will go "wait a minute" watching this episode.

Position 2 actually, bridge and middle

not always.
even the SOS studio version is NOT bridge and middle. rather likely neck and middle (as he did in 91-92 and 96)

The studio version is position four? Never heard of it…

After having a listen to the isolated guitar track, I'm not sure, I don't think it's middle and bridge pickups to be honest. I never was into too much technicality anyway, and I always admire people who really dig this and even play different parts with different settings like, famously, in the "Single Handed Sailor". Despite all the controversy, I still think "it's in fingers", though I'd like to add "it's in the head".

[JF]

I've seen many of those episodes, that's why I was so shocked by this amateurism. They didn't have to go for the 3 string vibrato, but BIA is not such a difficult melody to cause much trouble for the seasoned musician. I had a go myself many moons ago and it would pass for BIA if you heard it. What Dave played just wouldn't if you did not know what he was trying to play. And I'm no guitar player, never took a lesson, all my notes are a matter of guessing...

I’m pretty sure Dave underestimated Mark’s playing in terms of complexity… when he realized how hard it was to emulate him he was probably a few minutes into the recording lol

Or maybe not... For many people "Knopfler sound" is really just this squeaky 4th position chicken picking licks on a Strat and a wah-wah on a Les Paul. That's Knopfler enough for you! And the audience seems to love it, so only a genuine die-hard will go "wait a minute" watching this episode.

Position 2 actually, bridge and middle

not always.
even the SOS studio version is NOT bridge and middle. rather likely neck and middle (as he did in 91-92 and 96)

The studio version is position four? Never heard of it…

of course we will never be sure...
BUT :
https://www.mk-guitar.com/2013/09/30/new-theory-on-the-sultans-of-swing-sound-dimarzio-fs-1-pickup-in-the-middle-position/

and :
https://www.mk-guitar.com/2010/09/16/trying-to-recreate-that-sultans-of-swing-sound-the-gear-i-used-on-the-puresolo-competition/

[Stiglar]

I've seen many of those episodes, that's why I was so shocked by this amateurism. They didn't have to go for the 3 string vibrato, but BIA is not such a difficult melody to cause much trouble for the seasoned musician. I had a go myself many moons ago and it would pass for BIA if you heard it. What Dave played just wouldn't if you did not know what he was trying to play. And I'm no guitar player, never took a lesson, all my notes are a matter of guessing...

I’m pretty sure Dave underestimated Mark’s playing in terms of complexity… when he realized how hard it was to emulate him he was probably a few minutes into the recording lol

Or maybe not... For many people "Knopfler sound" is really just this squeaky 4th position chicken picking licks on a Strat and a wah-wah on a Les Paul. That's Knopfler enough for you! And the audience seems to love it, so only a genuine die-hard will go "wait a minute" watching this episode.

Position 2 actually, bridge and middle

not always.
even the SOS studio version is NOT bridge and middle. rather likely neck and middle (as he did in 91-92 and 96)

The studio version is position four? Never heard of it…

I always assumed studio version of SOS was middle pickup?

[JF]

That's interesting. I always liked more either neck pickup alone or neck and middle. To me, middle and bridge is too nasal, though it really captures the famous MK feel. Neck and middle gives a more rounded, full and bassy sound which I love.

+1000 
I love neck+middle too.
it's more "hollow" I find, and it works better for arpeggios sound middle+bridge imho
very SRV-Hendrix-Mayer... touch

[JF]

I always assumed studio version of SOS was middle pickup?

I touht that too during years
but discussing with Ingo he said to me that middle pickup alone would have sounded harsher than what we hear

[Eddie Fox]

Clapton is known for using the middle pickup alone to achieve his famous woman tone. Don’t wanna sound authoritative here, please don’t get me wrong, but I’m almost 100% sure it was position 2 in the original recording and pretty much every time he played it with a strat. In the early years he’d switch to position 5 for the solos sometimes though. Regarding the Pensa era I think the original MK1 didn’t have coil splitting for the bridge so that would explain him avoiding position 2.

[JF]

Clapton is known for using the middle pickup alone to achieve his famous woman tone. Don’t wanna sound authoritative here, please don’t get me wrong, but I’m almost 100% sure it was position 2 in the original recording and pretty much every time he played it with a strat. In the early years he’d switch to position 5 for the solos sometimes though. Regarding the Pensa era I think the original MK1 didn’t have coil splitting for the bridge so that would explain him avoiding position 2.

to my ears, the studio version of sultans sounds different than every live version of the same era.
even the single version sounds different
I bet single version is middle+bridge, while album version is neck+bridge with that FS-1 PU in middle, like Ingo revealed by testing different combinations

[Eddie Fox]

Clapton is known for using the middle pickup alone to achieve his famous woman tone. Don’t wanna sound authoritative here, please don’t get me wrong, but I’m almost 100% sure it was position 2 in the original recording and pretty much every time he played it with a strat. In the early years he’d switch to position 5 for the solos sometimes though. Regarding the Pensa era I think the original MK1 didn’t have coil splitting for the bridge so that would explain him avoiding position 2.

to my ears, the studio version of sultans sounds different than every live version of the same era.
even the single version sounds different
I bet single version is middle+bridge, while album version is neck+bridge with that FS-1 PU in middle, like Ingo revealed by testing different combinations

Well, it can be caused by a number of variables, especially different amps and new set of pickups. I have three Strats with the traditional configuration and they all sound very very different.