Fx pedal on a dire straits track?

[CoolerKing]

What is this effect at the beginning of “down to the waterline,” on the rhythm track, after the free intro solo and the band coming in on the chord progressions G-Bm-G-Bm-G-A-Bm...

I’m a Knopfler nerd, so I’ve got the strat settings on pickup switch position 4, split mid bridge etc. my best guess is a chorus and a flanger, but I get phaser and flanger confused sometimes. Take a look at this and let me know...

[J Patrick]

...sounds like a flanger to me...

[KevWind]

I'm guessing you can get close with either but if I had to pick (although it sounds like a flanger) Given the date the record came out, I wonder if it is not an original EHX Small Stone Phase Shifter ?

I actually had one (maybe still do in a box somewhere ) but because it was battery only for power I have not used or seen it in years


Don't know if this will help but here is an article on the difference ( or maybe the similarity)

https://music.stackexchange.com/ques...%20two%20paths.

[Dru Edwards]

You're talking about the rhythm guitar, right? Sounds like a flanger

Edit: Just did some Googling. I think it's a phaser:
https://www.mk-guitar.com/2011/06/28...-dire-straits/

[snoopster]

David Knopfler played rhythm, I had the good fortune to see that iteration of Dire Straits live in the late 70's. Live, I think David used an MXR phase 90. In the studio IDK but, I wouldn't be surprised to discover he used a rack mount MXR flanger.

[snoopster]

Originally Posted by Dru Edwards

You're talking about the rhythm guitar, right? Sounds like a flanger

Edit: Just did some Googling. I think it's a phaser:
https://www.mk-guitar.com/2011/06/28...-dire-straits/

Well, there you have it. A good Phase Shifter should get you there. I imagine a good flanger, dialed in, could get you there too. I had one of those Peavey amps back in the late 70's, great amps. Sold it and bought a Fender Deluxe Reverb.

[Teleplucker]

+1 for phase shifter. I was in a cover band that played this song back in the day when it came out. I also got to see Dire Straits in a nearly empty Greensboro Coliseum on their first tour. There might have been 2000 people there.

[snoopster]

Originally Posted by Teleplucker

+1 for phase shifter. I was in a cover band that played this song back in the day when it came out. I also got to see Dire Straits in a nearly empty Greensboro Coliseum on their first tour. There might have been 2000 people there.

I was one of those 2000 people, that's where I saw them as well. Didn't even fill the lower section. One of the best shows I've ever seen, the vocal harmonies really stood out to me at that show. Small world.

[rokdog49]

Man, what a guitarist that guy is.

[dnf777]

Originally Posted by snoopster

I was one of those 2000 people, that's where I saw them as well. Didn't even fill the lower section. One of the best shows I've ever seen, the vocal harmonies really stood out to me at that show. Small world.

You two made me green with envy! Aside from their huge chart-topping hits, Dire Straits and solo Mark K are phenomenal musical talents.

While I missed the Greensboro show, I did see Knopfler in Pittsburgh a few years back, and hearing him play Sultans on that red strat was a musical event I shall never forget!

[CoolerKing]

Originally Posted by Dru Edwards

You're talking about the rhythm guitar, right? Sounds like a flanger

Edit: Just did some Googling. I think it's a phaser:
https://www.mk-guitar.com/2011/06/28...-dire-straits/

Woohoo! Thanks😁

[mr. beaumont]

It really sounds like a "thumb on the reel" tape flange to me...

They're all similar effects. Could certainly be reproduced live with a slow phaser setting.

[FoxHound4690]

Sounds to my ears like a very light flanger effect. I may be wrong though it might be a phaser but again it's only a light effect.