Mark Knopfler’s 2019 guitar rig has been revealed (2024)

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Mark Knopfler’s 2019 guitar rig has been revealed? ›

“On tour, we're using Kemper Profilers. We carry two, the main unit and a backup, and both are powered via a Furman Power Conditioner to avoid power spikes,” Saggers said. The Dire Straits guitarist raised eyebrows back in May with revelations that he had made the switch from 'real' amps to the Kemper.

The world didn't want to know about guitar heroics in the new-wave era, until the first two Dire Straits albums came along. On those records in particular, Mark Knopfler's soloing is clean, economical, and effortlessly tasty. His solo work largely downplays lead guitar, but it's still there between the lines.

"All electric guitars are strung with D'Addario XL110s, except for one Strat, which is strung with D'Addario XL115, and the Danelectro, which is strung with D'Addario EJ21.”

Mark Knopfler has spoken honestly about how his ability to play has “deteriorated” a little bit over recent years since the COVID-19 pandemic. The Dire Straits guitarist says it's partly to do with finding the motivation, and assures that he hasn't forgotten how to play, but just feels rusty.

Knopfler also has a collection of classic cars which he races and exhibits at shows, including a Maserati 300S and an Austin-Healey 100S. Knopfler was estimated to have a fortune of £75 million in the Sunday Times Rich List of 2018, making him one of the 40 wealthiest people in the British music industry.

1. Jimi Hendrix. Often regarded as the greatest guitarist of all time, Jimi Hendrix's innovative style and ability to manipulate sounds were unmatched. His legendary performance of “The Star-Spangled Banner” at Woodstock in 1969 remains a timeless symbol of artistic freedom and musical expression.

Alan Holdsworth

Perhaps the most technically proficient guitar player ever. Alan Holdsworth had an advanced understanding of music, theory, chords, and scales.

It's the thumb and first two fingers, and I tend to anchor with the back or my hand and my other two fingers, so it's a solid base. Do you pick with your fingernails or with the meat of your fingertips? It's really from skin, but sometimes the nail will catch.

Meanwhile, the full $510,000 realized by the final lot – a 2021 Gibson Les Paul goldtop reissue signed by everyone from Knopfler to David Gilmour, Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, Pete Townshend, Brian May, Slash, Tony Iommi, The Edge, Buddy Guy, Nile Rodgers and Joe Bonamassa (to name a few) – is going to Teenage Cancer Trust ...

The stress of composing, arranging songs, recording the then-requisite two albums and tours to support them took its toll on the brothers, and David left the band during the recording of their third album, Making Movies (1980), leaving him uncredited on the album.

Why doesn t Mark Knopfler play with a pick? ›

Mark Knopfler

He found the guitar impossible to play unless he used his fingers. “I was doing things with my fingers that I couldn't do with a pick – really fast things and what have you,” Knopfler told Guitar Player.

“This auction has been an incredible journey, and I am so pleased that these much-loved instruments will find new players and new songs as well as raising money for charities that mean a lot to me,” Knopfler said.

His current wife is Kitty Aldridge, a British actress and writer. They married in 1997 and have two daughters, Isabella and Katya. Benji Knopfler is also a musician, and has played drums in various bands.

"Sultans of Swing" scaled the charts to No. 4 in the United States and No. 8 in the United Kingdom. The song was one of Dire Straits' biggest hits and became a fixture in the band's live performances.

As a songwriter, he is regarded for his unique blend of folk, roots, pub rock, and country music. Knopfler developed an interest in music at an early age and was especially influenced by his uncle, who played piano and harmonica.

Knopfler is exceptionally skilled on the guitar, celebrated in particular for his trademark fingerstyle technique and distinctive sound. As a songwriter, he is regarded for his unique blend of folk, roots, pub rock, and country music.

Mark Knopfler's Guitar Style

Mark Knopfler, celebrated for his role in Dire Straits, is known for his fluid finger-picking style, blending rock with jazz and blues elements. His distinctive approach, characterized by a clear, articulate touch on the strings, is a study in expressive, narrative-driven guitar playing.

“I'll assure you it's a personal thing,” Illsley said on stage. “Let's just leave it at that.” In an earlier interview with Billboard, Illsley said of Knopfler: “He just didn't feel like coming, it's as simple as that. It just didn't appeal to him, and I appealed to him on several occasions.”

“Eventually, I found myself doing things with just my thumb and two fingers that I couldn't do with a pick. But I still use a plectrum now and again for strumming or for playing on acoustic tracks."