Dire Straits Members, Gear & Sound

Genre

Rock Pop rock Blues rock Soft rock Country rock Progressive rock Alternative country Roots rock Hard rock Classic rock Celtic rock Pub rock Sophisti-pop album rock mellow gold

Members

Select a Dire Straits band member to check out the music gear they use live and in the studio.

Mark Knopfler

Roles:

Singer Guitarist Composer

Groups:

Mark Knopfler’s Guitar Heroes Eric Clapton & His All Star Band The Notting Hillbillies Brewers Droop The Duolian String Pickers

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Omar Hakim

Roles:

Drummer Keyboardist Composer Music Producer

Groups:

Journey Weather Report David Bowie (band) CHIC Jack Sass Band John Scofield Band Miles Davis (solo) The Great Jazz Trio Madonna Sting The Sunday Night Band David Sanborn (band) Herbie Hancock (band) Marcus Miller (band) Mike Mainieri Quintet

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John Illsley

Roles:

Bassist

Groups:

K. Wallis B. And The Dark Shades Of Night John Illsley Band

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Neil Jason

Roles:

Singer Bassist Composer Music Producer

Groups:

Michael Jackson (band) Paul McCartney (Live Band) Roxy Music Hall & Oates Gladys Knight & the Pips John Lennon John McLaughlin Brecker Brothers David Sanborn (band)

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Guy E. Fletcher

Roles:

Keyboardist Composer

Groups:

Mark Knopfler’s Guitar Heroes Roxy Music The Notting Hillbillies Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel

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Alan Clark

Roles:

Keyboardist

Groups:

Eric Clapton & His All Star Band K. Wallis B. And The Dark Shades Of Night The Classic Crime Dire Straits Legacy

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Ray Cooper (2)

Roles:

Drummer

Groups:

Traveling Wilburys Eric Clapton & His All Star Band Blue Mink George's Band Elton John Band Rockestra The Singing Rebel's Band The House Band (2) Ian Dury & the Music Students The Philarmonics

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Sid McGinnis

Roles:

Guitarist

Groups:

Cool It Reba Paul Shaffer & The Party Boys Of Rock 'N' Roll The Orchestra For New York City

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Jack Sonni

Roles:

Guitarist

Groups:

Dire Straits Legacy

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Hal Lindes

Roles:

Guitarist

Groups:

Darling

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David Knopfler

Roles:

Guitarist

Needs more gear

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Pick Withers

Roles:

Drummer

Groups:

Brewers Droop

Needs more gear

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Mel Collins

Roles:

Keyboardist Saxophonist

Groups:

King Crimson Tears for Fears Camel Bad Company The Alan Parsons Project The Secret Police Snape The Bleeding Heart Band 21st Century Schizoid Band Dire Straits Legacy Kokomo Climax Blues

Needs more gear

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Terry Williams

Roles:

Drummer

Groups:

Rockpile

No gear added

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About

Dire Straits is a British rock band formed in London in 1977, renowned for their intricate blend of rock, blues, and country influences. The group was founded by Mark Knopfler (vocals, lead guitar), known for his distinctive fingerstyle picking, along with his brother David Knopfler (rhythm guitar), John Illsley (bass guitar), and Pick Withers (drums). Over the years, the lineup evolved, with notable members such as Alan Clark (keyboards) and Guy Fletcher (keyboards) contributing to their sound. Dire Straits are celebrated for their meticulously crafted compositions and storytelling lyrics, which have earned them a place among the most influential rock bands of their era.

How to Sound Like Dire Straits

Dire Straits' sound is characterized by clean, melodic guitar work and rich, dynamic arrangements. Their music often features warm, tube-driven tones that create a smooth yet powerful presence, significantly shaped by Mark Knopfler's preference for the Fender Stratocaster. The use of effects like the Crowther Hot Cake distortion pedal and the Dan Armstrong Orange Squeezer compressor adds subtle coloration and sustain, enhancing the expressive quality of their sound. Amplifiers like the Soldano SLO 100 provide a robust, articulate output that complements the band's blend of bluesy undertones and progressive rock structures. The result is a sound that's both expansive and intimate, appealing to musicians who appreciate a blend of technical prowess and emotional depth.

Discography

Dire Straits

1978

Communiqué

1979

Making Movies

1980

Love Over Gold

1982

Brothers in Arms

1985

On Every Street (Remaster)

1991

On the Night

1993

Live 1978–1992

2024

Get the Dire Straits Sound

Want to sound like Dire Straits? This gear comes straight from the setups of the band's members, based on proven sources. Dive into each artist's page for more detail and inspiration.