13MONEY FOR NOTHING DIRE STRAITS

(1985)

One of rock’s happiest accidents

Aiming for a Billy Gibbons tone on his Mtv-breakout hit, Mark Knopfler chose a Les Paul Jr into a Laney 2x12 and rocked back his Morley wah pedal in increments until he found the sweet spot. Producer Neil Dorfsman mic’ed it with a single SM57, but as they were about to record, he noticed the mic had fallen out of position and was pointing at the floor. Thus was born the inimitable Money For Nothing tone. The notes are fairly standard, fitting largely around G minor pentatonic, but the wah overtones and Knopfler’s fingerstyle technique make it completely unique.