Pink Floyd Amp Settings & Guitar Tone
David Gilmour's tone is the gold standard for expressive lead guitar. Built on a Hiwatt DR103, Big Muff fuzz, and lush delays, his sound is warm, singing, and impossibly spacious.
Signature Sound
Gilmour's approach uses a very clean, powerful amp (Hiwatt) as a platform, with pedals providing the overdrive and atmosphere. The Big Muff gives smooth, sustaining fuzz for leads, while delay pedals create the spacious, cathedral-like ambience. His Strat's natural brightness is tempered by the Big Muff's warmth, creating a balanced tone that sings without ever being harsh.
Featured Tone
Comfortably Numb (1979)
1955/57 Fender Stratocaster ('Black Strat') → Hiwatt DR103 Custom 100 into WEM cabinets
Thick, singing, violin-like sustain with warm low end and creamy highs. Neck pickup Strat through Big Muff creates almost vocal quality. Lush delay and reverb add depth. Simultaneously powerful and ethereal.
Typical Gear & Settings
Average Amp Settings
Amplifiers
- Hiwatt DR103 Custom 100 into WEM cabinets
- Hiwatt AP100
Guitars
- 1955/57 Fender Stratocaster ('Black Strat')
- David Gilmour’s black Fender Stratocaster (Black Strat era)
Pickups
- single coil
Effects & Pedals
compressor
MXR Dyna Comp (1 song)
fuzz/overdrive
Electro-Harmonix Big Muff Pi (Ram's Head) (1 song)
delay
MXR Digital Delay (1 song)
reverb
Lexicon plate reverb (studio) (1 song)
boost/overdrive
Colorsound Power Boost (1 song)
fuzz
Fuzz Face (1 song)
delay/echo
Binson Echorec (tape echo) (1 song)
Pink Floyd Song Tones
Get Pink Floyd's Tone on Your Gear
Adapt Pink Floyd's amp settings to your specific guitar, amp, and pedals.
Adapt to Your AmpFree — no account needed