How to Get the Pink Floyd / David Gilmour Guitar Tone

David Gilmour's guitar tone is one of the most sought-after sounds in rock: smooth, singing and drenched in delay. It defines albums like The Dark Side of the Moon, Wish You Were Here and The Wall. Here's how to recreate it.

What makes the Pink Floyd / Gilmour tone?

• Guitar: a Fender Stratocaster, usually the neck or middle single-coil.
• Amp: a clean, powerful Hiwatt-style head with lots of headroom.
• Overdrive: a Big Muff fuzz for leads (Comfortably Numb, Time), plus a mild boost.
• Effects: long analog delay, subtle modulation and light reverb — the delay is the secret.
• Technique: bends, vibrato and space. Gilmour plays fewer notes, but each one sings.

Settings to start from

Use a clean amp with the mids up, add a Big Muff for solos, and set a delay around 380–440 ms with 2–4 repeats. Keep reverb light so notes stay defined.

The fastest way: ready-made presets

Dialing every parameter by ear takes hours. Our rock guitar presets include Gilmour-accurate tones for Kemper, Line 6 Helix, Quad Cortex, ToneX, Fractal, Headrush and Pod Go — Pulse, Pompeii and studio tones ready to load. Instant download.

FAQ

What amp did David Gilmour use? Mainly Hiwatt Custom heads for their clean headroom.

Which pedal gives the Comfortably Numb solo tone? A Big Muff fuzz into a clean amp, with a long delay behind it.

Can I get the Pink Floyd tone on a Kemper or Quad Cortex? Yes — a good profile captures the amp, and the right delay and fuzz get you there instantly.