Solo Tone

Comfortably Numb (Live at Pompeii 2016)

David Gilmour

Guitarrock2010s+

Original Gear

GuitarFender Custom Shop David Gilmour Signature Stratocaster (Black Strat)

AmpHiwatt DR504 Custom 50 Head with WEM 4x12 cabinet (Live at Pompeii 2016)

PickupsCustom-wound single-coil Stratocaster pickups

Amp Settings

gain6

bass6.5

mid7.5

treble7

reverb3

presence6

Effects & Signal Chain

compressionBoss Boss CS-2 Compression Sustainer

boostColorsound Colorsound Power Boost

fuzzElectro-Harmonix Electro-Harmonix Ram's Head Big Muff Pi

delayTC Electronic Delay pedal (likely TC Electronic 2290 or similar high-quality digital delay)

Notes

Live performance, 2016. Gilmour used his Black Strat with custom single-coil pickups, running into a Hiwatt DR504 head and WEM 4x12 cab. Effects chain included Big Muff, Colorsound Power Boost, and delay. No evidence of amp-based reverb or modulation; all effects appear to be from pedals. No evidence of Fender Twin Reverb used in this specific live setup.

Tone Character(10)

singing sustainsmooth lead tonerich harmonic overtonesliquid sustaincreamy fuzzclear note separationambient spaciousnessdelayed repeatsexpressive bendsdynamic touch sensitivity

Difficulty

The solo demands advanced bending and vibrato technique, precise control of sustain and dynamics, and the ability to phrase melodically over a slow tempo with complex delay timing. The emotional expressiveness and control required make it challenging even for experienced players.

Sources

What is the recipe for Pink Floyd Comfortably Numb solo tones?David Gilmour 2016 Tour Effects Signal Chains | The Gear Page David Gilmour's Guitar Gear, Pedalboard & Equipment - Equipboard

This tone has been researched 15 times by the community

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