Riff Tone

Learning to Fly

Pink Floyd

Guitarrock1980s

Original Gear

GuitarFender Stratocaster (mid-1980s, likely '57 reissue or custom, with EMG SA pickups)

AmpGallien-Krueger 250ML (studio recording amp for 'Learning to Fly' riff section, 1987)

PickupsEMG SA single-coil (active, noiseless, mid-80s Gilmour setup)

Amp Settings

gain4.5

bass6

mid6.5

treble7

reverb4

presence6

Effects & Signal Chain

flangerUnknown Flanger pedal (model unknown)

chorusUnknown Chorus pedal (model unknown)

delayUnknown Digital Delay (rack or pedal, model unknown)

Notes

Studio recording, 1987, A Momentary Lapse of Reason sessions. Gilmour used a Stratocaster with EMG SA pickups and a Gallien-Krueger 250ML solid-state amp for the main riff. Effects were mostly rack-based or high-end pedals, not typical classic Floyd gear.

Tone Character(10)

bright and cuttingswirling modulationprocessed and moderntight and percussivecrunchy rhythmflangy/chorus textureclear single-coil attacknot overly saturatedstudio-processed claritydistinctive 80s shimmer

Difficulty

The riff is moderately challenging due to syncopated slides and the need for precise timing with modulation effects, but does not require advanced lead techniques.

Sources

Learning To Fly riff : r/pinkfloyd What instrument plays the catchy part in learning to fly? : r/pinkfloyd

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