Riff Tone

Sorrow

Pink Floyd

Guitarrock1980s

Original Gear

GuitarFender Stratocaster (1984 57V reissue, Black Strat, EMG DG20 pickups, used for studio recording of 'Sorrow')

AmpGallien-Krueger 250ML (used for main riff/intro in studio recording)

PickupsEMG SA single-coil set with EMG SPC mid-boost (DG20 set)

Amp Settings

gain7.5

bass6

mid7

treble7.5

reverb3.5

presence6.5

Effects & Signal Chain

boostEMG EMG SPC Mid-Boost (onboard preamp)

Notes

Studio recording, 1986-1987. The main riff/intro of 'Sorrow' was famously recorded by David Gilmour using his Black Strat fitted with EMG DG20 pickups, direct into a Gallien-Krueger 250ML solid-state amp, not his usual Hiwatt/Mesa rig. This is specific to the studio version, not live performances.

Tone Character(10)

massive saturated distortion wallsinging sustain with long feedbacktight and compressed attackrazor-sharp clarityprocessed, almost synthetic fuzzmidrange punch and presencedistinctive solid-state amp bitevery little amp sag or bloomstudio-processed direct soundhuge, enveloping stereo image

Difficulty

The riff requires control over feedback and sustain, tight rhythmic playing under heavy gain, and dynamic pick attack to maintain clarity. While not technically virtuosic, the tone and articulation are challenging to replicate authentically.