Fender Stratocaster
“The Black Strat”
Main guitar across most Pink Floyd work.
A heavily modified black Stratocaster, later reissued by Fender as a signature model.
Gear & Tone AtlasVerified
David Gilmour
Cambridge, United Kingdomprogressive rock, blues rock
Patient, melodic solos that feel composed rather than improvised.
Guitarist Profile
Artistry & Style
Signature Techniques
string bendingdelay-driven phrasingvolume swells
Key Takeaway for Players
“Leave space. Silence is a note too.”
Origin & Era
Cambridge, United Kingdom
52.21° N, 0.12° W
Gear & Tone Atlas
VerifiedEquipment & Sound
The instruments, pedals, amplifiers, and signal chain that shape the sound of David Gilmour.
What defines the sound
Signature Tone
Gilmour favours a black Stratocaster with a clean, headroom rich amp so every effect stays defined. A compressor evens out long bends, a Big Muff supplies thick sustaining fuzz, and modulation plus carefully timed delay create the wide, three dimensional space heard on Pink Floyd records. Phrasing and string bending carry the melody more than speed.
From guitar to amp
Signal Chain
- guitarConfirmed
Fender Stratocaster
Main guitar across most Pink Floyd work.
- compressorProbable
Compressor
Smooths sustain and evens out long bends.
- fuzzConfirmed
Electro-Harmonix Big Muff Pi
Thick, singing fuzz for lead lines.
- modulationProbable
Modulation
Chorus, flange and rotary movement for width.
- delayConfirmed
Analog and digital delay
Tempo synced repeats that build the signature space.
- ampConfirmed
Hiwatt
Loud, clean headroom platform that keeps effects clear.
Instruments
David Gilmour Guitars
Confirmed
On the board
Pedals & Effects
Compressor
Smooths sustain and evens out long bends.
compressor
Sources
SourcesEquipboard
Electro-Harmonix Big Muff Pi
Thick, singing fuzz for lead lines.
fuzz
Sources
SourcesElectro-Harmonix
Modulation
Chorus, flange and rotary movement for width.
modulation
Sources
SourcesEquipboard
Analog and digital delay
Tempo synced repeats that build the signature space.
delay
Sources
SourcesEquipboard
Amplification
David Gilmour Amps
Hiwatt
Loud, clean headroom platform that keeps effects clear.
Sources
SourcesWikipedia
Across the years
Eras
Fender Stratocaster
“The Black Strat”
Main guitar across most Pink Floyd work.
A heavily modified black Stratocaster, later reissued by Fender as a signature model.
Compressor
Smooths sustain and evens out long bends.
compressor
Sources
SourcesEquipboard
Electro-Harmonix Big Muff Pi
Thick, singing fuzz for lead lines.
fuzz
Sources
SourcesElectro-Harmonix
Modulation
Chorus, flange and rotary movement for width.
modulation
Sources
SourcesEquipboard
Analog and digital delay
Tempo synced repeats that build the signature space.
delay
Sources
SourcesEquipboard
Hiwatt
Loud, clean headroom platform that keeps effects clear.
Sources
SourcesWikipedia
For players
How to Sound Like David Gilmour
Key tone ingredients
- Stratocaster single coils
- clean high headroom amp
- Big Muff fuzz
- compressor
- modulation and delay
Affordable alternatives
- any S style guitar
- a clean solid state or modeling clean channel
- a Muff style fuzz clone
- a single delay with tap tempo
Suggested effect settings
- delay around 380 to 480 ms with a few repeats
- fuzz sustain high, tone to taste
- light compression
Amp settings
- clean channel with plenty of headroom
- mids present
- moderate treble
Playing technique tips
- focus on slow, vocal bends and long sustain
- let delay fill the space rather than fast picking
- use neck and middle pickups for warmth
What to avoid
- high gain saturation
- fast shredding runs
- short slapback that crowds the sound
Verification
Sources
Every gear claim links to a source. Items marked probable or inspired-by are not fully confirmed.
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