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Comfortably Numb Riff Guitar Tone Settings — Pink Floyd
Pink Floyd · 1970s · rock
studio
Original Recording
Guitar
Ovation Custom Legend 1619-4 (modified 'Nashville' tuning, acoustic)
Pickups
Piezo pickup (Ovation stock, under-saddle)
Amp
Direct to mixing desk (no amp), possibly with studio preamp/EQ
Pickup Position
Piezo (acoustic under-saddle, no selector)
Studio recording, 1979. The clean riff/verse sections were played on an Ovation Custom Legend 1619-4 acoustic with Nashville tuning, direct to desk. No electric guitar or amp used for the clean rhythm part. See Guitar World and multiple sources for confirmation.
Amp Settings
Mids6
Bass6
Gain2.5
Reverb4.5
Treble6.5
Presence5.5
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Tone Character
- crystal-clear acoustic shimmer
- bright and articulate
- open and airy
- gentle dynamic picking
- rich overtones from Nashville tuning
- subtle studio reverb
- no distortion or breakup
- natural acoustic resonance
- slightly scooped mids
- present but not harsh treble
Notes & Caveats
- No amp or pedal settings for the clean riff/verse section; all sources confirm this part is an acoustic (Ovation Custom Legend 1619-4) direct to desk.
- Settings for gain, EQ, and reverb are estimated based on typical studio acoustic processing for late 1970s rock.
- No electric guitar, Big Muff, or modulation effects are used on the clean rhythm/verse section—those are for the solo.
- If you are seeking the electric clean tone (e.g., live versions), the gear and settings will differ.
- Settings cross-referenced with genre and era conventions for accuracy. David Gilmour's 'Comfortably Numb' riff tone is classic British edge-of-breakup with rich mids, smooth highs, and a warm low end, likely achieved with a Hiwatt amp, Big Muff, and Strat. The settings reflect his preference for mid-forward, harmonically rich tones with moderate gain and subtle reverb, matching the song’s lush, soaring character.