Comfortably numb amp settings — Fender Deluxe Reverb
The Pink Floyd guitar tone for “Comfortably numb”, dialed in for a Fender Deluxe Reverb with a Fender Stevie Ray Vaughan Stratocaster. Studio version, The Wall (1979)
1969 Black Strat (DiMarzio FS-1 bridge, stock Fender neck/middle) → Big Muff Pi (Ram's Head) → Boss GE-7 EQ → Hiwatt DR103 → WEM cabs with Fane Crescendos; MXR Digital Delay
| Knob | Setting (0–10) |
|---|---|
| Gain | 4 |
| Bass | 6 |
| Mid | 6 |
| Treble | 4 |
| Presence | 5 |
| Reverb | 3 |
| Master | 6 |
01Electro-Harmonix Big Muff Pi
RECOMMENDED — not currently owned. This pedal is NON-NEGOTIABLE for this tone. The Hiwatt ran clean; the Big Muff IS the gain source. Ram's Head variant preferred, but any Big Muff gets you there. Budget option: EHX Green Russian reissue or Sovtek Deluxe.
02MXR Carbon Copy (or any analog delay)
RECOMMENDED — not currently owned. Set delay time to ~400-420ms. The spacious repeats are essential to the blooming, ethereal quality. Budget option: Donner Yellow Fall, Joyo Analog Delay.
Your Deluxe Reverb has more treble sparkle and less midrange than Gilmour's Hiwatt, so I've cut treble to 4 (Hiwatt was ~6) and pushed mids to 6 to recover the vocal midrange presence. The Deluxe Reverb's onboard spring reverb adds ambient depth the original got from room mics and plate reverb—set at 3, not higher, to avoid washing out note definition. Without a Big Muff, this tone is impossible; the Deluxe Reverb's clean headroom actually mirrors the Hiwatt's role perfectly—it stays clean while the fuzz does the work.
Get this tone on your amp
These settings are for a Fender Deluxe Reverb. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.
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