Comfortably Numb amp settings — Fractal Audio Axe-FX III
The Pink Floyd guitar tone for “Comfortably Numb”, dialed in for a Fractal Audio Axe-FX III with a Gibson ES-335. Studio version, The Wall (1979) — Outro Solo
1969 Fender Stratocaster (DiMarzio FS-1 bridge pickup) -> EHX Ram's Head Big Muff Pi -> MXR Dyna Comp -> Pete Cornish ST-2 Treble Boost -> Hiwatt DR103 Custom 100 + Yamaha RA-200 rotary cabinet
| Knob | Setting (0–10) |
|---|---|
| Gain | 3 |
| Bass | 5 |
| Mid | 7 |
| Treble | 5 |
| Presence | 4 |
| Reverb | 3 |
| Master | 7 |
01Fractal Compressor Block (Dynacomp / Studio FF)
Placed first to smooth the attack and feed constant level into the fuzz
02Fractal Drive Block (Pi Fuzz / Ram's Head model)
Primary gain source; tone backed off to prevent harsh high-end sizzle
03Fractal Drive Block (FET Boost / Tape Drive as Cornish ST-2)
Post-fuzz mild EQ lift to add body and upper-mid cut before the amp block
04Fractal Rotary Block (Yamaha RA-200 emulation)
Run in parallel or low mix in the signal path to add subtle swirling dimension
05Fractal Delay Block (Digital Delay / 2290 model)
Set around 370-440ms with 3-4 audible repeats to replicate studio plate and tape delay
Because the ES-335 humbuckers produce naturally warmer mids and higher output than Gilmour's single-coil DiMarzio FS-1, the Big Muff Drive and Tone controls are trimmed down to keep the low-end articulate and avoid flub. The clean Hiwatt amp block provides massive headroom, leaving all the singing saturation to the stacked Compressor and Pi Fuzz blocks. First solo note: roll guitar tone to 7 for extra warmth, or back off the boost block slightly.
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These settings are for a Fractal Audio Axe-FX III. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.
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