Comfortably Numb amp settings — Headrush MX5
The Pink Floyd guitar tone for “Comfortably Numb”, dialed in for a Headrush MX5 with a Artist LP6G Crimerian. Studio version, The Wall (1979) — second/outro solo (the iconic soaring lead)
1969 Fender Stratocaster with DiMarzio FS-1 bridge pickup, Hiwatt DR103 100W head (linked Normal/Brilliant channels), WEM 4x12 cab with Fane speakers, Yamaha RA-200 rotary speaker, MXR Dyna Comp compressor, Electro-Harmonix Ram's Head Big Muff Pi fuzz, Electric Mistress flanger, ~480ms delay
| Knob | Setting (0–10) |
|---|---|
| Gain | 4 |
| Bass | 6 |
| Mid | 4 |
| Treble | 5 |
| Presence | 6 |
| Reverb | 3 |
| Master | 5 |
01Compressor block (Dyna Comp style)
Essential for the smooth, even sustain — keeps signal strong going into the fuzz
02Big Muff Pi block (Ram's Head style fuzz)
The core of the singing lead tone — Tone at 35-40% range prevents fizz while keeping clarity
03Chorus block (CE-2 style or Rotary sim)
Emulates the Yamaha rotary speaker swirl — keep subtle, not dominant
04Delay block (digital or tape style)
Set to 450-500ms — the delay is prominent but not overwhelming; 3-4 repeats
Your LP6G has humbuckers vs Gilmour's hot single-coil — the higher output means less fuzz sustain needed (dropped from 6 to 6, but watch for mud). Roll tone knob to 8 to tame humbucker brightness through the Muff. The MX5's Hiwatt model runs cleaner than a cranked real Hiwatt, so the Big Muff block does all the gain work — keep amp gain low (4) for clarity. Presence at 6 adds the articulate cut Gilmour gets from his Fane speakers.
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These settings are for a Headrush MX5. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.
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