Tone library / Pink Floyd / Comfortably Numb

Comfortably Numb amp settings — Marshall Code 50

The Pink Floyd guitar tone for “Comfortably Numb”, dialed in for a Marshall Code 50 with a Fender Stratocaster. Studio version, The Wall (1979) — second solo tone

Original rig

1969 Fender Stratocaster (DiMarzio FS-1 bridge) → MXR Dyna Comp → EHX Big Muff Pi → Hiwatt DR103 Custom 100 (linked channels, clean headroom)

Singing, vocal-like lead with endless sustain, smooth compression, throaty midrange from the Big Muff
Amp settings — Marshall Code 50
CHANNELJTM45 amp model (closest to Hiwatt clean headroom voicing)BRIGHToffBOOSToff
GAIN 3 BASS 5 MID 6 TREBLE 5 PRESENCE 5 REVERB 2 MASTER 5
KnobSetting (0–10)
Gain3
Bass5
Mid6
Treble5
Presence5
Reverb2
Master5
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Guitar
PICKUPbridge TONE10 VOLUME10
Signal chain

01Marshall CODE built-in Compressor

Emulates the MXR Dyna Comp squash — enable in the CODE's effects section

Threshold 4 · Level 6

02Marshall CODE built-in Big Muff / Fuzz

Select the 'Muff' or 'GUV' fuzz model in the pedal section — this is your primary gain source

Volume 4 · Tone 6 · Sustain 6

03Marshall CODE built-in Delay (Vintage/Analog type)

Analog or Vintage delay type — adds depth and extends sustain on held notes

Time 5 · Feedback 4 · Level 4
Why these settings

The Hiwatt is famously clean with tight bass and crystalline highs—the JTM45 model on the CODE is the closest to that clean-platform character versus the more mid-forward JCM800 models. Mid bumped +1 from the original Hiwatt setting because the CODE's JTM45 model is slightly scooped compared to a real Hiwatt. The CODE's built-in fuzz model replaces the external Big Muff; keep amp gain LOW so the fuzz does the work.

PRO TIPGilmour's endless sustain comes from stacking light compression into moderate fuzz into a loud, clean amp — let notes bloom by picking lightly near the neck pickup area even when the bridge pickup is selected, and use slow finger vibrato rather than wrist vibrato for that vocal quality.

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These settings are for a Marshall Code 50. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.

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