Comfortably Numb amp settings — Marshall JCM800 2203
The Pink Floyd guitar tone for “Comfortably Numb”, dialed in for a Marshall JCM800 2203 with a Fender American Professional II Stratocaster. Studio version outro solo, The Wall (1979)
Fender Stratocaster ('Black Strat' with DiMarzio FS-1 bridge pickup) -> MXR Dyna Comp -> EHX 'Ram's Head' Big Muff Pi -> Hiwatt DR103 100W Head & Yamaha RA-200 rotary cabinet
| Knob | Setting (0–10) |
|---|---|
| Gain | 8 |
| Bass | 6 |
| Mid | 7 |
| Treble | 5 |
| Presence | 4 |
| Master | 4 |
01Electro-Harmonix 'Ram's Head' Big Muff Pi
RECOMMENDED — not currently owned
02Digital Delay (Boss DD-3 style)
RECOMMENDED — not currently owned; set to ~440ms dotted eighth/quarter blend
Gilmour's core tone relies on a Ram's Head Big Muff hitting a clean Hiwatt DR103; because you have no pedals, plug into the JCM800's High Sensitivity input with preamp gain pushed to 8 to generate the necessary singing sustain directly from the amp. The JCM800 has a sharper upper-mid bite than a Hiwatt, so treble is held at 5 and presence at 4 with your Strat's tone knob rolled to 8 to mimic Gilmour's smooth, violin-like top end. Once you acquire a Big Muff, plug into the Low Sensitivity input, drop preamp gain to 2-3, and let the pedal provide the fuzz.
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These settings are for a Marshall JCM800 2203. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.
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