Tone library / Pink Floyd / Comfortably Numb

Comfortably Numb amp settings — Peavey MAX 100

The Pink Floyd guitar tone for “Comfortably Numb”, dialed in for a Peavey MAX 100 with a Max Strat. Studio version outro solo, The Wall (1979)

Original rig

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

Smooth, singing violin-like fuzz sustain with slight rotary swirl and long ambient decay
Amp settings — Peavey MAX 100
CHANNELCleanBRIGHToffBOOSToff
GAIN 2 BASS 4 MID 6 TREBLE 5 MASTER 4
KnobSetting (0–10)
Gain2
Bass4
Mid6
Treble5
Master4
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Guitar
PICKUPbridge TONE8 VOLUME10
Signal chain

01Behringer SF300 Super Fuzz

Set mode switch to Fuzz 1 or Fuzz 2 (Fuzz 2 or 1.5 'hidden mode' matches the Muff scoop/sustain best). Primary gain source.

Level 7 · Treble 5 · Bass 4 · Gain 7

02Digital Delay / Tape Delay

RECOMMENDED — not currently owned (set around 380-440ms with 4-5 repeats for the signature spacious Gilmour decay)

Time 6 · Feedback 5 · Level 4
Why these settings

The Peavey MAX 100 is a clean, solid-state bass amplifier with wide frequency response, so keep its amp gain at 2 on the clean channel to prevent mud while the Behringer SF300 provides the entire fuzz gain. The MAX 100 lacks a dedicated presence or onboard reverb knob, so mid is pushed to 6 to restore Gilmour's singing mid-range cut through the bass speaker. Roll the guitar tone control down slightly to 8 to tame the top-end fizz of the SF300 into a full-range driver. Clean solo section switch: roll guitar volume back to 7 and switch pickup to neck.

PRO TIPPick firmly with the meat of your thumb alongside the plectrum to induce pinch harmonics on sustained bends, and slightly roll back guitar tone to round off harsh transience for that iconic violin-like attack.

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These settings are for a Peavey MAX 100. ToneAdapt matches any song to whatever amp, guitar and pedals you own — first match is free.

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