Confortably numb amp settings — Boss ME-50
The Pink Floyd guitar tone for “Confortably numb”, dialed in for a Boss ME-50 with a Fender Player Stratocaster. Studio version, The Wall (1979) — second solo
Hiwatt DR103 amp, Fender Stratocaster with neck pickup, Pete Cornish P-2 fuzz/sustainer, Electro-Harmonix Electric Mistress flanger, delay (Binson Echorec or MXR Digital Delay)
| Knob | Setting (0–10) |
|---|---|
| Gain | 5 |
| Bass | 4 |
| Mid | 7 |
| Treble | 6 |
| Master | 7 |
01COMPRESSOR block (ME-50 built-in)
Enables the singing sustain characteristic of Gilmour's tone
02OD/DS block — set to OD-1 mode (ME-50 built-in)
Light overdrive to push the amp model into smooth saturation without fizz
03MODULATION block — set to FLANGER mode (ME-50 built-in)
Emulates Electric Mistress — slow sweep, subtle jet sound
04DELAY block — set to DIGITAL mode (ME-50 built-in)
Approximately 440-500ms delay time with moderate repeats for spaciousness
The ME-50 lacks a true Hiwatt model, so MS CRUNCH provides the mid-forward British voicing closest to Gilmour's rig. Mid pushed to 7 compensates for the Marshall model's natural scoop vs Hiwatt's flat mids. Gain kept moderate at 5 because the OD-1 block adds the smooth saturation — stacking two gain stages lightly creates the compressed, singing quality without mud.
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