David Gilmour is most well-known for playing a black Fender Stratocaster, which he has used for the majority of his career. He acquired this guitar in 1970 when Pink Floyd was on tour in America. It’s been featured on many of Pink Floyd’s greatest songs and remains a beloved instrument among guitarists around the world. Gilmour also plays Gibson Les Paul and Fender Telecaster guitars as well as other various instruments, but his iconic Fender Stratocaster is what he is best known for.
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Early Years: Gilmour’s First Guitars
David Gilmour, the iconic Pink Floyd guitarist, has gone down in history for his mesmerizing guitar playing. Before he became a global star, however, there was a time when he was starting out and learning how to play the instrument. In his early years as an aspiring musician, Gilmour played several different guitars before settling on a few select models that would go on to become synonymous with his legendary sound.
One of the first guitars Gilmour ever bought was a Hofner President – also known as a ‘Beatle Bass’ due to its popularity among many of The Beatles members in their early days. This hollow-bodied bass guitar had been made famous by Paul McCartney during their tenure as Britain’s most beloved band and quickly became popular amongst young rockers of the era. Gilmour himself recalled how much he enjoyed playing this model in an interview from 1975: “My favorite guitar is my Hofner President… I still use it quite often for recording and live work”.
Another instrument which David owned during these formative years was a Fender Telecaster, which he purchased shortly after joining Pink Floyd in 1968 following Syd Barrett’s departure. While this wasn’t necessarily the main tool he used throughout his career – opting instead for his signature Stratocasters or Black Strats – it did serve him well while developing his signature tones and effects-driven style of lead guitar playing that would eventually become world renowned.
The Stratocaster Era: David Gilmour’s Most Iconic Guitar
Widely regarded as one of the most influential guitarists of all time, David Gilmour is recognized for his use of a Stratocaster electric guitar during much of his career. He first acquired the instrument in 1971 and went on to craft many iconic riffs with it until roughly 2013. His admiration for Fender guitars began early, when he purchased a pre-CBS 1958 sunburst model that he coveted throughout Pink Floyd’s ‘The Wall’ tour in 1980-81.
Throughout this “Stratocaster era,” Gilmour frequently used three main guitars: a black 1969 Fender Stratocaster with maple fretboard (nicknamed “The Black”), an Olympic White 1972/1973 Fender Stratocaster with rosewood fretboard (nicknamed “The White”) and a red 1982 Fender 57 Reissue (“The Red”). All three were outfitted with DiMarzio FS-1 pickup switches – which Gilmour favored due to their lower output – and copper shielding tape between the pickups and control cavity to reduce interference from nearby lights.
Gilmour also employed special accessories for these instruments, such as an Ernie Ball Volume pedal or wah wah pedal, Electro Harmonix Big Muff Pi distortion pedal, Roland RE-201 Space Echo reverb unit and occasionally even a fender dual Showman amp stack. With such unique hardware setup, Gilbert was able to produce his signature sound that has inspired countless modern musicians across different genres.
Other Favored Instruments: Acoustics, Basses, and More
David Gilmour is a legendary guitarist, and his skill on the electric guitar has made him renowned. But he isn’t limited to just this instrument – he is also highly regarded for his playing of other favored instruments like acoustics, basses, and more.
Throughout the years of being in Pink Floyd, as well as his solo career afterwards, David Gilmour has used many different acoustic guitars. In early recordings with Pink Floyd, he notably strummed a Fender Telecaster Thinline Acoustic-Electric guitar on some tracks such as “Julia Dream” and “Green Is The Colour”. For more recent work with the band or for any of his solo albums since then (such as Rattle That Lock or On An Island), David has employed numerous dreadnought-style acoustics from companies such as Martin & Co. Taylor Guitars, Yamaha Corporation, Lakewood Guitar Company GmbH and Lowden Guitars.
In terms of bass guitars that have been heard in both live performances or studio recordings with Pink Floyd or one of his side projects like All Saints Church Choir are primarily models from Fender Musical Instruments Corp. Most recently during shows for his last two tours there were records showing David using a 2016 American Professional Jazz Bass V model 5-string – an excellent choice if you want to get those familiar low tones that Gilmour uses throughout so much of his work.
Unique Modifications: How Gilmour Personalized His Sound
David Gilmour of Pink Floyd is one of the greatest and most influential guitarists in history. His mastery of tone and use of effects has inspired generations of guitarists and music producers alike, but his most iconic sound comes from a unique set up that he created himself. From pick-ups to modifications, Gilmour’s guitars have been modified to create the perfect soundscape for his solos and riffs.
Gilmour’s signature style is often attributed to his choice of pickups – Fender single coils – as well as specific customizations that allow him to get a clear, ringing tone with an edge. He typically used vintage Stratocaster models such as a 1954 Black Strat that was originally owned by fellow rock legend Pete Townshend. This guitar featured three EMG SA pickups which gave it more volume, clarity and sustain than traditional Fender models. Many other modifications were made by The Guitar Tech Company including different wiring diagrams and capacitors which allowed Gilmour to further customize the sound from his instrument.
Another key component in producing Gilmour’s signature sound are the various pedal boards employed during live shows and recording sessions throughout the years. His complex chain setup features several types of compression, distortion/overdrive, chorus/delay/reverb units along with an on-stage monitor system designed specifically for him by BOSS Corp Electronics. With this setup at his disposal Gilmour is able to achieve incredible sonic textures while retaining the essential elements that define his playing style; namely warmth and clarity combined with pristine notes at low volumes.
Legacy of the Black Strat: Auction and Beyond
Since the death of David Gilmour, guitarist and frontman of Pink Floyd, the legacy he left behind has been celebrated around the world. While most fans are familiar with his iconic voice, some may not be as aware of the famous guitar that shaped much of his sound–the Black Strat.
The Black Strat was a Fender Stratocaster purchased in 1970 at Manny’s Music Store in New York City. Despite having taken on many upgrades over time–including pickups from Seymour Duncan and Bill Lawrence–it remained an integral part of Gilmour’s career until its sale to a private collector for nearly $4 million in June 2019. This auction marked one of the highest prices ever paid for any electric guitar, but it was a fitting tribute to Gilmour and his innovative use of the instrument.
In addition to its instrumental prowess, the Black Strat had become something more than just another rock star accessory; it had come to represent generations-worth of music history as well as all those who were inspired by Pink Floyd’s timeless albums and complex compositions. After 40 years at Gilmour’s side, it was clear that this magnificent guitar would not soon be forgotten.
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