Song Rig
Wish You Were Here
David Gilmour · Wish You Were Here · 1975
Tone Overview
What Makes This Sound Unique
One of the most recognisable acoustic introductions in rock, followed by a warm, gently delayed electric lead. The acoustic intro uses a Martin 12-string fingerpicked in open tuning; the electric sections use the Strat neck pickup through the Hiwatt with Binson Echorec quarter-note repeats that hang in the space between phrases.
Signal Chain
- 1Martin D-28 12-string (intro)
- 2Fender Stratocaster (neck pickup)
- 3Hiwatt DR103
- 4Binson Echorec (300ms quarter-note repeats)
Amp Settings
Lower gain than the Big Muff pieces — the Hiwatt's clean headroom does the tonal work here. The Binson Echorec is set to quarter-note repeats at 300ms, creating the signature echo that fills the space around the sustained notes in the outro lead.
Technique
How to Play It
Let each note bloom fully before applying vibrato — Gilmour's slow, wide vibrato is always delayed by about a second from the moment of attack. The acoustic intro uses capo at 7th fret with a specific fingerpicking figure around an open-D shape. For the electric passages, sustain matters more than speed.
Budget Alternative
Achievable With
Strat neck pickup + Boss DD-8 (300ms, 2–3 repeats at moderate level) into any clean amp. The acoustic intro requires a 12-string; a standard acoustic with capo at 7th fret approximates the timbre.
Your Gear
Adapt to My Amp
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