Buy their sound: David Gilmour

David Gilmour is an anomaly. Compositionally, the Pink Floyd guitarist references rootsy blues scales in his solos and places a similar emphasis on vibrato and string bends - nothing atypical in that.

But there is something in Gilmour’s approach, his meticulous use of vibrato and precision bending, that ethereal delay punctuated by pinched harmonic squeals, to suggest a more astrologically incredible influence. It’s as if he is a blues player answerable to a wholly alien set of physical laws. Few, if any, guitarists phrase a lick better.

He has used a variety of Les Pauls, Strats (his signature Strat was spec’d from his famous Black Strat) and Gretsch electrics, running these clean through 50-watt Hi-Watt or Fender combos, with a fuzz pedal providing the extra dirt for solos. And no self-respecting prog psychonaut could fail to appreciate his use of Maestro Rover rotating speakers for his Leslie effect.

We might have chosen a selection of gear that’ll bring you within touching distance of Gilmour’s tone, but with a guitarist who has an instinct for perfect note choice and placement, the real secret lies somewhere between his brain and his hands.

BUDGET: Classic Strat feel and tone at a fraction of the full price.

BUDGET: With more than 40 effects and 17 amp models, the Mustang is a great budget portal to Gilmour-esque tone.

BUDGET: You’ll need a wah to nail David’s sound.

Total spend on budget rig: £516 / $560*

(*approx. based on web prices)

BLOWOUT: It’s not the Black Strat, but it can be customised for an authentic Gilmour experience.

BLOWOUT: These pickups will get you ever closer to Gilmour’s Strat tones.

BLOWOUT: The classic ‘silverface’ has huge, beautiful cleans - a perfect base to build from.

BLOWOUT: Gilmour likes to add his gain with a fuzz pedal, and this one’s a doozy.

BLOWOUT: Every little helps when it comes to making those leads sing.

BLOWOUT: Essential for vintage Floyd psychedelics.

BLOWOUT: Another signal chain essential.

BLOWOUT: With boost and sweep control, the 535Q is one of the most expressive wahs on the market.

Total spend on blowout rig: £2,340.99 / $2,747

(*approx. based on web prices)