Guitar Tricks Insider February/March Digital Edition | Page 29

COVER STORY

“triplet echo” effect that he deployed on “Run
Like Hell” from 1979’s The Wall, and “Take It
Back” from 1994’s The Division Bell (you can also
hear this guitar effect on many classic U2 songs).
Speaking of gear, Gilmour says, “I gradually
worked towards developing my own tone. I
used all sort of effects and ways of playing,
getting more precise and deliberate about what I
wanted. After a while, I stopped fumbling around
so much. But you never stop completely. As
for guitar – all guitars are different from each
other. Some I buy because they are old and
beautiful, but the Fender Vintage Series guitar I
bought is probably as good as any Fender I own
– old or new. There is something to be said for
working in a guitar over time. That may be in my
imagination, but it seems to feel like that to me.
I also tend to like guitars without the new sticky
varnish on the neck.”

BACK TO SIMPLICITY
At the end of the day, Gilmour appreciates
the intrinsic joy of playing guitar and writing
instrumental tracks – many of which dominated
the last Pink Floyd album, The Endless River, in
2014. “Instrumentals are an excuse for me to
play guitar. It’s all music. For me, music is very
lyric-dominated these days and I love lyrics
and songs, but I also like listening to a good
instrumental and a good piece of playing on any
instrument. A beautiful chord sequence can be
very provocative and emotional.”
It’s a typical David Gilmour sentiment, just like
his beloved guitar heroes: simple and to the
point. If you’re interested in checking out his
recent work, dial up David’s latest solo album,
Rattle that Lock, or catch him during a rare US
tour later in 2016.

David Gilmour – Rattle That Lock

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