What fuzz pedal did David Gilmour use on Have a Cigar?

David Gilmour used a Dallas Arbiter Fuzz Face on "Have a Cigar." This silicon-based fuzz pedal provided the characteristic biting sustain and aggressive fuzz tone that defines the lead guitar parts on the track.

What amp did Pink Floyd use for Have a Cigar guitar tone?

The guitar tone on "Have a Cigar" was achieved using a Hiwatt DR103 amplifier. Gilmour favored Hiwatt amps for their clean headroom and transparency, which allowed his fuzz pedals to cut through clearly without additional amp distortion.

How to get David Gilmour's modulation sound on Have a Cigar?

The swirling modulation on "Have a Cigar" comes from a Univox Uni-Vibe pedal. This creates a phase-like, rotary speaker effect that adds the psychedelic texture to the sustained fuzz notes throughout the song.

What guitar did David Gilmour play on Have a Cigar?

David Gilmour used a Fender Stratocaster on "Have a Cigar." The Stratocaster's bright, cutting tone worked well with the Fuzz Face pedal to create the aggressive lead guitar sound heard on the track.

Where was Pink Floyd Have a Cigar recorded?

"Have a Cigar" was recorded at Abbey Road Studios in London with engineer Brian Humphries. The guitar parts were likely captured using a Neumann U67 microphone, possibly blended with a direct signal for added clarity.

lead guitar from "have a cigar" by pink floyd

have a cigar

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lead guitar

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Tone Profile

The lead guitar tone is characterized by a biting, sustained fuzz with a hint of rotary speaker modulation, creating a searing and slightly psychedelic sound.

Shop This Rig

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Fender Stratocaster(instrument)
Hiwatt DR103(amp)
Neumann U67(microphone)
Dallas Arbiter Fuzz Face(processing)
Univox Uni-Vibe(processing)

The Story

David Gilmour's lead guitar tone on "Have a Cigar" was achieved using a Fender Stratocaster through a Dallas Arbiter Fuzz Face into a Hiwatt DR103 amplifier, recorded at Abbey Road Studios with engineer Brian Humphries. The Hiwatt's clean, high-headroom platform allowed the Fuzz Face to provide the core fuzz saturation, while a Univox Uni-Vibe added the characteristic swirling modulation. The signal was captured with a Neumann U67 microphone, and Gilmour likely blended the miked amp signal with some direct input for added clarity.

Production Credits

Producer: Pink Floyd

Engineer: Brian Humphries

Recorded at: Abbey Road Studios, London

Signal Chain

Instrument: Fender StratocasterShop on Reverb

Amp: Hiwatt DR103Shop on Reverb

Microphone: Neumann U67Shop on Reverb

Processing: Dallas Arbiter Fuzz FaceShop on Reverb, Univox Uni-VibeShop on Reverb

Recreation Tips

Start with a Stratocaster-style guitar and a clean amp setting.
Use a Fuzz Face-style fuzz pedal with the gain set high for maximum sustain and bite.
Add a Uni-Vibe or chorus/vibrato pedal for modulation, but keep the effect subtle.
Experiment with microphone placement to capture the amp's full character, or blend with a direct signal.

Original Gear

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Fender StratocasterShop on Reverb(guitar)
Hiwatt DR103Shop on Reverb(amp)
Dallas Arbiter Fuzz FaceShop on Reverb(pedal)
Univox Uni-VibeShop on Reverb(pedal)
Neumann U67Shop on Reverb(mic)

Substitutions & Recommendations

Dunlop Fuzz Face Mini SiliconShop on Reverb$100-$130

Alternative to: Dallas Arbiter Fuzz Face

Faithful recreation of the original silicon Fuzz Face circuit that provides the same biting sustain and fuzz character essential to this tone

TC Electronic Viscous VibeShop on Reverb$120-$150

Alternative to: Univox Uni-Vibe

Accurately recreates the Uni-Vibe's photocell-based modulation that gives the swirling, phase-like texture heard on the lead parts

Boss Katana 100 MkIIShop on Reverb$350-$400

Alternative to: Hiwatt DR103

Provides clean headroom and transparency needed to let fuzz pedals shine through, similar to the Hiwatt's role as a clean platform

Neural DSP Archetype PliniPlugin Boutique$120-$140

Alternative to: Complete signal chain

Includes accurate Fuzz Face and Uni-Vibe models plus clean amp simulation that can recreate this entire signal chain in the box

Analogman Sun FaceShop on Reverb$200-$250