Shine On You Crazy Diamond

The recording

For the iconic opening four‑note phrase Gilmour tracked his 1969 ‘Black Strat’ straight into the mixing console, using studio input compression rather than a miked amp, which gave a clean, sustained sound. As the piece builds, the signal was routed through a Colorsound Power Boost and MXR Phase 90 into a Hiwatt DR103 head feeding a WEM Super Starfinder 200 4×12 cabinet, with a Leslie 147 rotary speaker and a Binson Echorec II providing modulation and echo.

Tuning Standard (E A D G B E)

Reported gear

1969 Fender Stratocaster ('Black Strat')

Guitar

Gilmour used his 1969 black Fender Stratocaster, employing the neck pickup for the clean intro and the bridge pickup for the later overdriven sections.

Colorsound Power Boost (1972)

Overdrive

The 18‑V Colorsound Power Boost was used to push the Hiwatt into high‑gain sustain for the solo, acting as both overdrive and fuzz.

MXR Phase 90 (1972)

Phaser

The Phase 90 adds the subtle swirling modulation heard in the middle sections of the track.

Hiwatt DR103 (1968)

Amplifier

The DR103 head, with Normal and Brilliant inputs linked, provided a clean, high‑headroom platform that Gilmour drove hard with the Power Boost.

WEM Super Starfinder 200 4×12 Cabinet (1973)

Cabinet

The Hiwatt was paired with a WEM Super Starfinder 200 4×12 cabinet, delivering tight low‑end and articulate highs that helped the guitar cut through the mix.

Leslie 147 Rotary Speaker (1960s)

Rotary Speaker

A Leslie 147 rotary speaker adds the iconic swirling, organ‑like texture to the guitar’s sustain during the solo.

Binson Echorec II (1971)

Delay/Echo

The Binson Echorec II provided the tape‑echo repeats that colour the later sections, adding a lush ambient texture.

Alternatives

Squier Classic Vibe Stratocaster

Modern equivalent · for the 1969 Fender Stratocaster ('Black Strat')

$400 to $500

2×12 cabinet with Celestion Vintage 30 speakers

Modern equivalent · for the WEM Super Starfinder 200 4×12 Cabinet (1973)

$800 to $1,000

Fulltone OCD

Modern equivalent · for the Colorsound Power Boost (1972)

$250 to $300

Leslie 1220 (reissue)

Reissue · for the Leslie 147 Rotary Speaker (1960s)

$2,200 to $2,800

MXR Phase 90 (reissue)

Reissue · for the MXR Phase 90 (1972)

$150 to $180

Electro‑Harmony Memory Man

Modern equivalent · for the Binson Echorec II (1971)

$250 to $350

Hiwatt Custom 50 (reissue)

Reissue · for the Hiwatt DR103 (1968)

$2,200 to $2,800

Practical playing approach

Recreation guidance, not a claim about undocumented studio control positions.

1. 1.Select the neck pickup and roll off the tone knob for the clean, sustaining intro.
2. 2.Engage a boost pedal and use the bridge pickup for the soaring overdriven passages.
3. 3.Set the Phase 90 to a slow rate and keep depth moderate for subtle swirling.
4. 4.Use a compressor or volume pedal to sustain each note while the rotary speaker adds movement.
5. 5.Play legato phrases, letting each note ring into the next with gentle bends.