“This is not at all like what I’m used to. I have no idea why I never came across one of these earlier. Strat enthusiast After all this time, David Gilmour has developed a deep affection for the Gibson ES-335, and he uses one for the solo on his most recent single.
The new song from Gilmour’s upcoming solo album solidifies the Pink Floyd icon’s renewed appreciation for the semi-hollow classic, and he claims it’s his best work since The Dark Side of the Moon.
Although David Gilmour’s name will always be associated with a Fender Stratocaster, he’s currently indulging in a new romance with a Gibson ES-335 on his most recent single.
On September 6, the British progressive rock icon will release Luck and Strange, his first new solo album in nine years. He considers this album to be his best since The Dark Side of the Moon, which is regarded as one of the all-time great guitar albums.
Beyond teaming up with a producer that showed a “wonderful lack of respect” for Gilmour’s distinguished past, a large portion of Luck and Strange’s charm stems from the abundance of guitars the Pink Floyd icon has used on its ten new tunes.
Along with other recent purchases, several of the guitars he couldn’t stand to part with at auction are featured, with a Gibson ES-335 luring the seasoned musician in his most recent single.
Via his YouTube account, Gilmour says, “I haven’t had a lot of experience with Gibson guitars, but this one I bought comparatively recently to have a different tone, a different thing.”
He continues, saying, “This is a very, very different sort of guitar to what I’m used to,” and he’s not incorrect. The sharp bite of a Strat—especially his famous black Strat, which broke records when it went up for auction in 2019 and was later performed by Kenny Wayne Shepherd—is a major component of the traditional Gilmour sound.
Playing a good guitar that you’re not used to provides you something every time you play it. Sometimes all you get is a song. This one truly is lovely.
Dark and Velvet Nights is the song that the semi-hollow electric guitar has given the Pink Floyd man. True to its name, it’s the darkest and, dare we say it, most Floydian piece that’s been released to date.
Since humbuckers have replaced Gilmour’s favorite single-coil arrangement, the Gibson is employed for a traditional Gilmour solo that sounds fatter and warmer.
The song comes after the lead single Piper’s Call, which included a solo that lasted for one and a half minutes, and Between Two Points, which has Romany Gilmour, his daughter, as a guest.
