A belated "Happy New Year!" to one and all.

I hope you haven't missed this place too much. If you have, then for God's sake, please take a deep breath (get it?) before you read any further.

There are some changes being made at the moment, so the Blog is not quite ready for you yet.

However, it will be back, better than ever, very soon.

Until then, don't give up on those New Year's Resolutions...

Sadly, we've not only reached the end of our Christmas raffle, but we've also reached the end of Phil Taylor's Q&A.

Hope you've enjoyed both.

Thanks again to Phil for his time, and to everybody who sent in a question or two.

Our final raffle winners are Nate (1) and Linda (9). Nate wins a rare US radio promo disc, whilst an exclusive PBS CD of tracks from David's stint at Abbey Road last year will be winging its way to Linda.

Please let us know where they should be sent.

Finally, and as if enough tears haven't already been shed thanks to the opening line, this is also the very last entry for 2007, so do have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Thank you all very much for your support over the last two years.

There was supposed to be a chat today, but, due to technical problems, now there won't be. Sorry to disappoint you.

What is the preferred recording platform at Astoria? Is it all straight to tape or a digital/analogue dump? (Paul B)
- Different people have different preferences, with choices made for flexibility, rather than purely for audio resolution. Generally, these days, Protools gets used - our system has Euphonix convertors and Shunyata cryogenic power distribution with Kimber and Van denHul cabling. Contrary to popular belief, the digital recording platform is the hardest medium in which to retain the resolution (audio quality), everything makes a difference to the sound and digital is very susceptible to degradation. If you want to know more about this, check out an interview I did with Tape Op magazine about Astoria a couple of years ago.

Do you have an amusing anecdote you could share with us, be it about David, or anyone else? (Rob)
Yes, my mum still wonders when I am going to get a proper job.

We have three winners today, and their numbers were: 31, 82 and 84.

Meddle, you win a copy of Phil Taylor's book.

Peter McConnell and James Ward, you each win a set of GHS Boomers for the guitar of your choice.

Please let us know whether you want a set of strings for a Fender Stratocaster or a Gibson Les Paul, along with your addresses.

Congratulations to you all.

The final draw takes place on Wednesday.

Our chatroom will also be open that day, between 11AM and 1PM (UK).

A quick update on Phil's book...

It will be available from the larger of the UK's Borders stores in 2008, not only up until the end of this year, as has been reported. We'd still recommend TheBlackStrat.com for orders, though.

Here's a wee bit more from Phil's Q&A to wrap up for another day.

Thanks to Julie and Linda for providing the questions.

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What is the most disastrous technical experience you have encountered during a sound check/concert? (Julie Davies)
David’s amplifier/effects rig failing at a Pink Floyd show in Helsinki - during the show. If anybody else in the band's equipment fails, the show carries on; if David’s fails, the show stops until I get it working. Not much pressure there, then.

What is the best David Gilmour/Pink Floyd gig you ever worked on? (Linda)
Very difficult, there are many reasons for liking different nights. Sometimes just one song from one night can be fantastic. As a tour, the most enjoyable that I have ever done was 'On An Island' last year: great music, great band, great crew. The best one I ever saw from the audience - in fact the best gig I have ever been to - was Pink Floyd at Earls Court in London in 1973: a stunning audio visual surround experience.

Today's winners are Paul C (20) and Davie (72), who, respectively, win Best Buy and Borders copies of the 'Remember That Night' DVD. These were exclusive to the US and are Region 1, don't forget, but they're certainly nice items to add to the collection.

The Best Buy version comes with a three-track CD featuring 'On An Island', 'Take A Breath' and 'High Hopes' from the AOL sessions. The Borders version comes with a poster of David playing at Abbey Road.

Well done, both. Please let us know where your prizes should be sent.

The next prize draw will be on Monday, when a copy of Phil Taylor's fine book, 'The Black Strat: A History Of David Gilmour's Black Fender Stratocaster', and some equally-fine (apparently) GHS strings for the guitar of your choice will be the prizes at stake.

If you don't want to be considered for these, please say so.

Don't forget, you can find out more about both Phil and his book at TheBlackStrat.com.

Just the one answer from Phil today, but it's a lengthy one.

Your thoughts, as always, are most welcome.

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Do you reckon it's true that David himself is the secret to the Gilmour sound (i.e. he could pick up an 80 quid Strat copy and still sound like Gilmour, or is that just a sweeping statement used by people who find that they cannot get 'the sound'?) (Emma)
Yes, no question, it is true. David's choice of notes and sense of melody and timing, both the physical attack and subtleties with both hands in playing of the instrument and his setting of the equipment and control of it to work in conjunction with what he is playing. It is the combination of all this that is his sound. This said, the quality of the sound can be enhanced by using better sounding equipment. Think - does it sound like David if he is using a Telecaster, Les Paul, Gretsch Duo Jet or a Lap Steel instead of a Strat? We once did a TV show with Mark Knopfler - he used David’s Red Strat with David’s amp on David’s settings and who did he sound like? Mark Knopfler, of course. Like any great guitarist, so much of the sound is him. I have never heard anybody sound like David, because this is the real deal from the man who created it. You can only sound like yourself, perhaps trying to imitate somebody else. Like the mimicking professional parrots, such as in Roger Waters' band or Pink Floyd cover bands, who try their best, but it does not sound like David. It is best summed up by an analogy: it is like a facsimile of an original piece of artwork.

The all-important numbers for this draw were 32, 45, 46 and 59, meaning that our winners today are: Ulli (who wins a signed programme from the 'Remember That Night' premieres, plus an Odeon Leicester Square VIP pass), Paul Sexton, Robyn, and Joe from Canada (who each win a programme and pass).

Congratulations to you. Please let us know where your prizes should be sent.

There'll be another prize draw on Friday, with US-only exclusives of the 'Remember That Night' DVD up for grabs. If you don't want to be considered for either a Best Buy, or Borders, disc (the former includes a three-track CD, the latter comes with a rather nice poster), please speak up.

Here's some more from Phil Taylor.

We'd be interested to hear which three guitars you'd choose, by the way…

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If you could hypnotize David into handing over three of his guitars to you, which would they be and why? (Buffalo Phil)
Why stop at three?

I just read on this site that David is a "Gooner". Are you a "Gooner" also? (Barbara Phillips)
Man United for ever.

In your opinion, which delivers the 'true' Floyd tone, the Pete Cornish P-2 or the newer G-2? (Randall Yeager)
- Neither, David has almost never used Pete Cornish distortion pedals – a popular misconception. He has them in pedal boards, but only as alternates to his favourites, and as separate pedals. He has tried them (as he has many other makes: Rat, Boss HM2, etc.), but his choice is nearly always EH Big Muff, BK Butler Tube Driver, and, in the earlier days, a Fuzz Face or a Colorsound Overdriver.

Thank you for entering our Christmas raffle by sending in your six numbers over the weekend. Please click the image above to see if any of them proved lucky for you.

Prize draws will take place on Wednesday and Friday of this week, Monday and Wednesday of the next.

The prizes/draws are as follows (feel free to opt-out of any draw, if you so wish):

Wednesday 12 December:
Premiere Draw, four winners

One programme, from the 'Remember That Night' premieres, signed by David, plus an Odeon Leicester Square VIP pass. Three runner-up prizes of an unsigned programme and pass.

Friday 14 December:
DVD Draw, two winners

- One Best Buy 'Remember That Night' DVD (Region 1), with three-track CD.
- One Borders 'Remember That Night' DVD (Region 1), with poster.

Monday 17 December:
Guitarists' Draw, three winners

- One copy of Phil Taylor's book, 'The Black Strat'.
- One set of GHS strings for the guitar of your choice: Strat or Les Paul.

Wednesday 19 December:
CD Collectors' Draw, two winners

- One three-track US radio promo CD.
- One exclusive four-track Abbey Road/PBS CD.

We kick-off this evening with a special prize draw just for the ladies.

We have two brand new, never-before-seen David Gilmour scarves - of all things - (one in navy, one in crimson), which are due for production next year.

Made in Uruguay from 100% pure lambswool, embroidered with tassels, no less, they both have the wireman logo at one end and the now-familiar 'David Gilmour' logo at the other. The navy one has white embroidery, the crimson one has black.

The winners of these are Lynn (42) and Stephanie (57).

Well done, both. Please let us know where your prizes should be sent.

Our chatroom will be open tomorrow from 3PM (UK time), should you want to talk about scarves, or anything else.

Here's a bit more from Phil Taylor...

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Are the red Strats modified, besides the EMG and electronics? Perhaps a Pre-CBS or Callaham bridge block… (Ernest Peske)
- Not currently. They have had different parts: bridge saddles, string trees and springs at times.

It's been said that Eric Clapton retired Blackie because the guitar became unplayable. With electric guitars, and particularly Strats, being so interchangeable (swapping necks, changing electronics, etc.), can a guitar like a Strat truly become unplayable, and, if so, how much more life do you estimate is left for David's black Strat? (Andrew)
- Parts can always be replaced on a Strat. See my book 'The Black Strat' for all of the changes to David's.

I was wondering, was David's black Strat used on 'Live at Pompeii', or could it possibly be the Strat that El Magnifico used on last year's tour? (Amedeo)
- No, see my book, 'The Black Strat', for more information.

It's Christmas, not to mention two years to the day since the launch of David's website, so we've got some goodies for you to celebrate.

Indeed, Christmas just wouldn't be Christmas without some sort of raffle. Yet, in spite of my best efforts, the last one got a bit crazy, what with only having one brain (which is such a drag) and others demonstrating that they didn't even have that (just kidding).

So, for this one, please choose six numbers between one and 100. One of these numbers will be chosen for you. You can only have one number, nobody else can share it, and there will be several draws in the run-up to Christmas (using the same numbers).

Please get your numbers in by 6PM (UK) Sunday.

Numbers will be assigned on a first come, first served basis, with priority given to regular contributors. My decision will be final, taking into consideration the volume and frequency of posts submitted by individuals. If your chosen six numbers have already been claimed by others, unfortunately, you miss out.

If you have a problem with that possibility, please don't bother entering.

A grid showing who has claimed each of the 100 numbers will be visible to all on Monday, along with a list of prizes.

Have a good weekend, everyone.

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What's David's most valued piece of gear? (Jorge Rivera)
- I have no idea. You would have to ask him and define what you meant by 'valued'.

David's '55 Fender Esquire looks pretty beat up. What is the history behind this guitar? (Shane Y.)
- David got it from Seymour Duncan in the early '70s in this state. David just really likes it as an instrument and is not concerned with its look. It is interesting that there are wood saw marks across the body, leading us to refer to it as The Workmate (after the Black and Decker bench).

David's technique of playing, and particularly his bends, requires frequent changes of the strings; but does it also significantly decrease the life of the frets, requiring often refrets? (Andrew)
- No, I don’t think so. I don't know what the expected life of a fret is.

For anyone looking to buy the David Gilmour signature strings, produced by GHS, here are some links for you.

They aren't expected in shops in the US until next week (at the earliest), but you can make arrangements to order a set in advance.

First, it goes without saying that it's always worth supporting your local music shop, so why not ask them to order a pack for you?

If they need a helping hand, tell them to visit Rocktron, click WHERE TO BUY from the menu bar, and, if you're in the United States, you can search by city or zip/area code.

If you're not in the US, click here for a list of international dealers.

The chatroom will be open tomorrow from 12PM (UK).

Here's a little more from Phil Taylor...

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I know David uses two Hiwatt heads and two speaker cabinets. Are they all used simultaneously or are different head and cabinet combinations used for different songs? (Ax)
-Generally they are used simultaneously. For the 'On An Island' tour there was a third amp and cabinet for his Long Delay setting for 'Shine On You Crazy Diamond'.

Tube types in the Hiwatts... EL34s or KT-77? (George Gipe)
Mullard EL34s are what we have always used.

I've looked at genuine 1970s Hiwatt SA212s, but fear I may not be able to maintain them adequately. I see Hiwatt do a reissue David Gilmour SA212, another option. More importantly, I'd like your view on what I should buy, maybe even Fender? (Paul C)
- First, you most likely do not need a 50 watt amp at home - more like a three to 10 watts good tube amp would do. Original Hiwatts are known to be about the most reliable amplifiers ever built, but far too powerful for home. They would only just tick over. Better to use something smaller and drive it a bit more. (I have tried and compared some of the new Hiwatts and they do not sound like the old ones.)

Just to remind fans Stateside that you may still be able to see an hour from 'Remember That Night' on PBS over the next week. Make a pledge and you not only bag yourself a copy of the DVD, but you also get an exclusive four-track 'Live from Abbey Road' CD thrown in for the hell of it.

This CD is certainly one for the collection. It comes in a cardboard case, is shrink-wrapped, and features the following tracks, recorded live at Abbey Road last year: 'The Blue', 'On An Island', 'Take A Breath' and 'Smile'.

See the calendar for broadcast details.

Thank you all for the comments about Phil Taylor's book, 'The Black Strat'. It's good to hear that you're enjoying it.

Here's the latest batch of Phil's answers to the questions you submitted recently.

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Does David use ear protection? If not, what's his tip for playing loud, not becoming deaf and still having a perfect ear? (Cromer Franck)
- No, he does not use ear protection. Don't play too loud and keep the speakers focused lower, i.e. not pointed at your ears.

Does David only use Evidence audio cables or does he use both? And why did you change over to EA? (Matt Surdin)
- All of David's audio signal and speaker cables are Evidence Audio and I have had them all cryogenically frozen for enhanced performance. During the 'On An Island' tour, all the stage cables for all the musicians were swapped over to these - with great results.

How important would you consider the cables (in terms of quality) in the signal path? (Andreas)
- Very important - the cable is what transfers the sound of your instrument to the amplifier. This can make a big difference to the level, frequency response, depth and detail of information, and extraneous unwanted noise. This also applies in a similar way to the speaker cables.

The winners of the David Gilmour GHS strings are: James Geary and Ernest Peske, who each win a set for a Strat, and Paul B and TomiSue, who each win a set for a Les Paul.

Well done, all four. Let us know where we should send your prizes.

We'd love to hear more of your thoughts on Phil's book, 'The Black Strat', which many of you will have by now received. Phil has been delighted with the feedback and sends you the following note:

"I hope people like the book, now it is finally out there. From what I can tell, it seems generally to have been well-received. I have had some complimentary responses from people, so it's nice to know that all the work - which I seriously underestimated at the outset, or else I probably would not have undertaken it - is appreciated." - Phil Taylor

Remember, you can only get a copy of Phil's book by visiting either TheBlackStrat.com or one of the UK's main branches of Borders. Please do check with Borders before you make a special trip in their direction, as it is not stocked at all Borders stores.

Quick reminder for fans in Latin America: You can see an hour from the 'Remember That Night' concert on HBO tonight, with repeats next week and Christmas week. Click here for all the necessary details (for Brazil, to give you an example, so do check your own country's page).

Be sure to also click the Vídeo tab for some 'interesting' animation.

We leave you for another week with some questions regarding the David Gilmour Signature Strat, which will be launched sometime next year. We've no updates for you concerning its manufacture, unfortunately. As soon as there's news to report, it will be here.

Have a good weekend, everyone.

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The little button on the black Strat, that combines the neck and bridge pickup (so I read some where, is it true?): is it going to be on the David Gilmour Strat? (Graham Knight)
- Yes, it will be on the Fender David Gilmour Strat.

Will the Gilmour Strat become a staple of Fender's, i.e. like the Clapton and S.R.V. models have? (Randall Yeager)
- That is the plan. It is not meant to be a limited edition. David has insisted that it is a really good replica in terms of its sound, set-up, playability and looks - and that it should be affordable. He will not let Fender make a limited edition, to be purchased and put away by a few who can afford it as an investment.

Is the black Strat body made of two pieces of alder? (GianLuca)
- I don't know, it seems to be covered in black paint.

How are the pickups on David's black Strat wired to the pickup selector? (Andrew McHarg)
- See my book, 'The Black Strat', for this information.

As you may know, GHS are putting out some David Gilmour signature strings - Boomers - for the Fender Stratocaster and Gibson Les Paul.

For the very first time, the following string gauges will be available in sets: 0.10, 0.12, 0.16, 0.28, 0.38, 0.48 (Stratocaster) and 0.10.5, 0.13, 0.17, 0.30, 0.40, 0.50 (Les Paul).

They'll be available in all good shops, starting in the States, but eventually worldwide, within the next week or two.

To win a set, just choose any one string gauge.

If you'd like a set of strings for a Strat, choose one from either: 10, 12, 16, 28, 38 or 48.

If you'd like a set of strings for a Les Paul, choose one from either: 10.5, 13, 17, 30, 40 or 50.

Simply match one of the two numbers selected by me, Lotto-style. Everybody with that number will then be entered into one of two prize draws, from which winners will be chosen purely at random.

Please get your number in by 1PM (UK) Thursday (that's this Thursday, 29 November). Winners will be announced on Friday.

As usual, it's strictly one entry per person only - no excuses, no entering on behalf of parents, siblings, friends or pets. And, if you've got a Strat and a Les Paul, we don't care. Just toss a coin and choose one or the other, please.

The best of luck to all.

Here's the latest instalment from Phil Taylor's Q&A.

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What gauge does David use on his electric guitars? (Frank Par)
- Different strings on different electrics. GHS Boomers for Strats/Teles/Gretsches, 10, 12, 16, 28, 38, 48; and for Les Pauls, 10.5, 13, 17, 30, 40, 50. GHS are soon to release these two sets of "David Gilmour" strings.

Which strings do you use on lap steel guitars? (Emilio)
- David currently uses D’Addario EHR360 half rounds on his electric lap steels.

Are the lap steel guitars tuned differently to normal EADGBE, or does David prefer to keep everything the same? (Emma)
- They are different. His favourites are EBGEBE or EBG*EBE or EBGDBG.