David Gilmour's Gibson J‑200 on 'The Wall': 'Is There Anybody Out There?' and the Neumann U‑87

The Gibson J‑200 shows up on The Wall most famously for the fingerpicked intro to “Is There Anybody Out There?” — that delicate, almost classical guitar part. Gilmour didn’t go direct; he miked the J‑200 with a Neumann U‑87, capturing the natural body resonance rather than a sterile DI signal. The Martin D‑35 he used on Wish You Were Here was also often close‑miked, but the J‑200’s warmer, punchier tone suited the sparse, echoing texture of that song.