U2 & Guitar Gear: Q & A

Originally posted by vanquish:Also, I was trying to adjust the intonation on my guitar (via the tune-o-matic bridge). It takes ages even with an electronic tuner.

One issue i've noticed when tuning the strings )with the guitar on my lap) is that if you lean the guitar body forwards or backwards while tuning, it changes the pitch of the strings.

So you can get a string in perfect tune while the guitar is slighlty leaning back on your chest but if you tilt it forward until it is then perpendicular to the floor it changes pitch, making it very hard to tune.

What do you experienced players do? Should I lie the guitar down flat (or put it in my hardcase) and then tune it?

Originally posted by WojBhoy:[..]
Generally when I tune the guitar, I just tune it by ear as I play whether standing or sitting and resting the guitar on my knee, because then you're able to take into account your own finger pressure too i.e. playing chords to make sure everything works nicely. That's just me though, and no doubt someone a bit more clued up on technicalities might say I'm doing it wrong etc. but hey, it works for me, and that's kinda the most important thing, since you're the one playing it and no one else

Originally posted by vanquish:[..]

Thanks, but yea i'll need a little more technical advice, as i'm trying to get correct intonation.
And the intonation procedure requires constant retuning of the strings with each adjustment to the saddles. Which makes using the right tuning technique important.

Originally posted by RattleandHum1988:[..]

If the intonation is off, I'd suggest taking it into a guitar tech. he'd be able to do it for you fast, you WOULD have to pay though, but at least you know it's getting done right. you could even just get a general set up of your guitar at the same time, which always, ALWAYS improves the playing and sound. I've been playing for three years, and I still take it into a guitar tech near me, and I'm always happy with the results. Then again, if you want to learn all that now, it would be good, that way you can do it all the time in the future without paying at all.

Originally posted by LikeASong:[..]It has to be Em. I have never ever tried Numb, but if there are G and C, it has to be Em

In fact Edge probably uses power chords, just hitting the 3 first strings, so it would be G5, C5 and E5 (being G and C major chords, and E a minor).


EDIT: OK, that happens when you post your reply without reading the whole topic to the end. Jeff, sorry, the merit on the X5 chords is yours

Originally posted by anstratdubh1979:[image]

"These are a few of my favorite things..." ... t'is 5 of the 11 'ladies'.

Left to Right
2002 Rickenbacker 330 (6-string) burgundy glo finish (fairly rare finish)
2006 Epiphone Music Rising Les Paul
1998 Fender 'Eric Clapton' model Stratocaster (needs the Rene' Castro paintjob, eh?)
2004 Fender Telecaster Custom (similar to the one Edge used in the "Vertigo" video, only mine is black instead of walnut finish)
1976 Ltd. Edition Gibson Explorer (Same make, model and vintage as our guitar hero)

Originally posted by thechicken:I agree with you on the scale thing...C and D suggest G/Em as a key. Let's just not forget that music is not science. It could be an E Major chord, as in many other songs with C, D and E, all major.
Just to add a little theory discussion in here.

Originally posted by vanquish:[..]

It'll cost me like a 100 bucks to do, so I'd rather spend some time and do it myself now and maybe in a years time get it professionally set up (and get it restrung too).

Also just confirming on a correctly intoned guitar, every note on the fretboard should be at the correct pitch right? Currently my high e string does that but not the others

Originally posted by LikeASong:[..]I have NO idea of musical theory, don't misunderstand me. And of course I know a lot of songs with C, D and E all major, even G D C E I was just guessing while mentally listening to the song, and if you do that you realize that the E must be minor, it changes to a sad sound, correspondant to a minor chord...

[MAJOR CHORDS] Dont move dont talk out of time dont think dont worry everything's just fine [MINOR CHORD] just fine... , even the intonation of the verse changes to a sad note, a minor chord. I think

Originally posted by thechicken:Oh I see...Good thing that you can really listen and know when a chord is minor or major, it is really important to have a good ear for these things.
Anyway, you should learn some theory, it can only help you in the long run.

Originally posted by AAV711:[..]

Very nice!! What kinds of amps and FX do you use?