Originally posted by anstratdubh1979It seems it isn't the pickup alone that makes The Edge sound like The Edge. Bono has said that he's played Edge's guitar through Edge's rig and sounded shit.
That said, Edge used to play New Years Day on a Strat. Yet for the last 3+ tours it's been played with a Les Paul. It sounds good with both.
The same can be said of Bullet The Blue Sky. "Traditionally" he's used a Stratocaster. During PopMart, he used the 30th Anniversary Gibson Les Paul goldtop. Was the tone different? Some. But he's constantly experimenting and tones chance a bit tour to tour and from the beginning to ending of a tour anyway... So the difference between his using the Strat and the 20th Anniv LP goldtop are about as much as his amp/effects setting from one tour to the next.
Another reason why there is a bit less difference is that Edge has experiemented with non-stock bridge pickups in his Stratocasters in the past. He's also had many custom wound to be a bit 'hotter' and closer to that of a humbucker.
Guitar tone can be subjective, as one person pointed out, to SOME extent. In that, one can get decent tones from various guitars, effects and amps. But tone starts with the player. Tone starts with your hands.
So what do you need for 'good' tone? Start with practicing and getting your technique and feel down. A decent guitar and a decent amp will accentuate the positive aspects of your practice. By that, I don't mean practicing scales or playing fast. Get your timing, vibrato and playing clean down. Sounds 'goofy' but "be one with the guitar". That is the first element.
I remember a survey once... What is The Edge's most important piece of equipment. Some mentioned various guitars, some mentioned his main Vox AC30, some mentioned his racks of effects and one even mentioned Dallas Schoo organizing all of it! Not bad choices. But the two most important pieces of The Edge's gear are:
1) His hand and touch on the instrument.
2) His imagination.
Ooooooooh, I like that ending bit! But yea I totally know what you mean. I probably do spend more time researching gear, and looking at things I want to buy than I do actually practicing my guitar. That sounds bad actually. It's not like I play very little, I probably play at least 5 hours total on most days, or something. I just research gear whenever I'm bored. But I did just recently start playing John Mayer, so that should boost my technique (if I can actually get the songs down, they're HARD)
