U2 & Guitar Gear: Q & A

Originally posted by thechicken[..]

That is all I said...you can not say that something is better if by better you mean your preferences.

Originally posted by wtshnnfb01When did Ege get wireless connections for his guitars? I know he was wireless by midway through the JT tour.

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.

Originally posted by anstratdubh1979Anywho... The Chicken and I will have to agree to disagree. Even though I'm right and The Chicken is wrong.

(Just messin' with you.)



As for Bono's chain...

It's interesting that he was using the amount of gear he did when he only played on 2-3 songs per show during Vertigo. For the most part, it was the Elvis Dove for things like "Kite" and the Irish Falcon for "One".

It's also interesting that he had a Line 6 MM4 AND the MM4 Pro (rack version) AND he's both version of the Line 6 Delay Modeler with the DL4 and DL4 Pro (rack version). That said, I wonder which AMP MODELS he was using from the Line 6 AM4.

BOSS AD-5 acoustic instrument processor
BOSS SD-1 Super Overdrive
DUNLOP DCR-2SR Rackmount Crybaby Wah system
LINE 6 Echo pro (rack mount version of Line 6 DL4)
LINE 6 Mod Pro rack mount version of Line 6 MM4)
LINE 6 AM4 amp modeler (the red amp modeling stomp box)
LINE 6 DM4 distortion modeler
LINE 6 MM4 modulation modeler
WHIRLWIND A/B/Y switch with E-D# written on it's side

Controlled by a Skrydstrup controller (same brand of controller that Edge and Adam also use)

Originally posted by WojBhoy[..]
Indeed - if you look at the Chicago DVD, he only plays on RTSS, One and The Fly. What I find even weirder is that considering all the shizzle he's got on the rack, you can a) barely hear his guitar at the best of times! and b) it often sounds fairly non-descript...i.e. bollocks

Originally posted by WojBhoy[..]
Indeed - if you look at the Chicago DVD, he only plays on RTSS, One and The Fly. What I find even weirder is that considering all the shizzle he's got on the rack, you can a) barely hear his guitar at the best of times! and b) it often sounds fairly non-descript...i.e. bollocks

Originally posted by anstratdubh1979[..]

Now now... be nice about Bono's playing.

Ah yes, The Fly... perhaps that might be where the AM4 Amp Modeler is being used.

Yeah, maybe Joe O'Herlihy is under strict orders not to push the fader on Bono's amp mic past 2. (Hahahahah)

Originally posted by germcevoy[..]

I'm not a fan of Bono's guitar playing all that often but listen to hit little piece at the start of Running To Stand Still at the first Point Depot. Possibly the most beautiful piece of guitar work i've ever heard. Gives me chills

Originally posted by WojBhoy[..]
Another show I need to DL

Originally posted by germcevoy[..]

you don't have it? It's only the best sounding bootleg ever matched with perhaps thee best performance ever (and the piece of guitar. . be ready for wobbly knees)

Originally posted by anstratdubh1979I can agree that Bono should have Dallas re-work his rack and work on his guitar tone. Maybe Dallas DID do Bono's rack...