U2 & Guitar Gear: Q & A

Originally posted by LikeASong[..]Do they play very very like U2 or they try to improve or modify slightly the songs? For example Kane modified a bit Acrobat and With Or Without You on that cover album of them.

Originally posted by anstratdubh1979[..] (and a few times for The Fly - as seen in U2:3D

Originally posted by WojBhoy[..]
I wouldn't take U2:3D as a solid 100% source considering, like most of their film releases, they've undergone a fair bit of editing - I mean they could have just patched a bit of LAPOE onto The Fly in the hope that people wouldn't make too much of it and just assume it was glare, perhapps?

On another note, are there any Vertigo shows that you'd be certain that he used the glitter/silver Variax?

Re. Explorer goodness we'd discussed previously, I'd love to see Edge play The Fly on the Explorer should they retain the song for the next tour...

Originally posted by anstratdubh1979[..]

Sure there's editing... but when said editing appears that Edge is acually playing the part for The Fly vs. just Edge playing some other part....

So it's more than possible that he was actually using the silver Variax for The Fly.

Keep in mind, Edge does experiment. And also, there was an 'issue' at the beginning of The Fly on the movie. Perhaps that issue at that show was rectified by swapping out the guitar?

Originally posted by WojBhoy[..]
Fair enough, I'm more just being awkward because I've not actually seen it lol, but am aware of U2's C&P department often being involved on the films

Originally posted by RattleandHum1988Hey strat. I'm getting a 70's RI MIM strat pretty soon. I was wondering, do you know what pickups Edge used in his black and white strat during the elevation tour? They could just be stock 70's pickups, but I'm looking for that sound. Any idea?

Originally posted by anstratdubh1979[..]

I'm not 100% sure if the p'ups in his black and white Strats are original or not. There are more than one black and white Stratocaster that The Edge uses.

Edge has had many of the bridge pickups custom wound - Presumably by Dallas or by one of the repair guys at Rudy's in NY - he has some of his guitars worked on there.

See how the stock 1970's reissue sounds to you. It might sound fine. If not, let me know and I've a few suggestions for replacement p'ups.


Cheers! Congrats on your new purchase. Post some pictures once it arrives!

Originally posted by anstratdubh1979[..]

C&P Dept? Creative and Production? Crap and Propaganda?

Originally posted by anstratdubh1979Judging by the t-shirt... that pic of Edge with the Variax is from the Vertigo tour.

I haven't been bored enough to make a list of what t-shirts he wore what night of Vertigo but I DID once get bored enough to make a list for Edge Elevation t-shirts. True story.

Originally posted by anstratdubh1979Like most "tribute" bands, versus merely a cover band (there IS a difference), they play them pretty faithful to the originals. Or at least as per the way U2 play them live. Being a tribute "Edge" is an expensive prospect! And Chas from Joshua Tree & Mick from The Unforgettable Fire are two of the best.

Originally posted by anstratdubh1979And no, I'm not 'disappointed' that you may have thought a picture was from Elevation when it was from Vertigo.

Seems your pictures are far more organized than mine! I need to spend a week sorting them out... maybe a month!

Why can't we just be paid for being U2 fans! And running U2 relatged sites and forums. And attending U2 shows!