U2 & Guitar Gear: Q & A

Originally posted by bcgd[..]

I've always played it with my fingers but I've been trying it out using a pick. As others have said it depends on the sound you're going for. Adam mixes it up. Sometimes pick, sometimes finger. It also depends on if you're using a chorus effect or playing it "clean".

Also it depends on how you play it too meaning if you play it all mid-neck or slide up and down playing only the E and A strings like he did on the POPmart tour.

Originally posted by bcgd[..]

I've always played it with my fingers but I've been trying it out using a pick. As others have said it depends on the sound you're going for. Adam mixes it up. Sometimes pick, sometimes finger. It also depends on if you're using a chorus effect or playing it "clean".

Also it depends on how you play it too meaning if you play it all mid-neck or slide up and down playing only the E and A strings like he did on the POPmart tour.

Originally posted by thechickenI practise with pick sometimes, but I cannot play that well with them. And I don't really dig the otne i get with them...I feel like playing guitar, and that is never good for a bassist.

Originally posted by bcgdAbsolutely. When I play songs like "Vertigo" or "NYD" I always use a pick. Adam said once that Bono wanted him to use a pick on "Beautiful Day" but he felt the song didn't lend itself to it.

I don't know what that has to do with me playing those two songs I mentioned but I think you get my point.

Originally posted by Hans23[..]

Same with me, Vertigo and NYD have that "twang" sound that can only be acheived with a pick, and it also looks the part . Beatiful Day has that more mellow, softer sound in the verses. i find that The Fly is also good with a pick.

Originally posted by anstratdubh1979[..]

You can also vary the tone a bit by 'picking nearer the neck, over the pickups or nearer to the bridge (for a bit more definition)

T'is like science.

Originally posted by anstratdubh1979[..]

You can also vary the tone a bit by 'picking nearer the neck, over the pickups or nearer to the bridge (for a bit more definition)

T'is like science.

Originally posted by bcgd[..]Ah, now you're going into my boy John Entwistle's technique. MAN could he play!!!! Check out this clip of him isolated in a live performance of "Won't Get Fooled Again".

[YouTube Video]

or this solo (I use my Boss SD-1 to get a similar distortion sound)

[YouTube Video]

Originally posted by anstratdubh1979[..]

BONO, not Edge, played the melody bit in the beginning of "Staring At The Sun" when it was played (live) acoustically.

Santiago Popmart video:
[YouTube Video]

He also was playing the melody bit, and Edge played the chords, to "Walk On" on the earlier shows on the 'Elevation' tour. Later in the tour they swapped roles and Bono played the chords and Edge played the melody.

Bono is a FAR better guitar player than he's given credit.

Originally posted by AAV711[..]I seem to remember Danny Lanois remarking about some point during "Exit," saying "That's Bono's guitar!!!"

Also, check the acoustic performance of "Sometimes:" I like this little sequence he plays in the begining

[YouTube Video]