U2start.com | U2 & Guitar Gear: Q & A

anstratdubh1979

Originally posted by Diego61:[..]

I'll quote myself: it's a flanger, Electro Harmonix Mistress. Does The Edge uses it too?

Wouldn't be surprised to hear Edge owns an Electric Mistress but I've never seen one used in his live rig.

Although, I think that Bono had one in his Popmart rig.

anstratdubh1979

13 years

Another great amp not talked about much is the Divided by 13 JRT 9/15 head + 1x12F cabinet.

The are actually pretty cool amps. I'm not sure why he's not using it more, unless he just prefers the sound of the vintage amps he's using.

All the reviews I've read have been pretty great.

Link:
Divided By 13 Amplification - Amplifiers

Edge has a black and cream JRT 9/15 head + 1x12F cabinet.
Divided By 13 Amplification - Amplifiers - JRT 9/15

The amps come in multiple finishes, which is nice.

"Attention, budding ax gods: If you can hit the right notes, this compact rock box will make them sound like solid gold. The impeccably finished cabinet looks vintage, but it’s actually a postmodern mashup: Under the retrolicious grille cloth are two sets of power tubes from the classic age of rock — dual 6V6 amps, favored in the United States by the likes of Buddy Holly, and a pair of EL84s, secret weapon of the ’60s British Invasion. Flip a switch to alternate between them. Dual volume controls for each mode let you further color the tone for a jangling rockabilly sound or a fuzzed-out Hendrix snarl. Designed in 2004 by legendary amp auteur Fred Taccone, the JRT 9/15 has won scores of devoted converts — folks such as U2’s the Edge. It may look small (just 21 inches high and 38 pounds), but rest assured: This baby makes some glorious noise."

and

"Two amps in one?

With an overly stout and painstakingly developed power supply made to accommodate two sets of power tubes, the JRT 9/15 offers the biggest sound in a low wattage amplifier heard to date.

Starting from right to left, the single input of the amplifier (high and low sensitivity) feeds the inputs of two 5879 Pentodes, each with its own volume control and blendable. Each is voiced differently: one is brighter with more clean headroom while the other is gainier and thicker in the low mids. Added to this volume is a 6 position switch which offers a "bright cap" selection. The last knob is a high cut for the overall amplifier. The "Mode" toggle provides a selection of either 9+ Watts with 6V6s, or 15+ Watts with EL84s, offering and exceeding the best tones available in some of our favorite late 50's American 6V6 amplifiers, and our favorite EL84/EL34 English amplifiers. Don't be fooled by its size; this one sounds huge!"

There is mention of The Edge on the Divided by 13 site. But I've not know of Edge using it much.

Here is what Edge has (This is a stock photo and not Edge's actual amp) :

I'm looking to find a few more pics if possible. I got two from Divided By 13 but they were horrible quality.

(I think the pics may have been from Vertigo tour)

You can see it behind the piano. Perhaps for some on-stage volume to hear his guitar parts while playing NYD? (Uncertain)

And seen off to the left in this pic below:

Anyone have any better pics?

wtshnnfb01

13 years

Anyone know if its true Edge has a double-necked SG in his collection?

anstratdubh1979

13 years

Originally posted by wtshnnfb01:Anyone know if its true Edge has a double-necked SG in his collection?

Never seen one. Certainly never used live or in any studio pictures.

I remember that Musician magazine once said he had a gold one.

Musician magazine was cool magazine but notorious for getting those sort of details wrong.

Genaro92U2

13 years

Anyone know what kind of guitar Edge is using for the Fly? like specifics? ahaha Im not a guitar master by no means soo a good description would be good

thankssss

anstratdubh1979

13 years

Originally posted by Genaro92U2:Anyone know what kind of guitar Edge is using for the Fly? like specifics? ahaha Im not a guitar master by no means soo a good description would be good thankssss

He's used different guitar for each of the tours that it's been played.

ZOOTV tour: Fender 'Eric Clapton' Stratocaster (w/Gold Lace Sensor pickups)
ELEVATION tour: Gibson Les Paul Custom.
VERTIGO tour: Line 6 Variax 700 acoustic.
360 tour: Fender Stratocaster (It's either the 1974 or 1976)

Looks like he's using the 1976. It's the Strat with the brass saddles. Not 100% but it seems that one is the 1976

wtshnnfb01

13 years

Holy shit!

Looks like either a LP Junior or a Melody Maker Edge has (they look the same to me). Either way I dont recall him ever playing either.

anstratdubh1979

13 years

Originally posted by wtshnnfb01:Holy shit!

[YouTube Video]

Looks like either a LP Junior or a Melody Maker Edge has (they look the same to me). Either way I dont recall him ever playing either.

Used only briefly, the Gibson Sonex is actually a pretty decent guitar. It's a bit Les Paul in appearance and tone. I've played a few... and there are only a few out there... but they are actually nice guitars.

He used it briefly and it wasn't seen since summer 1982. Might have only been used at the Werchter Festival. Seems he got this around the time of the 1975 Les Paul Custom; which he obviously favored of the Sonex.

"Rejoice" (Werchter Festival)

Specs/Details:

Gibson Sonex-180 Deluxe Gibson Sonex-180 Standard Gibson Sonex-180 Custom Gibson Sonex Artist
BODY SPECIFICATIONS The new Gibson exclusive Multi-phonic™ body construction • Single cutaway design • Adjustable chrome plated Tune-0-Matic bridge with chrome plated stop-bar tailpiece • Uniquely shaped double sided fingerrest with white revealed edge • Two high output Humbucking 3-point adjustable exposed pickups that feature one black and one cream coil • 3-position toggle switch for pickup selection (individual or both pickups simultaneously) • Attractive, efficient black speed knobs • Body size: Length 17 1/4" width 13" depth 1 3/4"

NECK SPECIFICATIONS One piece select hardwood construction • Width at fingerboard nut 1 11/16" • Rosewood fingerboard with dot inlays and corresponding side dots • Individually enclosed chrome plated machine heads • Gibson truss rod with distinctive truss rod cover • 22 frets • 24 3/4" scale length

SONEX-180 DELUXE • Ebony finish (and later Candy Apple Red, Silverburst, White, Antique Fireburst

anstratdubh1979

13 years

So the Gibson Sonex is a curiosity at best. It was never a real mainstay in the guitar arsenal. Although, still a fun guitar.

While Edge did the Gibson Sonex for the Werchter Festival on July 4th, 1981, by the end of July 1982, Edge was using the 1975 Les Paul Custom for "Rejoice"

So the use of the Sonex was short-lived. Maybe he was trying it out for a bit but favored the LP Custom more for "Rejoice"?

All in all, the Gibson Sonex are cool guitars. I've played a few. But they are hardly an iconic Edge guitar.

"Rejoice" was in the setlist for a year and then gone forever. It was played around 58-60 times between August 16th 1981 and August 7th, 1982

In that, I know of 4 different guitars that were used.

Black Strat, Explorer, LP Custom and Sonex.

Sonex: May 1982