Solo Tone
Bad
U2
Guitarrock1980s
Original Gear
Guitar1983 Fender Stratocaster (likely stock or with DiMarzio FS-1 bridge pickup, as used by The Edge in the mid-1980s)
AmpVox AC30 (Top Boost, silver panel, 1970s-early 1980s, as used by The Edge for The Unforgettable Fire era studio recordings)
PickupsSingle-coil (stock Fender or DiMarzio FS-1 in bridge)
Amp Settings
gain3.5
bass6
mid7
treble7.5
reverb3.5
presence6
Effects & Signal Chain
delayKorg Korg SDD-3000 Digital Delay
Notes
Studio recording, 1984 (The Unforgettable Fire album). The Edge is widely documented to have used his 1983 Fender Stratocaster and Vox AC30 for this era. No evidence of live Sphere/UAFX digital rig for this recording. Delay is a critical part of the solo sound.
Tone Character(10)
bright and chimeycrystal-clear note separationambient and spaciousdynamic and percussive attackslightly overdriven edgesinging sustain on single notesdistinct rhythmic delay repeatsarticulate high-end shimmeropen, airy soundstageno heavy distortion or fuzz
Difficulty
The solo requires accurate timing to sync with the delay repeats, dynamic picking for note separation, and control to maintain clarity with ambient effects. No advanced shredding or complex techniques, but intermediate skill is needed for the signature sound.
Sources
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Create Free AccountGuitarrock1980s
Original Gear
Guitar1983 Fender Stratocaster (likely stock or with DiMarzio FS-1 bridge pickup, as used by The Edge in the mid-1980s)
AmpVox AC30 (Top Boost, silver panel, 1970s-early 1980s, as used by The Edge for The Unforgettable Fire era studio recordings)
PickupsSingle-coil (stock Fender or DiMarzio FS-1 in bridge)
Amp Settings
gain3.5
bass6
mid7
treble7.5
reverb3.5
presence6
Effects & Signal Chain
delayKorg Korg SDD-3000 Digital Delay
Notes
Studio recording, 1984 (The Unforgettable Fire album). The Edge is widely documented to have used his 1983 Fender Stratocaster and Vox AC30 for this era. No evidence of live Sphere/UAFX digital rig for this recording. Delay is a critical part of the solo sound.
Tone Character(10)
bright and chimeycrystal-clear note separationambient and spaciousdynamic and percussive attackslightly overdriven edgesinging sustain on single notesdistinct rhythmic delay repeatsarticulate high-end shimmeropen, airy soundstageno heavy distortion or fuzz
Difficulty
The solo requires accurate timing to sync with the delay repeats, dynamic picking for note separation, and control to maintain clarity with ambient effects. No advanced shredding or complex techniques, but intermediate skill is needed for the signature sound.
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