Riff Tone

I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For

Guitarrock1980s

Original Gear

Guitar1983 Fender Stratocaster (The Edge's main guitar for the riff section on the studio recording)

AmpVox AC30 (Top Boost, vintage model, studio recording)

PickupsFender single-coil (stock Strat pickups, likely all three wired for custom switching)

Amp Settings

gain0

bass5.5

mid7

treble7

reverb3

presence6

Effects & Signal Chain

delayKorg Korg SDD-3000 Digital Delay

delayKorg Korg SDD-3000 Digital Delay (second instance)

compressionUnknown Compressor pedal (model unknown)

Notes

Studio recording, The Joshua Tree sessions (1986-1987). The Edge used his 1983 Fender Stratocaster with custom switching, into a vintage Vox AC30 Top Boost. The exact amp used is confirmed by multiple interviews and session photos. The delay was provided by a Korg SDD-3000 in the studio. No evidence of additional overdrive/distortion pedals for the main riff. Pickup selector is set to position 2 (bridge + middle) for the signature chime. All details are for the original studio recording, not live.

Tone Character(10)

chiming and bell-likebright and articulatecrystal clear arpeggiossignature Vox AC30 sparkledynamic, touch-sensitive responseopen and spaciousmulti-layered rhythmic delay repeatsslight compression for sustainno audible overdrive or crunchdistinct rhythmic delay pattern

Difficulty

The riff is technically straightforward but requires precise timing to synchronize with the delay repeats and clean, consistent picking to achieve the signature chime and clarity.

Sources

A Study of The Edge's Guitar Delay (U2) -- I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For (The Joshua Tree)I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For - Maurizio70 Guitarist Amp Settings for "Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For" ...

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