Riff Tone

Numb

Guitarrock1990s

Original Gear

GuitarFender Stratocaster (likely 1970s or early 1980s, as used by The Edge in the Zooropa era)

AmpVox AC30 (studio recording, 1992-1993 Zooropa sessions)

PickupsFender single-coil pickups

Amp Settings

gain4

bass5.5

mid6.5

treble7

reverb2.5

presence6

Effects & Signal Chain

delayKorg Korg SDD-3000 Digital Delay

chorusBoss Modulation pedal (likely Boss CE-2 Chorus or similar)

compressionBoss Compressor pedal (likely Boss CS-2 or similar)

Notes

Studio recording for 'Numb' (Zooropa, 1993). The Edge is known for using a Stratocaster into a Vox AC30 for this era. No direct evidence of alternate guitars or amps for this riff section. Settings estimated based on genre, era, and typical Edge rig.

Tone Character(10)

tight, percussive attackbright and glassymodulated shimmerpronounced rhythmic delayslightly compressed cleancrisp, staccato pickingclear note separationminimal drivesignature U2 rhythmic delay texturedistinct rhythmic chime

Difficulty

The riff is not technically complex but requires tight timing, clean picking, and careful synchronization with the delay effect to achieve the signature U2 sound.

Sources

U2 Pedals & Effects Recommendations : r/guitarpedals Best delay pedal for U2? | Page 5 | Guitar Forum

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