Riff Tone

One

Guitarrock1990s

Original Gear

GuitarGibson Les Paul Custom (serial 0318503126, black, used on 'One' studio recording)

Amp1964 Vox AC30 (studio recording, main amp for 'One' era)

PickupsGibson humbuckers (stock on Les Paul Custom, likely 490R/498T or similar for early 90s models)

Amp Settings

gain2.5

bass6

mid7

treble7

reverb2.5

presence5

Effects & Signal Chain

delayKorg Korg SDD-3000 Digital Delay

compressionBoss Compressor pedal (model unknown, likely Boss CS-2 or CS-3)

modulationUnknown Modulation pedal (likely chorus or mild flanger, model unknown)

Notes

Studio recording, Achtung Baby sessions (1991). Guitar confirmed by Equipboard and U2 Guitar Tutorials forum; amp confirmed by multiple rig rundowns and interviews. Clean tone for riff/verse sections. Effects chain includes digital delay and modulation. Pickup choice and tone knob settings inferred from interviews and forum discussions.

Tone Character(10)

warm and smoothchiming, bell-like highslush, ambient delay trailsmellowed top end from rolled-back tonearticulate and clear chord voicingsspacious and atmosphericdynamic, touch-sensitive responsesoft attack, no breakupslightly compressedsubtle modulation in repeats

Difficulty

The riff requires accurate timing to sync with the dotted-eighth delay, clean chord changes, and dynamic control, but does not involve advanced techniques or fast playing.

Sources

The Edge's Guitar Rig, Gear & Pedalboard | Equipboard The Edge's Guitar Rig, Gear & Pedalboard | Equipboard (Les Paul Custom details)Electric Etudes: U2’s The Edge - Premier Guitar Effects for U2s “One” | The Gear Page

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