The Edge
The Edge of U2 built a guitar style around delay repeats and chiming Stratocaster tones that defined anthemic stadium rock from the early 1980s onward. His minimalist approach — rhythmic picking patterns locked to tempo-synced delays — creates an impression of complex texture from sparse, single-note playing.
Fender Stratocaster or Gibson Explorer into Vox AC30 — chiming, jangling clean tone with tempo-synced dotted eighth-note delay repeats. One note becomes a chiming tapestry. Simple chords become swirling ambience.
Guitars
Fender Stratocaster (White)
Primary Strat — used on "Where the Streets Have No Name" and countless U2 tracks.
Full specs & buy →Gibson Explorer
1984–1990"Unforgettable Fire" and "Joshua Tree" era — angular, aggressive contrast to Strat.
Gretsch 6120
2000–presentAll That You Can't Leave Behind era onwards — warmer, country-influenced tone.
Amplifiers
Vox AC30
Primary amp throughout career — British chime, Class A compression.
Fender Twin Reverb
1987–1990Joshua Tree era — crystal clean, wider headroom.
Effects Pedals
Korg SDD-3000 Digital Delay
Primary delay — the U2 sound. Set to dotted eighth note timing at song BPM. Multiple units used simultaneously for layered texture.
TC Electronic 2290 Dynamic Digital Delay
Secondary delay for different tempo divisions.
Electro-Harmonix Memory Man
1979–1985Early U2 sound — warm analog delay before digital systems.
Dunlop Cry Baby Wah
Occasional use.
Boss OC-2 Octave
Octave down for bass-like effects on certain songs.
Key Albums & Tone
"Sunday Bloody Sunday" — chiming delay-driven Strat, anthemic and minimal.
Brian Eno ambient influence — Edges delay textures at their most atmospheric.
"Where the Streets Have No Name" and "With or Without You" — career-defining delay work.
Industrial influence — more distorted, multi-FX approach.
Frequently Asked Questions
What guitar does The Edge use?
Fender Stratocaster (White) and Gibson Explorer. Primary Strat — used on "Where the Streets Have No Name" and countless U2 tracks.
What amp does The Edge use?
Vox AC30 and Fender Twin Reverb. Primary amp throughout career — British chime, Class A compression.
What pedals does The Edge use?
The Edge uses Korg SDD-3000 Digital Delay, TC Electronic 2290 Dynamic Digital Delay, Electro-Harmonix Memory Man and more.
What is The Edge's signature sound?
Fender Stratocaster or Gibson Explorer into Vox AC30 — chiming, jangling clean tone with tempo-synced dotted eighth-note delay repeats. One note becomes a chiming tapestry. Simple chords become swirling ambience.