What guitar does The Edge use on Beautiful Day?

The Edge primarily uses Fender Stratocasters on "Beautiful Day," which provide the bright, single-coil pickup sound that's central to his tone. His main Stratocasters include both vintage and reissue models with traditional three single-coil pickup configurations.

How to get The Edge's delay sound on Beautiful Day?

The Edge uses digital delay units like the TC Electronic 2290 and Korg SDD-3000 set to specific timing intervals, typically around 340ms with moderate feedback. The key is using the delay rhythmically as part of the musical arrangement rather than just as an effect.

What amp did U2 use on Beautiful Day?

The Edge used Vox AC30 amplifiers on "Beautiful Day," which provide the characteristic chime and sparkle when pushed into slight overdrive. The AC30's EL84 tubes and Top Boost circuit are essential for achieving that bright, cutting tone.

What effects pedals does The Edge use?

On "Beautiful Day," The Edge primarily relies on digital delay units and subtle chorus effects rather than traditional pedals. His main effects come from rack-mounted units like the TC Electronic 2290 for delay and various modulation effects for width and shimmer.

How do you mic a Vox AC30 for The Edge tone?

A Shure SM57 dynamic microphone positioned close to the speaker cone is the standard approach used on U2 recordings. The exact placement affects the balance between the amp's brightness and warmth, with slight off-axis positioning often preferred to tame harsh frequencies.

lead guitar from "beautiful day" by u2

beautiful day

lead guitar

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Tone Profile

Bright, shimmering, and subtly overdriven tone with a distinct chorus effect, characteristic of The Edge's signature sound. It evokes a sense of soaring energy and optimism.

Shop This Rig

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Fender Stratocaster(instrument)
Vox AC30(amp)
Shure SM57(microphone)
TC Electronic 2290(processing)
Korg SDD-3000(processing)

The Story

The Edge's lead guitar tone on "Beautiful Day" features his signature Fender Stratocaster through a Vox AC30 amplifier, recorded with a Shure SM57 microphone at HQ Studio in Dublin. The characteristic shimmer comes from his use of delay units like the TC Electronic 2290 and Korg SDD-3000, combined with subtle chorus effects and the AC30's natural chime when pushed slightly into overdrive.

Production Credits

Producer: Daniel Lanois, Brian Eno

Engineer: Richard Rainey

Recorded at: HQ, Hanover Quay, Dublin

Signal Chain

Instrument: Fender StratocasterShop on Reverb

Amp: Vox AC30Shop on Reverb

Microphone: Shure SM57Shop on Reverb

Processing: TC Electronic 2290Shop on Reverb, Korg SDD-3000Shop on Reverb

Recreation Tips

Start with a clean Fender Stratocaster into a Vox AC30 amp.
Add a subtle overdrive to the amp or with a pedal to get a slightly crunchy tone.
Use a chorus pedal to add width and shimmer.
Experiment with digital delay. Set the delay time to around 340ms with moderate feedback to create a rhythmic echo.
Adjust the EQ on the amp and pedals to brighten the tone and enhance the high frequencies.

Original Gear

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Fender StratocasterShop on Reverb(guitar)
Vox AC30Shop on Reverb(amp)
Shure SM57Shop on Reverb(mic)
TC Electronic 2290Shop on Reverb(pedal)
Korg SDD-3000Shop on Reverb(pedal)

Substitutions & Recommendations

Vox AC15C1Shop on Reverb$700-$900

Alternative to: Vox AC30

Delivers the same classic Vox chime and EL84 tube breakup as the AC30 but at lower volume, perfect for capturing that bright, chimey character

Strymon TimelineShop on Reverb$400-$500

Alternative to: TC Electronic 2290

Provides high-quality digital delay with precise timing control and multiple algorithms that can recreate the rhythmic delay patterns essential to The Edge's sound

Boss DD-8 Digital DelayShop on Reverb$150-$180

Alternative to: Korg SDD-3000

Budget-friendly option that offers clean digital delay with tap tempo, allowing you to dial in the specific delay times needed for U2's rhythmic patterns

Universal Audio The Edge Delay PluginPlugin Boutique$150-$300

Alternative to: TC Electronic 2290 and Korg SDD-3000

Officially licensed plugin that models The Edge's actual delay units and settings, providing authentic recreations of his specific tones from various U2 songs

Squier Classic Vibe '60s StratocasterShop on Reverb$400-$500

Alternative to: Fender Stratocaster

Offers authentic Stratocaster single-coil pickup sound and construction at a budget-friendly price, delivering the bright, articulate tone needed for The Edge's style

Sources

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lead guitar from “beautiful day” by u2 | ToneDB