Since the early 80’s with the first U.S. hit single “I Will Follow”, The Edge (David Howell Evans) has been a strong influence in modern electric guitar. Not a shredder and not a soloist, The Edge has inspired many modern bands and guitarists with his sparse technique and shimmering tone. In this edition of Andy’s Corner we’re going to look at his influential playing style as well as his tone and how he gets it.
A little background…
David Howell Evans was born in Essex, England in 1961. He studied both piano and guitar before answering an ad seeking musicians for a band. Accepted into the band with his brother, this was to be the making of the legendary U2. Beginning with a very post-punk sound, U2 slowly began to incorporate many different influences to ultimately end up with their own melodic sound that is recognized by millions worldwide. The combination of the textural guitars and expressive vocals launched U2 into the top international acts by the mid 80’s and they have done nothing but grow from there.
U2’s unique sound has a lot to do with Edge’s low key playing style. His textured tones using delay helps fill the void and it’s this playing style that is still sought after by today’s guitarists. Though he’s never been what many call a “guitar virtuoso”, Edge’s influence can be heard on countless rock and indie records and in the sounds of bands such as Radiohead, Muse, and Coldplay. Edge has relied on the mood of the song to craft his guitar lines with notes or chords that compliment the song instead of overpowering it. The signature delay tone is ever-present allowing him to rely less on multiple notes and tricks and more on feel and groove. As he states in a recent interview in The Telegraph “I’m one of those guitar players who’s really integrated into his band. I’m not like Jimmy (Page) or Jack (White), who can play solo guitar that would stand up on its own.”
A little on tone…
Edge is known for his shimmering clean sound and this is due in part by his use of Vox AC30’s. Another component in his unique “chime” is the pick. The Edge uses Herdim picks which have a dimpled side for extra grip. He uses the side of the pick to get a more grating attack on the strings which in turn produces more “chime”. Another great aspect to his playing is Edge’s use of drone notes on the A and D strings. This is a popular technique in traditional Irish music that he carries into the unique sound of U2. Another technique he utilized was the use of background vocals behind the guitar solos. This tends to add color to his solos similar to the delay pedal. The vocals are turned way down and often times with be discordant with what is playing. This technique can be heard in “Bullet the Blue Sky”, “In God’s Country”, and “Until the End of the World”. These techniques show that while being a guitarist, that doesn’t discount Edge’s vision of the music or his dedication to putting forth what the song needs to be great without having to take the spotlight or throw notes like daggers at the listener.
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| Older days |
The Gear…
No words can be written on the Edge’s tone and technique without the mention of the delay pedal. The Edge uses many effects but the delay is the most predominant and he has influenced an entire generation and more with the use of this effect. When asked about his delay pedal skills, he replied, “…I was drawn not only to the textural qualities of the echo but also the rhythmic possibilities that it suggested.” (GW – 11/10/08) Utilizing two delay units he runs them in parallel set at different delay times and both into separate amps. Both delay signals are slightly modulated to give a more spacious effect. The Edge is also a big fan of the Deluxe Memory Man. These units along with Korg Sdd-3000’s and TC 2290’s have been used to create his signature tone.
The basis for Edge’s tone is his 1964 Vox AC30TB sporting a 1970’s cab and a 60’s Jensen Blue Alnico 12 and a silver Jensen Alnico 12. Armed with an arsenal of guitars, including a re-creation by Gibson of the ’75 Les Paul he auctioned off for MusicRising, the Edge also has several 1976 Gibson Explorers, the black 1973 Strat used to record “Where the Streets Have no Name”, a ’64 Epiphone Casino, and a Fernades Sustainer. This is just a short list but it gets the point across. The Edge utilizes a lot of effects in his tone. As he states, “The biggest difference between me and other guitar players is that I don’t use effects to color my guitar parts. I create guitar parts using effects. They’re a crucial element of what I do. And I don’t consider effects a crutch. Using them doesn’t constitute “cheating,” as some people have said. They’re part of the art.” That being said, let’s have a look at The Edge’s touring setup courtesy of a 2009 interview with his guitar tech Dallas by MusicRadar.com. This is a direct excerpt from that article:
The Edge’s under-stage effects rack:
1. Furman Pro Rack Power (110V)
2. KORG SDD Digital Delay (VOX) (240V)
3. Korg SDD 3000 Digital Delay (240V)
4. Line 6 DM4 Pro(A) Custom made rack device
5. Line 6 DM4 Pro (B) Custom made rack device
6. TC 2290 Digital Delay (“A”) (240V )
7. TC 2290 Digital Delay “(B”) (240V)
8. Line 6 Pod Pro(110V) (A)
9. Line 6 Pod Pro (110V) (B)
10. Korg A3 Multi Effects (240V)
11. TC 2290 Digital Delay (C)
12. TC 2290 Digital Delay (D)
9b. KORG A3 Rack Multi Effects Unit (110V) (B)
13. Furman Pro Rack Power #2
14. Eventide H3000 Harmonizer
15. Lexicon PCM80 Digital Effects Processor
16. Lexicon PCM70 Digital Effects Pro
17. Custom Audio Elec AMS Interface
18. AMS SDMX Digital Delay (A)
19. AMS SDMX Digit Delay (B)
20. Custom Audio Elec Remote Wah
21. Custom Audio Elec Dual Stereo Mixer
22. Rocktron Bradshaw DVC Pedal VCA
23. Custom Audio Amp Selector
24.Custom Audio Patch Point (110V)
25. Skrydstrup MR9 Loop System (A)
26. Skrydstrup MR9 Loop System (B)
27. Skrydstrup MR9 Loop System (C)
28. Skyrdstrup System Interface
29. Electrix “Filter Factory”
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| Edge with His Gear on Stage |
The Edge’s outboard effects pedals:
30. Durham Electronics “SexDrive” Dist pedal
31. BOSS CS-3 Compressor Sustain pedal
32. DIGITECH “Synth Wah” Pedal
33. Death By Audio “HARMONIC TRANSFORMER” Dist Pedal
34. Death By Audio “FUZZ GUN”
35. Electro Harmonix ” POG” pedal
36. Line6 DM4 Distortion pedal
37. Death By Audio “Soundwave Breakdown”
38. Boss Noise Suppressor NS-2
39. Boss EQ GE-7 pedal
40. Skrydstrup “Bufferooster” pedal
41. Boss FET FA-1 Amplifier
42. Drive Breaker Distortion pedal
The Edge’s main onstage pedalboard:
Skrydstrup SC1 + SC1 Extensions + Extension Plus Controller + Dunlop Crybaby Rack Wah Controller, Digitech WH1 Whammy Pedal, Peterson V-SAM Tuner
As you can see, The Edge is an effects freak just like the rest of us! As of the writing of the interview this list was quoted from, he had just recently discovered and integrated Death by Audio pedals into his rig and had also just given up on wireless units in favor of cables for the simple reason that he was more pleased with the sound of pure signal running through his cables as opposed to the wireless.
Throughout the years, The Edge has been sonically sculpting his way into the minds and hearts of guitarists around the world. From “Where the Streets Have no Name” to “Breathe” he has captured the ears of music fans with his sparse technique and effects laden soundscapes. No matter how much time or how many albums pass, The Edge has become a legend and a guitar hero and he’s still going strong.
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