Potent Pairings: How To Sound Like U2 Using Guitar Pedals

Photo by Vince Bucci / Stringer / Getty Images

Disclaimer: Our Potent Pairing series aims to get you in the ballpark of the sounds on your favorite recordings using pedals we had laying around at the time. The pedals featured are not the exact pieces of gear used on the recordings.

Over the past four decades, Dublin’s U2 has grown into one of the biggest bands in the world. Their popular brand of anthemic rock mixed with their social and political activism has made them an international sensation. Today, they’re one of the best–selling bands of all time.

Fans have flocked in droves to sold out arenas around the world for a chance to hear U2 perform, and the Edge’s particular delayed guitar tone has filled and reverberated throughout those stadiums. For our latest installment of Potent Pedal Pairings, we decided to put forth our best estimation as to how you can achieve the Edge's signature tone.

Using a Fender Stratocaster and the Edge's own guitar of choice, a Gibson Explorer, we matched a variety of pedals for each tune featured. Be sure to click on any of the pedal graphics below to be taken to more information about the pedal and live listings you can buy directly on Reverb.

"I Will Follow"

Boss SD-1 Boss CS-3 Electro-Harmonix Deluxe Memory Man Image Map

"Pride (In the Name of Love)"

Boss SD-1 EHX Deluxe Memory Man EHX Canyon Delay Boss SD-1 EHX Deluxe Memory Man MXR Carbon Copy Image Map

"Twilight"

Boss SD-1 MXR Carbon Copy MXR Reverb EHX Deluxe Memory Man Image Map

"I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For"

Boss CS-3 MXR Carbon Copy EHX Deluxe Memory Man Image Map

"Rejoice"

EHX Deluxe Memory Man Boss SD-1 MXR Carbon Copy Image Map

"Where the Streets Have No Name"

EHX Canyon Delay MXR Carbon Copy Image Map

"Even Better Than the Real Thing"

Boss SD-1 Digitech Whammy MXR Carbon Copy Image Map

"Beautiful Day"

Boss SD-1 EHX Deluxe Memory Man Boss SD-1 Image Map
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