Huge Tele Tones Last Night at U2 in NJ

bgood · May 18th, 2005, 11:48 AM

I was at the U2 show in NJ last night and the Edge played a big assortment of guitars including 2 different Tele's. As best I can tell here is the list:

Gibson ES335
Tele - white/cream colored - plain pick guard
Gibson LP Standard - cream
Gibson Explorer
Strat - Black
Strat - forget the color but it was different
Tele 2 - light colored with a pearloid pick guard
Gibson Acoustic

Bono played what looked like a Gretsch

The most meaty tone of the night came from Tele #1. It was thick and punchy - very overdriven. Everything sounded good and his signature Strat sound was right on.

GREAT SHOW.

Strat82 · May 18th, 2005, 11:55 AM

i saw them here in arizona about a month ago...his teles did sound pretty amazing...he used the white/cream colored one for 'sunday, bloody sunday' and it was great.

i think he uses a les paul custom, not a standard, but i'm not 100% positive

Essex Boy · May 18th, 2005, 12:28 PM

Interesting that you say the tele got a more meaty tone than the LP. I've never heard a tele sound thicker than a LP before.

Strat82 · May 18th, 2005, 12:39 PM

i'm not sure what he meant exactly by 'meaty'...if he means that it was more powerful or something than that of a les paul, but i personally thought that the edge's guitar tones were best with the teles. plus, i think u2 have a keyboard player and a second guitar player playing under the stage with them. you can see this in their live dvd from boston.

also, keep in mind that his guitar rig is just a tad more complicated than what you or i might have. the edge has tons of amps, a huge pedalboard, the use of professional sound men and a PA system loud enough to cause temporary deafness...i think anything can sound 'meaty'

Essex Boy · May 18th, 2005, 12:48 PM

Lol, true.

Didn't know they have another guitarist under the stage. Bit of a cop out IMO. Don't create it in the studio if you cant pull it off live just the 4 of you.

GuitarJonz · May 18th, 2005, 01:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pouch

plus, i think u2 have a keyboard player and a second guitar player playing under the stage with them. you can see this in their live dvd from boston.

Thats pretty cheesy. Geez, let the poor guys up the stage, would ya??

bgood · May 18th, 2005, 02:50 PM

I have never heard a single coil Tele sound thicker than an LP either - that's why it caught my attention. He has so much processing going on who the heck knows what is going on with that signal.

and yes there is no doubt in my mind there were unseen instruments or backing tracks during the show. I was close enough to see that during one part Edge was playing barre chords and there was a completely different guitar part playing along with him. Now I know he is a master of the delay and all that but.......

At other points I thought I heard keys in the mix.

I don't think it's a big deal whether they are on or off stage. All about what they want for the presentation.

JMH65 · May 18th, 2005, 03:07 PM

Hmmmmm......I wonder what else they have under the stage. Squirrels on treadmills to power the amps? Bruce Springsteen adding a little harmonica flavoring? Jimmy Hoffa's body?

maestrovert · May 18th, 2005, 03:29 PM

Tom Scholz & Co. had a HUUUUGE problem on their 1st tour in support of the "Boston" debut album......at first they couldn't pull it off onstage and have it sound anything like their recorded tones.....

i always loved Loggins & Messina in a concert setting for just that....THEY not only could pull it off, they DID.....
not to slag U2 because i LOVE the Edge's tones and approach to his instrument and craft.....but c'mon....don't hide your backing players under the stage....whassamatta U ? ain't dey good enuff feryas ?

Strat82 · May 18th, 2005, 04:26 PM

i would never want to see those extra players on the stage. u2 is pretty much a brand name, and people want to see the original 4. i'm sure they would get paid the same either way

Seanycaster · May 19th, 2005, 11:36 AM

I've watched that live from boston DVD as well as the Slane Castle DVD a bunch of times and don't remember ever seeing session men playing. What tracks do you get to see them? As for the second strat it could be the tobacco burst one he uses on the Slane Castle DVD during Pride (?) :?

Strat82 · May 19th, 2005, 03:35 PM

ok, in the dvd from boston, they show bono and the guys walking towards the stage at the very beginning and you'll see the keyboard and guitar player...maybe you have to view it from the 1st person point of view, but i'm not sure

Tony_A_Rogers · May 20th, 2005, 09:44 AM

I 've only seen that DVD once but I'm guessing it might have been Dallas, Edge's guitar tech? I do know they've been sequencing keyboard parts since way back on the Unforgettable Fire tour in '84 so digital "second" guitar etc. isn't beyond the realms of believability.

(Dallas may well play backup guitar but I doubt it - he'd probably be too busy!!)

kp8 · May 22nd, 2005, 11:11 PM

they use a very elaborate set up running Max/MSP on a couple of Macs which also controls video and lights (likely) via midi and i would bet, also trigging sound as well.

cheers,

kp

ravelle · May 23rd, 2005, 10:40 AM

ahh the edge..one of the main reasons why i am getting a tele soon. His white tele used on sunday bloody sunday have got a sticker on it right?

he uses gibson LP custom.

Mik · May 23rd, 2005, 11:11 AM

Edge amps?

In Jan '05 on SNL, Edge played a Vox AC30 (or 2) and a couple of tweeds, NP Deluxes I think. My kinda backline.

But if he's gonna hide a 2nd guitarist, he may as well throw that skyscrapin' rack under the stage with the "help".

Mik

Colo Springs E · May 23rd, 2005, 11:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pouch

i would never want to see those extra players on the stage. u2 is pretty much a brand name, and people want to see the original 4. i'm sure they would get paid the same either way

....to put them "under tha stage" is misleading in my opinion. If you need the xtra players--and I'm okay with that--at least let them play on stage with you. They probably shouldn't be "show-boating," but I think they should be on the stage.

-Eric

Aen · May 24th, 2005, 12:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Essex Boy

Don't create it in the studio if you cant pull it off live just the 4 of you.

WOAH! I can't believe I just read that! I can't even begin my argument against you! It's just too baffling!

On another note, I didn't know they used Max/MSP. Congratulations to anyone who can figure that muckety muck out. It has to be the most difficult music program in the history of difficult music programs.

Lyle Caldwell · May 24th, 2005, 02:37 AM

They don't have a second guitarist. They may have a guy adding keys, but 90% of the keys are either sequenced to the drum click, played live by Edge, or are actually his guitar.

Dallas is constantly tuning guitars and getting them ready for stage use, so you probably saw him on the side of the stage with a guitar strapped on, but Edge plays all the guitar live.

You'd be surprised how many "overdubs" Edge pulls off live.

Nick Fanis · May 24th, 2005, 03:20 AM

no 2nd guitar player & no keyboard player either,it just the Edge (& a lot of sequencing)

ravelle · May 24th, 2005, 03:28 AM

There IS a keyboard player....for beautiful day and elevation.

May 18th, 2005, 11:48 AM	#1 (permalink)
bgood Tele-Meister Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Emerson, NJ Posts: 175	Huge Tele Tones Last Night at U2 in NJ I was at the U2 show in NJ last night and the Edge played a big assortment of guitars including 2 different Tele's. As best I can tell here is the list: Gibson ES335 Tele - white/cream colored - plain pick guard Gibson LP Standard - cream Gibson Explorer Strat - Black Strat - forget the color but it was different Tele 2 - light colored with a pearloid pick guard Gibson Acoustic Bono played what looked like a Gretsch The most meaty tone of the night came from Tele #1. It was thick and punchy - very overdriven. Everything sounded good and his signature Strat sound was right on. GREAT SHOW. __________________ Bob

May 18th, 2005, 02:50 PM	#7 (permalink)
bgood Tele-Meister Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Emerson, NJ Posts: 175	What I meant by meaty was thick (opposite of twangy) I have never heard a single coil Tele sound thicker than an LP either - that's why it caught my attention. He has so much processing going on who the heck knows what is going on with that signal. and yes there is no doubt in my mind there were unseen instruments or backing tracks during the show. I was close enough to see that during one part Edge was playing barre chords and there was a completely different guitar part playing along with him. Now I know he is a master of the delay and all that but....... At other points I thought I heard keys in the mix. I don't think it's a big deal whether they are on or off stage. All about what they want for the presentation. __________________ Bob

May 18th, 2005, 03:07 PM	#8 (permalink)
JMH65 Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Denison TX Posts: 163	Hmmmmm......I wonder what else they have under the stage. Squirrels on treadmills to power the amps? Bruce Springsteen adding a little harmonica flavoring? Jimmy Hoffa's body? __________________ "I probably ought to quit my drinking but I don't believe I will"~James McMurtry

May 18th, 2005, 03:29 PM	#9 (permalink)
maestrovert Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: West Branch Mi. Posts: 6,553	Boston & pulling it off live Tom Scholz & Co. had a HUUUUGE problem on their 1st tour in support of the "Boston" debut album......at first they couldn't pull it off onstage and have it sound anything like their recorded tones..... i always loved Loggins & Messina in a concert setting for just that....THEY not only could pull it off, they DID..... not to slag U2 because i LOVE the Edge's tones and approach to his instrument and craft.....but c'mon....don't hide your backing players under the stage....whassamatta U ? ain't dey good enuff feryas ? __________________ Sing the Song Bro' Play on Drummer www.godonthe.net

May 18th, 2005, 04:26 PM	#10 (permalink)
Strat82 Tele-Meister Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: In the Southwest Age: 26 Posts: 374	KEEP THEM UNDER!!! i would never want to see those extra players on the stage. u2 is pretty much a brand name, and people want to see the original 4. i'm sure they would get paid the same either way

May 18th, 2005, 11:55 AM	#2 (permalink)
Strat82 Tele-Meister Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: In the Southwest Age: 26 Posts: 374	i saw them here in arizona about a month ago...his teles did sound pretty amazing...he used the white/cream colored one for 'sunday, bloody sunday' and it was great. i think he uses a les paul custom, not a standard, but i'm not 100% positive

May 18th, 2005, 12:28 PM	#3 (permalink)
Essex Boy Tele-Holic Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: London, England Posts: 679	Interesting that you say the tele got a more meaty tone than the LP. I've never heard a tele sound thicker than a LP before.

May 18th, 2005, 12:39 PM	#4 (permalink)
Strat82 Tele-Meister Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: In the Southwest Age: 26 Posts: 374	i'm not sure what he meant exactly by 'meaty'...if he means that it was more powerful or something than that of a les paul, but i personally thought that the edge's guitar tones were best with the teles. plus, i think u2 have a keyboard player and a second guitar player playing under the stage with them. you can see this in their live dvd from boston. also, keep in mind that his guitar rig is just a tad more complicated than what you or i might have. the edge has tons of amps, a huge pedalboard, the use of professional sound men and a PA system loud enough to cause temporary deafness...i think anything can sound 'meaty'

May 18th, 2005, 12:48 PM	#5 (permalink)
Essex Boy Tele-Holic Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: London, England Posts: 679	Lol, true. Didn't know they have another guitarist under the stage. Bit of a cop out IMO. Don't create it in the studio if you cant pull it off live just the 4 of you.

May 19th, 2005, 11:36 AM	#11 (permalink)
Seanycaster Tele-Holic Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Glasgow, Scotland Posts: 882	I've watched that live from boston DVD as well as the Slane Castle DVD a bunch of times and don't remember ever seeing session men playing. What tracks do you get to see them? As for the second strat it could be the tobacco burst one he uses on the Slane Castle DVD during Pride (?) :? __________________ (\__/) ( >.<) (")__(")

May 19th, 2005, 03:35 PM	#12 (permalink)
Strat82 Tele-Meister Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: In the Southwest Age: 26 Posts: 374	ok, in the dvd from boston, they show bono and the guys walking towards the stage at the very beginning and you'll see the keyboard and guitar player...maybe you have to view it from the 1st person point of view, but i'm not sure

May 20th, 2005, 09:44 AM	#13 (permalink)
Tony_A_Rogers NEW MEMBER! Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Poole, Dorset, UK Posts: 2	I 've only seen that DVD once but I'm guessing it might have been Dallas, Edge's guitar tech? I do know they've been sequencing keyboard parts since way back on the Unforgettable Fire tour in '84 so digital "second" guitar etc. isn't beyond the realms of believability. (Dallas may well play backup guitar but I doubt it - he'd probably be too busy!!)

May 22nd, 2005, 11:11 PM	#14 (permalink)
kp8 Friend of Leo's Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Charlottesville, VA Posts: 2,817	they use a very elaborate set up running Max/MSP on a couple of Macs which also controls video and lights (likely) via midi and i would bet, also trigging sound as well. cheers, kp

May 23rd, 2005, 10:40 AM	#15 (permalink)
ravelle Tele-Meister Join Date: May 2005 Location: asia Age: 19 Posts: 469	ahh the edge..one of the main reasons why i am getting a tele soon. His white tele used on sunday bloody sunday have got a sticker on it right? he uses gibson LP custom.

May 23rd, 2005, 11:11 AM	#16 (permalink)
Mik Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 1,416	Edge amps? In Jan '05 on SNL, Edge played a Vox AC30 (or 2) and a couple of tweeds, NP Deluxes I think. My kinda backline. But if he's gonna hide a 2nd guitarist, he may as well throw that skyscrapin' rack under the stage with the "help". Mik __________________ a "motor-bike with a touch of blood in it is better than all the riding animals on earth, because of its logical extension of our faculties, and the hint, the provocations, to excess."-T.E. Lawrence

May 24th, 2005, 02:37 AM	#19 (permalink)
Lyle Caldwell Tele-Holic Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 535	They don't have a second guitarist. They may have a guy adding keys, but 90% of the keys are either sequenced to the drum click, played live by Edge, or are actually his guitar. Dallas is constantly tuning guitars and getting them ready for stage use, so you probably saw him on the side of the stage with a guitar strapped on, but Edge plays all the guitar live. You'd be surprised how many "overdubs" Edge pulls off live. __________________ "Everybody sings about Memphis, but nobody ever does anything about it."

May 24th, 2005, 03:20 AM	#20 (permalink)
Nick Fanis Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Athens-GREECE Posts: 1,793 14 Photos	no 2nd guitar player & no keyboard player either,it just the Edge (& a lot of sequencing) __________________ "Hit him again Jack,he is crazy!" Hunter S.Thompson www.myspace.com/nickfanis

May 24th, 2005, 03:28 AM	#21 (permalink)
ravelle Tele-Meister Join Date: May 2005 Location: asia Age: 19 Posts: 469	There IS a keyboard player....for beautiful day and elevation.