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U2, Photo: bridonohue

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Independent research by truerecs. Not affiliated with, endorsed or verified by U2. Every item links to its public source.
64 items · Last checked

What guitar does U2 play?

The Edge has been seen using a 1976 Gibson Explorer, Fender Stratocasters, a 1964 Vox AC30 and a Korg SDD-3000 delay, and has said he uses Universal Audio amp pedals with Fractal Axe-Fx units. Adam Clayton uses a Fender Precision Bass; Larry Mullen Jr. has been seen playing Yamaha drums.

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AllTop 5The Edge: guitarsThe Edge: ampsThe Edge: effectsThe Edge: picks, strings and stageAdam Clayton: bassLarry Mullen Jr.: drumsBono: vocals
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What gear U2 uses: a sourced gear guide

Independent research by truerecs: every item links to the public source it comes from.

The Edge: guitars

17 items

The Edge: amps

8 items

The Edge: effects

24 items

The Edge: picks, strings and stage

5 items

Adam Clayton: bass

6 items

Larry Mullen Jr.: drums

2 items

Bono: vocals

2 items
Questions

About U2's gear.

What guitar does The Edge play?

He has been seen with a 1976 Gibson Explorer, his Fender Edge Signature Stratocaster, a 1973 black Strat, a 1971 Telecaster, Les Pauls, a 1966 SG, a 1964 Epiphone Casino and a Rickenbacker 330/12. Premier Guitar's 2018 rig rundown says he plays 18 to 20 guitars a show.

What amp does The Edge use?

For the 2023 Sphere shows he has said he switched to Universal Audio Ruby, Dream and Woodrow amp pedals with Fractal Axe-Fx units. Before that he was seen using his 1964 Vox AC30TB, tweed Fender Deluxes, a 1957 Fender Harvard and his signature Fender Edge Deluxe.

What delay does The Edge use?

He has said his first was an Electro-Harmonix Memory Man. His live racks have been seen with a Korg SDD-3000, TC Electronic 2290s, an Eventide H3000 and Fractal Axe-Fx II XL units, per MusicRadar and Premier Guitar.

What picks does The Edge use?

Herdim nylon picks with the dimpled grip. He told Guitar World he prefers the blue ones and holds them upside down so the rough edge hits the strings.

What bass does Adam Clayton play?

Adam Clayton uses a Fender Precision Bass, which Bass Magazine says has remained his instrument of choice. He also has his own Fender Adam Clayton Jazz Bass, based on his 1965 Sherwood Green Jazz Bass, and a Fender ACB 50 signature amp.

What drums does Larry Mullen Jr. play?

Yamaha drums with a 24-inch kick, a 14-inch rack tom and two 16-inch floor toms, plus a 12x7 Brady snare, according to his drum tech Sam O'Sullivan on U2.com.

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About this guide · Last checked

U2 are the Dublin rock band of Bono, The Edge, Adam Clayton and Larry Mullen Jr. This guide covers The Edge's guitars, amps and delays from rig rundowns and his own interviews, plus Adam Clayton's basses, Larry Mullen Jr.'s drums and Bono's stage mic.

truerecs put this guide together from public videos, interviews and posts. Each item says how we know and links to the source. U2 didn't write it or choose anything on it. How we source gear guides.

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