Anybody know what guitar was used to record U2's "Pride"?

ParameterMan

ParameterMan

New member
I can't seem to find a definitive answer... I've always thought that sound to be pretty much the ultimate semi-clean tone. I always assumed it was a strat until I saw him demonstrate his explorer. Now I'm not sure any more. What say you?
 
Re: Anybody know what guitar was used to record U2's "Pride"?

Knowing The Edge, it was the Explorer.
 
Re: Anybody know what guitar was used to record U2's "Pride"?

The Explorer was the axe on the first two albums. From Under a Blood Red Sky, he started using the black Strat, and had a Tele in the studio, too. From there on out, his collection just snowballed. I'm thinkin' Strat, but I haven't heard the tune in a while.
 
Re: Anybody know what guitar was used to record U2's "Pride"?

When was that song? I've seen him recently with strats a bit more than I used to.
 
Re: Anybody know what guitar was used to record U2's "Pride"?

El CHupacabra said:
When was that song? I've seen him recently with strats a bit more than I used to.
Click to expand...

Here:

Wikipedia said:
"Pride (In the Name of Love)" is the second song on U2's 1984 album The Unforgettable Fire and was released as the album's first single. Written about Martin Luther King, Jr., "Pride" is one of the band's most recognized songs, and appeared as the opening track on the compilation The Best of 1980-1990, and on the 2006 compilation U218 Singles. The song was a mixed critical but major commercial success for the band and has since come to be regarded as one of the band's best songs. It was named the 378th greatest song by Rolling Stone on their list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.
Click to expand...

I don't know a lot about U2, just that I always love this song.
 
Re: Anybody know what guitar was used to record U2's "Pride"?

Huh, I always thought it was a strat - you learn something new every day!
 
Re: Anybody know what guitar was used to record U2's "Pride"?

I just got done listening to "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For" and that's quite recognizably a strat's lower notch position. Same rig, slightly different guitar sound. I think my problem is I haven't had the opportunity to play a Gretsch-- I haven't learned that sound yet.
 
Re: Anybody know what guitar was used to record U2's "Pride"?

The Edge is also no stranger to processing his sound. I don't think it really matters what guitar he plays, his sound will be prevalent.
 
Re: Anybody know what guitar was used to record U2's "Pride"?

I'd say it was probably a strat. Just doesn't have the explorer beef to me. But as was said - edge may have processed it to death. Could have been a nylon string Uke originally.
 
Re: Anybody know what guitar was used to record U2's "Pride"?

Sometimes it's hard to tell between a Strat and a Gretsch. Especially if it's semi-overdriven and otherwise processed. Gretsch pickups are also thin sounding with low output like Strat pickups. The "quack" is just voiced a little different.
 
Re: Anybody know what guitar was used to record U2's "Pride"?

Fun Fact: The Edge has a standing order with several prestigious guitar dealers and stores to set aside any 1976 Gibson Explorer with a white finish for him
 
Re: Anybody know what guitar was used to record U2's "Pride"?

Which part? There's at least three separate guitars on that tune...

I've seen bits of pieces of video that was filmed while they were making the record... and I recall seeing his Explorer, the black Strat and what appeared to be a White Penguin.

Explorer through an AC30 can get pretty 'jangly'... that with a few stacked Korg SDD delays was his typical rig in the early years.

Just to further throw a wrench in there... looking at the two videos posted, they're in different keys. Live version is a 1/2 step down. Probably to save Bono's voice. Pretty common move...
 
Re: Anybody know what guitar was used to record U2's "Pride"?

J Moose: You're right, I should have specified which part appeals to me, although to my ear they all sound like the same guitar. I like where he's picking open chords and letting them ring; you can hear this at 1:22 and 2:35. I play a lot with digital delays through a stereo Vox setup so I feel I'm uniquely qualified to attest that it's not a strat. It's something with two pickups with both of them on. That open, airy sproing is something I can't place... makes me inclined to believe it's a Gretsch as I've played everything else that's a possibility here.
 
Re: Anybody know what guitar was used to record U2's "Pride"?

Rich_S said:
The Explorer was the axe on the first two albums. From Under a Blood Red Sky, he started using the black Strat, and had a Tele in the studio, too. From there on out, his collection just snowballed. I'm thinkin' Strat, but I haven't heard the tune in a while.
Click to expand...

What about his LP Custom?

I've heard that was all over everything. His "New Year's Day" Guitar.
 
Re: Anybody know what guitar was used to record U2's "Pride"?

I always heard a Gibsonish tone, like low-output humbuckers.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top