Our Edge

(This Blog was supposed to be all about me, but I took over a year to write one post and this page, so we are changing it…)

So the real Edge uses 30 odd guitars per show and a stack of amps and equipment with flashy lights, and a guy pedaling beneath the stage to keep him going. I have read is that he prefers VOX AC30’s for his main tone and that his effects have changed over the years but Korg A3’s are his main delay units.

My rig consists of the following, although most of these items I like for me, and not because they make me particularly edgy…

Guitars

My main ones for this band are a 1974 Strat and a 1968 Gibson SG (which has a single coil toggle switch for the bridge humbucker). They sound great and I use them for all the songs we do. If we start making more money at the gigs, I promise to buy more guitars ;)

Amps

I am fortunate to be friends with Gerald at Kendrick Amplifiers in Texas (www.kendrick-amplifiers.com) so I have three of his amps. I use a Black Gold 2010 (50W 2×12) for bigger shows and a Gig Rig (1×12) for smaller shows, plus a K-Spot that I added in 2007. These boutique amps are like super hot rod Fenders and I have them finished in Brazilian Canarywood so although I look nothing like U2’s backline, they are pretty distinctive. I play them clean with a very slight tube/valve breakup that warms up the POD with a slight natural compression and loads of volume.

Effects

POD XT with the SWB Shortboard Foot controller. I have a Dunlop Jimi Hendrix signature wah pedal cause I like the extra sweep, but I also use the onboard POD wah with the POD. I need to get a Line 6 Verbzilla for the “shimmer” effect the real Edge uses, but I am holding out in case they offer it as a patch for the POD instead.

POD Stompbox the Verbzilla.  Got it last Friday (8/11/09) for the Shimmer effect (called Octo on this pedal) eluded to by other guitar players copying The Edge.  Causing me some cabling and path/signal issues, will update once I figure out how to use it.

Other stuff 

I have the Blue Herdim picks the Edge uses (bought them on ebay), but I prefer to use blue 1mm Dunlop Tortex picks live. I use Shure in ear monitors have a Shure SM57 straight on the amp speaker (no angle) which gets the best tone for me out of the main PA. In addition to the in ear monitors I also use a floor wedge to blast the guitars back at me, allowing me to ride the feedback and feel more expressive. Its a pretty cool setup cause its still loud but I don’t have ringing ears anymore.

Oh, and my wooly hat.

Summary

I am actually pretty fortunate that I am happy with my rig. Have been for years. I have played in various bands both recording and live, and for the most part, can always find a sweet spot with my gear without too much programming.