Attempting the impossible: Gettin that sound cheap?

[bonoman816]

Hello all, I've been playing guitar for a while now but always come across disappointed when I learn a U2 song and it doesn't sound anything like how Mr. The Edge plays it, for many reasons but what I am getting at is the effects he uses. Obviously this whole area is dedicated to this, but I am wondering what pedals/effects are out there that sound similar to Edge but with a smaller cost? Thanks guys!

 

[Galeongirl]

A delay pedal would be a good start. You can find decent ones for not that much money.

 

[Chill Mike D]

Get a multi-effects pedal that has an AC30 amp model and a variety of delays, buy ther Herdim picks, and you'll get close.

 

[youtooellen]

If you're aiming for the older sound (Boy-era), then delay and slight distortion is really all you need. You can get both/either pedals at a reasonable price. As for the more ambient feel, I'm not too sure. Usually requires more money. Haha.

Happy hunting!

 

[Edge_Orchestra]

Line 6 M13 cost $500.00 and will allow you to cover a lot of ground.

 

[Barkeeper]

I've got a Line 6 Verbzilla for €100, which can imitate the shimmer pretty good.

 

[Edge_Orchestra]

I second that, Line 6 Verbzilla (octo setting) is a great shimmer for cheap. Verbzilla is about $149.99 new from Musicians Friend and the like. You can get one around $100-$120 on e-Bay and Craigslist.

Buy Line 6 ToneCore Verbzilla Guitar Effects Pedal | Delay & Reverb | Musician's Friend


If you've a bit more money, the Eventide Pitchfactor is even greater! But so is the price. I think it's around $499.99

pedalGEEK - Eventide Pitch Factor

 

[bonoman816]

Thanks guys! I'm still shopping around, but it was a big help! You guys rock!

 

['RoomOnFire]

How can the Pitchfactor be used in an Edge sense? Shimmer? The crystal echoes sound? Similar to the POG in any way?

 

[Edge_Orchestra]

How can the Pitchfactor be used in an Edge sense? Shimmer? The crystal echoes sound? Similar to the POG in any way?

Pitchfactor can be used for shimmer. 'Crystal Echoes' is a shimmer setting in the Eventide H3000.

Shimmer and POG are not the same. POG is more of the sound of the verses of Magnificent and not the orchestra trails one get with shimmer.

 

[Canadiens1131]

I had one of these, sans expression pedal, when I was starting out learning U2 songs and for 90$ or whatever I was so, so happy. Cheap manufacturing, but you don't need to spend a fortune on individual pedals at like 70$ each to get a good approximation of the U2 sound.

http://www.mooresmusicemporium.com/images/RP80.jpg

You could save individual presents (about 40?) for each song with each having a good combination of delay, chorus, fuzz, or whatever. In retrospect it's really surprising at the sound I could get for under a hundred dollars, and if you are just getting started with effects you might want to look into something similar.

Trying to pull off U2 with individual quality pedals is a money hole for the beginner.

 

[the tourist]

So I've gotten myself a good Edge tone... but if I were to lose it all and need to rebuy everything (new or in excellent condition), it'd cost between $4800-$5200 (depending upon prices of UK Vox amps used). But that's not exactly cheap.

Telecaster with SD P-Rails pickups/Stratocaster->
Splitter A->Hot Cube Clean Boost->EHX POG->TC Nova Delay->Vox AC30
Splitter B->Ernie Ball Volume->Boss TU-2->Line 6 Verbzilla->EHX LPB1->Fender Blues Jr.

This is a great setup for 80s U2 for sure.

 

[Chill Mike D]

Ah, how do you like the P-rails? I bought a couple of those myself and am going to put them into a mirrorball LP build kit.

 

[the tourist]

Let's just put it this way: any guitar I ever buy from now on will wind up with P-Rails in it. They're amazing and amazingly versatile.

 

[Chill Mike D]

Awesome. I'm excited about it.