I think Edge is a fantastic player in the way he can make great music without all these complex tunes. His way of guitar playing really does make him stand out from the rest!
So does his sound, if you could chat with loads of 'educated/well informed' guitar players and suddenly bring up the Edge, I couldn't really be certain. But due to Edge's established style, I think you could expect to hear stuff along the lines of...
Oh yeah, The Edge...the one who uses Lots of Delay and has that chimey sound to his guitar?
Can't really think of any more. But the point I'm getting at is, sure he is a fantastic player, but he owes part of it to his effects. If you can play his stuff spot on and just tried it out on an electric guitar that goes straight to amp, without any Effects Pedals, and the Amp on pretty standard settings, I have a feeling it would sound rather plain...
I would like to think Edge has some pretty cool new sounds on U2's upcoming album as well as maybe staying with his established sound, but if I hadn't heard U2's new Single when it had been leaked on the net/previewed on the radio and suddenly heard it, and Edge was using his familiar sound, if you hadn't heard any Bono's Vocals yet, you'd probably know it was him on U2's new single pretty much straight away. So in a way, Edge's Sounds are a huge part of his playing...but I think he's fine without them. Their 'accousticy' set they play halfway through each show, for example....
I type way too much, sorry. I just have a lot to say, and don't think I could get my point across very simply.