Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Pretty nice setup - I wonder what song he is playing. He seems top play a lot of different guitars.

I heard him say he uses 18 guitars in a live set nowadays. And an amazing 18 they are.

Last time I saw U2 he only used the Ric for "Mysterious Ways".

And some more from the web:

To reiterate what I said on another Forum:

I do not care how many guitars the Edge uses, U2 simply do not 'float my boat' - and never have done. This may seem a strange sentiment coming from someone who lives in Ireland, but I am simply not impressed by music which largely consists of simple guitar riffs, repeated endlessly and heavily reliant upon technology and special effects to cover up lack of true musicianship. Time will be the judge of how relevant the group was, but I have a feeling that no-one will be humming U2 melodies in 20 or 30 years time.

As for Bono, that pretentious, sanctimonious do-gooder (who is clearly more interested in his own media profile than the causes he allegedly supports), I wouldn't cross the street to acknowledge him - in fact, I would cross over the street to avoid him! He was on television about two months ago, talking about how John Lennon had influenced him, as if he was somehow an equal. In my books, he would not even be fit to string JL's Rickenbacker! Hardly surprising therefore that these two overpaid goons are funding and writing the music for 'Spider Man', the biggest theatrical flop In history. If they had any sense of social responsibility, they would have given the $65m allegedly wasted so far to the citizens of Ireland who need it most in these difficult times.

You might be right on their historical significance, but for the most part they are a positive force, albeit a sellout. I think a lot of their success in the US is directly corollary to their subdued religious metaphorical messages. Christian rock is big business in the US, and they have influenced many artists of that genre. I think The Edge has more guitars than is fair, but to each his own.

redamber wrote:To reiterate what I said on another Forum:

I do not care how many guitars the Edge uses, U2 simply do not 'float my boat' - and never have done. This may seem a strange sentiment coming from someone who lives in Ireland, but I am simply not impressed by music which largely consists of simple guitar riffs, repeated endlessly and heavily reliant upon technology and special effects to cover up lack of true musicianship. Time will be the judge of how relevant the group was, but I have a feeling that no-one will be humming U2 melodies in 20 or 30 years time.

As for Bono, that pretentious, sanctimonious do-gooder (who is clearly more interested in his own media profile than the causes he allegedly supports), I wouldn't cross the street to acknowledge him - in fact, I would cross over the street to avoid him! He was on television about two months ago, talking about how John Lennon had influenced him, as if he was somehow an equal. In my books, he would not even be fit to string JL's Rickenbacker! Hardly surprising therefore that these two overpaid goons are funding and writing the music for 'Spider Man', the biggest theatrical flop In history. If they had any sense of social responsibility, they would have given the $65m allegedly wasted so far to the citizens of Ireland who need it most in these difficult times.

+1, I can't stand U2. To each their own, but to me the Edge has just become an integral part of his own effects loop.

I don't have a problem with the Edge (I do with Bono -- he's a real piece of work, no matter how much charity he works with). His guitar techniques aren't very difficult, but i'd say it takes a certain amount of skill to recognize an interesting tone (even through effects pedals), and use that as the basis for a song.

Kind of like painting a picture with guitar textures.

Though, I will say that the Edge didn't deserve his place in that documentary with Jimmy Page and Jack White (This Might Get Loud), and it certainly showed when they were all in the same room together.

I was also curious how Edge got in This Might Get Loud - Page the consummate blues dissector and interpreter through the psychedelic subculture; White the raw-talented garage kid who grew up with the blues and interpreted them through a purist, garage context; and Edge....I don't get it? Maybe because all three were on the Rolling Stone top 100 guitarists?

I like U2 (not everything mind you, there have certainly been some misses, but quite a few songs are pretty great) although I certainly respect your right not to like them. I ignore Bono's political stuff as I do most Musicians. They are entitled to their opinions as I am entitled to mine. I leave it there.

I bought my first U2 record, Boy, (vinyl) in the early '80's and they're still relevant today. That's a 30 year career in a rough business....so far. There are very few bands that have accomplished as much.

Rarified air, whether it's your cup of tea or not.

And I don't mind at all when he pulls out the 330

redamber wrote:...Time will be the judge of how relevant the group was, but I have a feeling that no-one will be humming U2 melodies in 20 or 30 years time...

Count me as one of the few that are still humming their tunes from over 30 years ago. Their first three albums, in particular the first two, were nothing short of classics for a skinny white kid from nowhere important.

He does play some nice guitars too.

Oops - it seems that my somewhat strident views on U2/Edge/Bono triggered an interesting mix of varied responses, worldwide - all cogently presented. I guess this just goes to show the value of having an active and healthy Forum where we can all exchange our views and let off some steam from time to time.

And of course I absolutely respect the right of every RRF member to have his/her own opinion - that's what makes us different!

I agree that Bono's ego is kind of a turn-off, but they've made some good music over the years. I got hooked on War and The Unforgettable Fire on vinyl back in the day. I don't care so much for the middle stuff, but the last couple of albums have been pretty good. Yeah, the Edge isn't your classic lead guitarist ****** type, but you've got to give him some credit for creating a whole new style that was really unique at the time. And he's a really low-key kind of guy. I've seen them live twice and they put on a good long show both times. There sure were a lot of different guitars in use.

From my own point of view the worst thing to happen to two of my favorite bands, U2 and REM, their singers realized they were famous. They then went from being rock singers in two of the best alt-bands of the early eighties to two singers who had to always point out their political agendas, albeit, they were far from being the first political musicians. The high-light for me as a U2 fan was seeing them in '82 with the unknown "The Alarm" at the now gone Bronco Bowl in Dallas. The year before U2 played a wet t-shirt contest at a club now used as a Mens Wearhouse off Northwest Highway, Central Dallas.
Edge did seem to play the guitar a lot more in the 80s, instead of playing the pedals, but I still like him, and the band.
The most ironic thing about U2/Bono, is that he has a Signature Gretsch...I bet his amp volume was barely turned up back then, when he'd kneel in front of the amp and jam...see "Rattle and Hum."
Edge and his guitars, love'em--like Johnny Ramone said, "When the amp is really loud guitars all guitars sound the same," or something of that nature. I'd agree to a point.
I love my 330s, but love them mainly with a Fender Deluxe Reverb...the best clean/reverb in town?

...wisdom through opining

Joe, as usual, gets it pretty much spot on.

As a band I can take or leave U2. Some tracks I really like ("One" in particular) others leave me cold.
Technically, I don't care how good musicians are, I hate all the 'not fit to lick Hendrix boots' rubbish.
My all time favourite guitar solo is just one note. It doesn't matter.

If I was a rich as the Edge, I'd definitely have more guitars, amps, and pedals than he does. But like the Edge, I would play them all.

Pop stars and politics?
A great man once sang: "Ideals are fine when you are young but...."
From Dylan to Lennon to Bono, there's just to many contradictions to take any of them completely seriously on that level, but all 3 have at different times produced some great music, which is what it's all about for me.

Now, what was the question?