What guitar did The Edge use on Mysterious Ways?

The Edge used a Gibson Explorer on 'Mysterious Ways'. This was one of his primary guitars during the Achtung Baby sessions and provided the foundation for the song's distinctive modulated lead guitar sound.

How to get The Edge's Mysterious Ways guitar tone?

Start with a Gibson-style guitar into a Vox AC30 with slight overdrive, then add an Eventide H3000 (or similar pitch shifter) and digital delay like the Korg SDD-3000. The key is layering pitch-shifted modulation with spacious delay to create the swirling texture.

What effects did The Edge use on Mysterious Ways?

The Edge primarily used an Eventide H3000 harmonizer for pitch-shifting and modulation effects, combined with a Korg SDD-3000 digital delay. These two units working together created the song's signature swirling, almost synthesizer-like guitar sound.

What amp did U2 use on Mysterious Ways?

The Edge used his signature Vox AC30 amplifier on 'Mysterious Ways'. The AC30's naturally jangly, chimey character provided the perfect foundation for the heavy effects processing that defines the song's guitar sound.

Can you get Mysterious Ways tone without an Eventide H3000?

Yes, modern alternatives include the Eventide H9 Max pedal or H3000 Factory plugin which contain the same algorithms. Budget options like TC Electronic's Flashback 2 or Boss pitch-shift delays can approximate the sound, though the H3000's specific character is hard to replicate exactly.

Where was Mysterious Ways recorded?

Mysterious Ways was recorded at Hansa Studios in Berlin during the Achtung Baby sessions. The album was produced by Daniel Lanois with Flood as engineer, and the Berlin studio's unique atmosphere contributed to the experimental sound of the record.

lead guitar from "mysterious ways" by u2

mysterious ways

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Tone Profile

A swirling, modulated guitar sound with a distinct, almost synth-like quality. It features a combination of shimmering modulation and a slightly overdriven amp, creating a unique and recognizable sonic texture.

Shop This Rig

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Gibson Explorer(instrument)
Vox AC30(amp)
Neumann U87(microphone)
Eventide H3000(processing)
Korg SDD-3000(processing)

The Story

The Edge's lead guitar on 'Mysterious Ways' was built around his signature combination of a Gibson Explorer through a Vox AC30, processed with an Eventide H3000 harmonizer and Korg SDD-3000 digital delay. The track was recorded during U2's 'Achtung Baby' sessions at Hansa Studios in Berlin, with Daniel Lanois producing and Flood engineering. The H3000's pitch-shifting and modulation algorithms created the swirling, almost synth-like quality that defines the song's distinctive guitar texture.

Production Credits

Producer: Daniel Lanois

Engineer: Flood

Recorded at: Hansa Studios, Berlin

Signal Chain

Instrument: Gibson ExplorerShop on Reverb

Amp: Vox AC30Shop on Reverb

Microphone: Neumann U87Shop on Reverb

Processing: Eventide H3000Shop on Reverb, Korg SDD-3000Shop on Reverb

Recreation Tips

Start with a clean amp tone from the Vox AC30, with just a touch of overdrive.
Use the Eventide H3000 to add chorus, delay, and subtle pitch-shifting. Experiment with the 'Crystals' or 'Micropitch' algorithms.
Incorporate the Korg SDD-3000 for additional delay and modulation, focusing on creating a sense of spaciousness and movement.
Adjust the mix of the dry and wet signals to find the right balance between the original guitar tone and the processed effects.

Original Gear

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Substitutions & Recommendations

Eventide H9 MaxShop on Reverb$600-$700

Alternative to: Eventide H3000

Contains the same core algorithms as the H3000 including Crystals and MicroPitch that created the pitch-shifted swirl on Mysterious Ways

Empress EchosystemShop on Reverb$450-$500

Alternative to: Korg SDD-3000

Digital delay with modulation capabilities that can recreate the SDD-3000's spacious, modulated delay textures

Eventide H3000 Factory PluginPlugin Boutique$179-$199

Alternative to: Eventide H3000 + Korg SDD-3000

Exact software recreation of the original H3000 hardware used on the track, with all the same algorithms

Vox AC30C2Shop on Reverb$800-$900

Alternative to: Vox AC30

Current production version of the same amp model The Edge used, providing the jangly foundation tone

TC Electronic Flashback 2Shop on Reverb$150-$180

Alternative to: Eventide H3000

Budget option with crystal pitch-shift delay modes that can approximate the H3000's pitch-shifted textures

Epiphone ExplorerShop on Reverb$400-$500

Alternative to: Gibson Explorer

More affordable version of The Edge's main guitar, providing the same basic pickup configuration and tonal foundation

Sources

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lead guitar from “mysterious ways” by u2 | ToneDB