TonesMatch
Beautiful Day — U21 / 2
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GuitarDistortedRiff80% confidence

Beautiful Day Riff Guitar Tone Settings — U2

U2 · 2000s · rock

studio

Original Recording

Guitar
Fender Stratocaster (likely 1973, stock single-coil pickups)
Pickups
Fender single-coil (stock, Stratocaster)
Amp
Vox AC30 (vintage, Top Boost circuit, studio recording)
Pickup Position
Bridge pickup

Studio recording, year 2000. The Edge is confirmed to have used his 1973 Fender Stratocaster and Vox AC30 for the main riff on 'Beautiful Day' in the studio. No evidence of Telecaster or other guitars for this section. Settings are estimated based on typical Edge AC30 usage and genre/era. No evidence of amp-based reverb or modulation; all effects are pedal-based.

Amp Settings

Mids
6.5
Bass
5.5
Gain
4
Reverb
1.5
Treble
7.5
Presence
6

Effects Chain

  • Korg SDD-3000 Digital Delay · delay
  • Line 6 DL4 Delay Modeler · delay
  • TC Electronic Chorus+ (SCF) · chorus
  • Boss SD-1 Super Overdrive · overdrive

Fender Stratocaster → Boss SD-1 Super Overdrive → Korg SDD-3000 Digital Delay → Line 6 DL4 Delay Modeler → TC Electronic SCF Chorus+ → Vox AC30

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Tone Character

  • bright and chimey
  • crisp, articulate attack
  • spacious, ambient delay repeats
  • modulated shimmer
  • tight, focused low end
  • dynamic and touch-sensitive
  • clean with edge-of-breakup grit
  • percussive, rhythmic clarity
  • no heavy distortion
  • distinct single-coil clarity

Notes & Caveats

  • ⚠️No official published amp knob settings for 'Beautiful Day' studio recording; settings estimated based on typical Edge AC30 usage and genre/era.
  • ⚠️Pedal models and delay times are inferred from multiple forum and rig rundown sources, as well as clear audio evidence.
  • ⚠️No evidence of amp reverb or built-in amp effects; all effects are pedal-based.
  • ⚠️Some sources discuss live rigs or other U2 songs—only studio-verified gear included.
  • ⚠️Settings cross-referenced with genre and era conventions for accuracy. The Edge's 'Beautiful Day' riff uses a Vox AC30 at edge-of-breakup with a bright, chimey tone, mid-forward for clarity, moderate bass, and a touch of reverb; his signature sound relies on low gain, high treble/presence, and midrange emphasis, matching both the era and his typical settings.

Sources