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The sound of early U2 was defined by the sound of Edge’s Gibson Explorer and Electro-Harmonix Memory Man delay pedal.

Edge bought his first Explorer in 1976 in New York City. “It was the first guitar I bought with the idea I might play with a band,” he says. “I was 17. When I brought it back I did think: 'Shit, it’s a little strange looking!’

"But everyone loved the sound.”

Edge auctioned that particular Explorer in 2008 with all proceeds to benefit the Music Rising charity and the musicians of the Gulf Coast. (More later.)

Here, Adam Clayton plays an Ibanez bass.

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