How to Dial In "One Tree Hill" by U2 - Guitar Tone Settings
The Gear Behind "One Tree Hill"
Original Knob Positions, Pickup, and Tuning
Where to set the knobs for this tone. Each value is on the standard 0–10 amp scale.
These numbers are for an AC30. On your amp, they won't sound the same.
Get the settings for my ampHow the artist had their guitar configured for this take.
A track on The Joshua Tree, released in March 1987 and produced by Daniel Lanois and Brian Eno, written in memory of Greg Carroll, a New Zealander who worked for the band and died in 1986. The Edge's guitar is a rhythmic, echoing pattern with a bright, shimmering tone. The Edge's long-time setup is a Gibson Explorer through a Vox AC30 and a Korg SDD-3000 digital delay, the rack unit most associated with his rhythmic, dotted-eighth echoes, so that is the documented rig for this record. Use the bridge pickup, a clean, slightly compressed tone and a dotted-eighth delay.
Common Questions About the "One Tree Hill" Tone
What guitar did U2 use on "One Tree Hill"?
U2 tracked "One Tree Hill" on a Gibson Explorer (released 1987). Pickup selector: bridge pickup on the guitar. Tuned to standard (E A D G B E).
What amp settings does "One Tree Hill" need?
On an AC30: Gain 3, Bass 5, Mid 5.5, Treble 6.5, Presence 5, Volume 6.5. Each value is on the standard 0–10 amp scale; match them on your amp first, then nudge to taste. ToneMirror can translate these positions for whatever amp you actually own.
Can I play "One Tree Hill" without an AC30?
Yes. ToneMirror takes the original recipe above and adapts it to your guitar, amp, and pedals - so you can chase the "One Tree Hill" tone on a Katana, a Helix, a tube combo, or anything else. The translation accounts for EQ curve, gain structure, and pickup type so the result actually sounds like the record, not just the same knob numbers on different gear.
What pedals are on "One Tree Hill"?
The original signal chain for "One Tree Hill" runs through Korg SDD-3000 Programmable Digital Delay. Whether you own those exact units or close substitutes, ToneMirror maps the pedal voicings onto the pedalboard you actually have.
More Tones You Can Dial In
Tone references for "One Tree Hill" by U2 are provided for educational use. ToneMirror is not affiliated with the artists or labels referenced.