U2 Atomic: Bono - Gear

Home | About This Site | GEAR OVERVIEW - by era | ALVAREZ-YAIRI | DANVEL NELSON | FENDER | GIBSON | GRETSCH | HOHNER | ROLAND | WASHBURN | YAMAHA | VOX | Atomic Affiliate Links

About This Site

Hello U2 fans. The mission statement is pretty simply. A listing of pictures and info on gear that U2 use in the studio and during live performances.
 
Check back often as the site is continually growing with new photos, information and items.
 
The information here in is not 100% complete. But we are continually updating and trying to keep the lists as accurate and complete as possible.
 
We do so by being kind to those that offer information, by checking the sources, and more often than not by getting said information confirmed by band, crew or the manufacturers of said equipment.
 
In no way do we think our site is the biggest or the best on the subject. But it is an ego-free user friendly environment. 
 
Enjoy.
 
A BIT ABOUT...   BONO's GUITARS:
In the early days of U2 Bono could be seen having a strum on a Fender Lead II during "A Day Without Me" and that was about it. Starting with The Unforgettable Fire tour, Bono began playing a lot more guitar.  Initially, toting a Washburn Festival Acoustic for a song here and there.
 
That said, for the majority of U2's career Bono seems to have favored Gibson and Gretsch guitars.
 
By The Joshua Tree tour, The Gibson J160-e and various Telecasters began making appearances.
 
For Zoo TV Bono began playing a black Gibson ES-175 for a lot of his guitar 'duties'. 
 
Popmart tour saw two the retirement of the black ES-175 in favour of two custom finish sparkle ES-175's [one in blue the other in red]. Bono also brought out his Gibson Les Paul Custom for a few shows as well as a custom metallic finish Gibson Les Paul Custom for "Last Night On Earth"; althouth most nights saw him playing this song with his red sparkle ES-175. The Gibson Hummingbird with star stickers, was put to use for the acoustic/b-stage moments and his Gretsch Chet Atkins Tennessean was used for "Gone".
 
The Elevation 2001 tour saw Bono playing Gretsch electrics. Early in the tour it was his Gretsch Chet Atkins Tennessean was used for "Gone" and his cadillac green Gretsch Country Club. The Country Club was later replaced by custom built Gretsch "Irish Falcon". This 'custom' guitar is now available as a production model.
 
The Vertigo tour has seen Bono concentrating more on singing and playing less guitar. For most guitar duties, Bono still plays his Gretsch "Irish Falcon",
 
Another thing to keep in mind is guest appearances and promo spots. It is not always the 'given' that Bono will be using his own guitar. There have been some performances in which Bono has been seen with a guitar and not seen with it again. This does not mean 100% that it was a loaner or rented for the occasion but it does leave this as a possibility. Examples? One example would be the 1999 Net-Aid show. Bono was seen playing a black Takamine (electric acoustic). I am not 100% certain of which model. But I do know that I have not seen video or pictures of Bono using that guitar before or since the Net-Aid show. Another example would be the 2003 Pavarotti and Friends show. Bono was seen playing a Gretsch Black Falcon. While it is a similar make and model to his "Goal Is Soul" Irish Falcon, I've not seen Bono use the Black Falcon before or since the 2003 Pavarotti and Friends show.
 
Enjoy!

bonocapnguitarbostondvddreamoutloud.gif

U2 - Atomic: Then and Now
thenandnow_u2.jpg
* click on photo for main U2 Atomic site *