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Thread: Could I use the Ed O'Brien Sustainer Stratocaster to cover With Or Without You?

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    Could I use the Ed O'Brien Sustainer Stratocaster to cover With Or Without You?

    I'm very surprised no one has ever posted a YouTube video of this being done. With Or Without You by U2 is a very interesting song for ordinary guitarists to play.

    On YouTube, I've seen most guitarists use an EBow when attempting to cover With Or Without You. Other guitarists use Strats that have been professionally outfitted with some sort of sustainer system.

    For live performances of With Or Without You, The Edge himself (I think) uses a custom shop Fender Strat with a Fernandes Sustainer installed.



    Then I learned that Radiohead's Ed O'Brien came out with his signature Fender Strat.



    His Strat already has a Fernandes Sustainer single-coil configured at the neck position.

    Could I use the Fender EOB Sustainer Strat to play With Or Without You?

    I have yet to get my hands on the EOB Strat itself. I just wanted to get everyone else's opinion first.

    The last thing I want to do is to have my Fender Classic Series 70s Strat modded. Thus, I'm under the impression that maybe the EOB Strat will do the trick.

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    Re: Could I use the Ed O'Brien Sustainer Stratocaster to cover With Or Without You?

    Any help, guys?

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    Forum Member ch willie's Avatar
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    Re: Could I use the Ed O'Brien Sustainer Stratocaster to cover With Or Without You?

    I'm not sure that any of us have even seen an EOB Strat--at least I haven't seen a mention here.

    You could probably get pretty close to the sound on the Strat you have. There are sustainer pedals that could get you there. And of course delay--The Edge often runs at least two at a time.

    That EOB is an attractive Strat. If you are really into EOB or the guitar's features, I understand the purchase. If it's merely a matter of getting the sound for that particular song, yours ought to do it.
    If we'd known we were going to be the Beatles, we'd have tried harder.--George Harrison

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    Forum Member jrgtr42's Avatar
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    Re: Could I use the Ed O'Brien Sustainer Stratocaster to cover With Or Without You?

    Quote Originally Posted by ch willie View Post
    I'm not sure that any of us have even seen an EOB Strat--at least I haven't seen a mention here.

    You could probably get pretty close to the sound on the Strat you have. There are sustainer pedals that could get you there. And of course delay--The Edge often runs at least two at a time.

    That EOB is an attractive Strat. If you are really into EOB or the guitar's features, I understand the purchase. If it's merely a matter of getting the sound for that particular song, yours ought to do it.
    Agreed. I don't know that |I'd buy a guitar for the express purpose of one song - but I'm not pro, and my budget is severely limited by SWMBO.
    If I was in the spot of needing to cover that song, I'd dig out my Ebow or maybe think about getting a Sustainer installed in my Strat.
    either option is around $100, (I already have the Ebow, but imagining I didn't) while the EOB Sig runs $1100+.
    ********************************
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    "It is if you don't drop it."
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    Re: Could I use the Ed O'Brien Sustainer Stratocaster to cover With Or Without You?

    Quote Originally Posted by ch willie View Post
    You could probably get pretty close to the sound on the Strat you have. There are sustainer pedals that could get you there. And of course delay--The Edge often runs at least two at a time.
    Oh yeah, of course you need all the delay effects, as well as the Vox AC30.

    But what sustainer pedals are you talking about?

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    Forum Member ch willie's Avatar
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    Re: Could I use the Ed O'Brien Sustainer Stratocaster to cover With Or Without You?

    This pedal by EHX looks really interesting:

    https://www.ehx.com/products/freeze
    If we'd known we were going to be the Beatles, we'd have tried harder.--George Harrison

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    Forum Member blackonblack's Avatar
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    Re: Could I use the Ed O'Brien Sustainer Stratocaster to cover With Or Without You?

    Forget the pedal if you are doing the sing
    live, it doesn’t respond the way you need it to.

    You mention already havin an eBow. Use it. It can get you 90+% of the way there. (It’s what I use currently).

    If you can get a full Sustainer or Sustaniac up and running for $100, then do it. I’d plan though a figure closer to 250-350.

    I have a build started that will have a Sustaniac
    Mark

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    Re: Could I use the Ed O'Brien Sustainer Stratocaster to cover With Or Without You?

    You can pretty much almost any guitar for any song if you EQ it properly.

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    Forum Member Gavlan's Avatar
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    Re: Could I use the Ed O'Brien Sustainer Stratocaster to cover With Or Without You?

    I think you should do it! It's a good idea.

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