E-bow

[Ripper]

Does anyone remember the E-bow?..Ive had mine now for about 10 years and I still get it out from time to time.

[Mini-Strat_Maine]

deepblue said:

Does anyone remember the E-bow?..Ive had mine now for about 10 years and I still get it out from time to time.

Got one awhile back via an eBay deal. One thing I was most impressed by was the sound clip (on Heet Sound's site, www.ebow.com) of Phil Keaggy doing his version of "Amazing Grace" with one.
He's got some other tricks like digital delay in there (I bought his "Electric Guitar Style" DVD), but I find the sound just captivating. There's some pretty neat stuff, like the woodwinds, etc., on the demo tape, too.
I should dig mine out and work with it some more, just for a little variety in my practice sessions.

[mlrpa]

I am a complete e-bowaholic! I was using one religiously about 15 years ago, and stopped using it about 5 years ago after it died on me. (Of course during a gig. When else does something die a horrible death?) I've just never gotten around to getting another one. Greatest toy known to man! What some real fun? Use it on a guitar synth!

[dunkelfalke]

is it difficult to play with an e-bow?

[Mini-Strat_Maine]

dunkelfalke said:

is it difficult to play with an e-bow?

Not so difficult really, but it's really a whole new bunch of things to learn. Most of the same priciples (arpeggios, etc.), but different ways of "applying" it, according to whether you want string effects, woodwinds, or whatever.
There's some pretty amazing stuff on the demo tape that comes with one, and he explains how to get different effects. From there, it's all about using it enough to get comfortable with "what does what."

[4real]

The ebow is really a special device. I don't have one but it is an elegant implimentation of the sustainer of course.

It still seems a bit expensive (at least in oz) and has some limitations...it's pretty much monophonic (one string at a time) and you have to drop your pick and picking/muting technique to use it. On the other hand, it has some unique features like exploiting the pickups magnetic fields and being able to move the driver and sensor around the string to get the best response and other effects.

The sustainer is really just a big ebow. It uses the guitar's existing bridge pickup as the sensor and has a driver that covers all the strings. So, you don't have to loose your technique but can combine it with typical ebow like sounds. Not being able to move the driver does cause some problems to overcome for the device and the ebow has some unique effects...

I have seen several DIY versions through the Sustainer Thread at PG and it can be done. The circuit is just a very basic LM386 amp with a matching driver and little pickup. Because all the power is being concentrated on one string and it is mobile along the string, it is not so hard to do. What shouldn't be underestimated is the enclosure...you can build one, but can you package it so well!!!

I just love the sustain effects of this type of device and the ebow is probably the easiest way to check it out...

great stuff... pete

[sumgai]

mlrpa,

I am a complete e-bowaholic! I was using one religiously about 15 years ago, and stopped using it about 5 years ago after it died on me. (Of course during a gig. When else does something die a horrible death?) I've just never gotten around to getting another one. Greatest toy known to man! What some real fun? Use it on a guitar synth!

Oops, yet another 13-pin fan, I see. ;D

I was just about to refer to ChrisK, but you'll do. Wanna play an Amazing Grace guaranteed to soak every hanky in the joint? Set your synth to only respond to the E and A strings (mute the other 4), and set the sound to something like a bagpipe (of course). I don't have that in a GR-33, so I use a mizmir with some extra bass and an offset in the chorus of +3. Over on the VG-88 side, I mute the input of the E and A strings, and set the other 4 to use a sawtooth wave form, very mild, with a bit of reverb and a touch of chorus.

eBow the lower two strings gently, and finger pluck the upper strings. Requires practice, in spades, but once you get the hang of it, you'll be driven to find other tunes to play this way. Made all my investment worth it right there, I swear.


sumgai

[RandomHero]

I just picked up an e-bow from my workplace for about $50. It's been yesterday now and I have had my guitar in my hand without a pick for about 9 hours since then...

This thing is amazing! Forget learning the cello!

[Ripper]

I learned how to play the theme from the Godfather with my e-bow....very haunting actually, but it sounds great!

[servant]

deepblue said:

I learned how to play the theme from the Godfather with my e-bow....very haunting actually, but it sounds great!

We do a song at church where I use a slide, E-Bow and some delay. That raises some eyebrows!

[sumgai]

Goldfinger is another good candidate for this treatment.


sumgai

[mlrpa]

No Sumgai, I used a 24 pin Roland G707, a GR300, and the GR700, thru a E-mu Proteus/1, Roland D110, CM64, MT32 and SC-7, Ensoniq ESQ-1, Yamaha FB01, and the occassional Korg krap. (My live rack gear was about the size of a small fridge! The above synths, followed by modified rack versions of a Mu-tron II, & III, Alesis Midiverb II, Yamaha delay, MDA preamp, an Echoplex, and a stupid amount of stomp boxes.)
Today though, no synth. I'm thinking about adding a GK-3A to my SG, but don't want to fall into my G.A.S. habit again. (Hello, My name is Michael, and I suffer from G.A.S......)