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Konrad
Bronze Member
United Kingdom
76 Posts |
 Posted - 06/10/2008 : 16:18:28
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Hi, does anyone use an Ebow, or has used one in the past? I'm surprised nothing came up in a search.
I've never tried one and I'm curious, but sceptical. Would it be one of those useless toys that I'd never use?  |
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zentropa
Gold Member
USA
837 Posts |
Posted - 06/10/2008 : 16:27:41
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i messed around with one for a few hours...
which is the length of time needed to think it's cool for a while and then go through the natural progression of wondering when you'd actually use it and deciding it would end up in your box of other crap that you never use.
if you absolutely positively want to sound like very slow reacting bowed strings accept no substitutes.
my personal recommendation is to only pick one up if you can find a used one or new one on clearance that costs equal to or less than what you make in 1 hour of work at your job. |
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kidcheesyriffs
Copper Member
USA
24 Posts |
Posted - 06/10/2008 : 17:20:21
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| Yeah, I remember back in the late 80's / early 90's, the ebow, sustainiac and Boss Super Feedbacker & Distortion were out at the same time. I think the ebow sounded fine, it's just that holding it by the strings with the picking hand was a bit unwieldy and awkward. I remember playing some guitars with sustainiacs and the Fernandez sustainiac knockoff. My perference for the sustainer type devices was the Boss because I liked the foot activated controller, and because I could plug any guitar into it. |
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Konrad
Bronze Member
United Kingdom
76 Posts |
Posted - 06/10/2008 : 22:32:11
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Thanks for the information both of you - it seems to confirm what I thought.  |
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Mr Arkadin
Bronze Member
United Kingdom
119 Posts |
Posted - 06/10/2008 : 22:33:20
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OK i have three ebows, a Super Feedbacker & Distortion and a Fernandes Ravelles with Sustainer (and i'm looking forward to the new Moog Guitar), so...
Well obviously i'm into sustained sounds. The DF-2 is more of an occasional effect not one for (ahem) sustained use (sorry). i have two ebows and an ebow Plus. If you get one make sure you get the Plus - not only does it have two modes (normal/harmonic) but it has a very bright blue LED (cool). i've had one since i was 14 (i'm now 40) so i am always a little surprised when people say they're difficult to play. Sound-wise check out the artisits that use them and see if it's a sound you want (hint: Bill Nelson). i think it is suited to more ambient pad sounds or unusual solo leads as obviously you can only play one string at a time.
The Fernandes guitar is brilliant, but very different to the ebow for lots of reasons. It has normal/harmonic modes too, but obviously plays all six strings - sometimes a good thing, sometimes not (you can of course mute as required). Also you can fade in or control notes in quite the same way as an ebow so i still use both. The Moog Guitar might solve this (but i'll wait for a cheaper model to appear i think).
If you're in London i could demo one for you if you like.
Mr Arkadin. |
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FunkenGrooven
Silver Member
USA
360 Posts |
Posted - 06/11/2008 : 02:27:27
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Well for my 2 cents I have to say I love it, it's great for adding texture to certain songs. Many players have used them over the years U2's Edge did on "With Or Without You" and if you play with a group that has more than one guitarist I think it's great for adding swells and single note lines, for me I like it best over more ballad style music but it works with many styles. I may record a vid for YouTube and link you to it so you can check it out, meantime one of the guitar greats, wait for the bagpipe sound at 1:50 http://youtube.com/watch?v=wwq0i6jP7dQ
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verivorax
Platinum Member
Canada
1185 Posts |
Posted - 06/11/2008 : 04:40:12
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They are a lot of fun.. different than a sustainiac despite the similarities in principle.
I've seen people use it very effectively, but no one has ever shown me the sweet Eleanor Rigby trick they have on the ebow website..  I there's a passage in an old Opeth song which employs an ebow to simulate strings pretty effectively.
If you have a narrow-waisted guitar, a real but inexpensive violin/cello bow is anotehr alternative. |
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Heart and Soul
Silver Member
USA
369 Posts |
Posted - 06/12/2008 : 07:46:49
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| i have one and while i'll admit it that i don't use it much it has it's moments...i use it mostly when i play tabletop guitar and tweak the electronics and i think it's great for that and making noise music, cause it goes nuts with alot of distortion...it's a great tool for recording really...i can't see myself ever getting rid of it... |
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Goran
Double Platinum Member
Sweden
2203 Posts |
Posted - 06/12/2008 : 11:30:14
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Iīve used and owned an E-bow since the 70īs. I always keep one in my case when on jams or when recording experimental music. Itīs a great tool to get dreamy weird sounds, especially with long delays.
I like it a lot, itīs an essential tool for me, just like DD-20.
I never tried the Plus version.
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Topic |
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Ebow? Opinions please.
