eBow

[BassOrdinaire]

I bought an eBow Plus a couple years ago, and have had no luck using it on bass. Once in a blue moon I can get it to work but nothing like I see some players on YouTube do (I've seen some people get almost instant response out of their strings!).

I have no issues using it on guitar. I know that bass in general is harder to use it on, due to the lack of bass-fitted grooves and the thicker strings, but I still feel as if it shouldn't be quite this difficult. I generally hold it parallel as close as I can get to the string somewhere between the neck pup and the fingerboard.

If anyone has any tips regarding eBow use on bass, please share them and I will love you forever. Thanks in advance!

[Nev375]

Use your fingers as a guide along the edge of the ebow. the edge of the ebow should rest against an adjacent string perfectly. Start by practicing on the D string using both thumb and fingers at the edges as a guide. Then move to the A string. Once you have mastered the 2-edge guide technique work on your single edge guide technique anchoring your thumb on the D to vibrate the G, and anchoring your fingers on the A to vibrate the E.

The G string will tend to respond the fastest of all strings (thinnest), but having only your thumb as a guide makes it a little tricky to keep the thing parallel.

Lighter gauge strings will yield somewhat quicker response., but not much in and of itself.

The trick to a rapid response on bass is to get the string started vibrating either by a gentle hammer-on or vibrato. on a fretless this can be done easily without excess noise with the slide-vibrato technique. (watch Michael Manring closely, he is the god of bass ebow) This can be the hardest thing to learn to do smoothly without any unwanted clicks or string noises.

Holding the magnetic field over a pickups magnetic field can get things happening faster too. But there is distortion involved.... which could be desirable in some cases.

Also, don't use half-depleted batteries.

Keep at it. It's kinda like learning to use a pick the very first time, just harder. But once you get it, it's effortless. Just remember its mostly about controlling the mechanical noises of the thing bumping against adjacent strings and getting strings started vibrating enough for the magnetics to kick in and take over. Forget about trying to hold it in space without touching anything. Developing a clean and quiet mechanical touch is easier.

[jeffbonny]

Michael Manring is pretty good with the eBow and has a few comments here.

[BassOrdinaire]

thanks for the advice. I tried replacing the battery and that seemed to do the trick for a bit, but it looks like it's already dying again!

Is this normal with eBows or do I possibly have a lemon?

[Oneirogenic]

Hmmm...try testing the battery? Something could be funky with the ebow causing it to drain batteries faster. I don't have to change the battery in mine very often and I use my ebow quite regularly. Practice, practice, practice! It's not an easy thing to learn...how you have the ebow aligned with your target string makes a big difference.

[BritPicker]

Ebows kill batteries, it's definately more responsive with a fresh Duracell in there.

Obviously that gets expensive after a while.

For practice, I used to use a one-spot with the battery clip adaptor. The wire is sort of awkward, but at least it doesn't run out. Use a battery for gigs or when its just too much of a pain.

Also I used to find that the Ebow is the easiest thing in the world to leave switched on. And I always used to do this just after getting a new battery!

[edumamare]

just a tip!

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