Having trouble with Ebow.

[SubGuitar]

Hi all. I really want to get an ebow to use on some of my tracks, but having been down the store I can hardly get a sound out of it, and I'm wondering if anyone here might be able to suggest why.

A couple of years ago I borrowed an ebow from a friend and found it easy to use, and recorded a whole song with it.

So I have no idea what the deal is now.

I don't use the same bass any more, and was wondering if the pickups could make a big difference, but I tried it on my Fender Jazz, my Yamaha with a MM style humbucker, and an Ibanez similar to the one I'd successfully used it on in the past. Still no joy.

Help please! Does anyone know what I need to do to get these things to work?

[Mudfuzz]

Try a fresh battery!

What strings are you using?

[Mudfuzz]

Also on a bass you really have to hold the thing just right, there is less wiggle room on a bass then a guitar.

[Dirk Diggler]

Yes I suggest using fresh rounds, hold the thumb and index finger to act as a cradle holding flush to the bottom of the ebow.
thumb| EBOW| index finger
Run the fingers parallel to the strings and Ebow body.
Smaller strings tend to work better, try starting the string with a hammer on. Also if the one you are trying is new make sure you're not using the harmonic mode, if it's the gray one that would be switched to the right. The old ones only had a one way switch.
And yes a fresh battery will help, and if you really want it to scream then hold it closer to the bridge and of course over the pickups you should have plenty of vibration.

Good luck and happy ebowing.
Dirk

[Mudfuzz]

Rounds arn't really necessary, I've been using a e-bow on flats for 13 years. But I do feel that all steel is better then nickel.

Actually the things will work on acoustic instruments [although not as loud as plucking, picking ect] even DB.

[SubGuitar]

Ahh. Perhaps it could have been the battery. Like I said I've got no trouble with the technique.

It was in a shop and he went to go fetch a battery for it, and I'd assume he just grabbed any old one that was lying around. I'll go back and try again with my own battery I think.

Thanks all

[Mudfuzz]

Originally Posted by funkifiedsoul

I've never heard ebow used on a bass. Any link to hear it?
Thnx.

In my sig, That band you hate: songs Oib and Dens... have e-bowed bass as the lead instrument. and Growll: Fuzzy Karma.

[Mudfuzz]

Nope, there isn't any on that, that is just 2sec loops on a done on a old digitech pds 1002 with distortion.

[therex]

Originally Posted by funkifiedsoul

I've never heard ebow used on a bass. Any link to hear it?
Thnx.

1 ebow is fun
2 ebows is just crazy fun
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xx1Rc...eature=related

[irvinz]

that is one awesome link. im gonna get me another ebow i think