Nice Ebow-ing, guys!
I goofed around with trying to create some kind of hands-free mount for the Ebow quite a few years ago, but never came up with anything that really worked for me. I agree with the notion that the real effectiveness of the Ebow lies in its flexibility, subtlety and sensitivity.
In fact, Im with Jeff in that I dont think Id want to do much of a re-design of the Ebow because it works so well as is. Actually, the inventor has consulted me several times over the years about design possibilities. I strongly encouraged him to create the dual mode harmonic system thats on the current model, but Im sorry to say, I was not so encouraging about the bass prototype he brought around. It was a bit bigger than the current model and I found that made it a little difficult to maneuver.
Concerning other sustain systems, theres an absolutely amazing bass sustain system designed by a guy named Fred Paroutaud, which is similar to having Ebows built into the bass. He put it in a five-string fretless, with an outboard brain box and a foot control pedal. He was kind enough to leave it with me for quite a long time and I had a blast with it. I used it for a lot of pad kinds of sounds on my CD, The Book of Flame and a few other recordings. Sadly, Fred hasnt been able to find anyone willing to market his amazing invention so its never gotten any farther than the prototype. Maybe if enough of you guys get interested in a really complete sustain system for bass it will see the light of day eventually.
One side note -- I didnt feel the Paroutaud bass eliminated the usefulness of the Ebow as the two systems are effective in different and compatible ways.
I goofed around with trying to create some kind of hands-free mount for the Ebow quite a few years ago, but never came up with anything that really worked for me. I agree with the notion that the real effectiveness of the Ebow lies in its flexibility, subtlety and sensitivity.
In fact, Im with Jeff in that I dont think Id want to do much of a re-design of the Ebow because it works so well as is. Actually, the inventor has consulted me several times over the years about design possibilities. I strongly encouraged him to create the dual mode harmonic system thats on the current model, but Im sorry to say, I was not so encouraging about the bass prototype he brought around. It was a bit bigger than the current model and I found that made it a little difficult to maneuver.
Concerning other sustain systems, theres an absolutely amazing bass sustain system designed by a guy named Fred Paroutaud, which is similar to having Ebows built into the bass. He put it in a five-string fretless, with an outboard brain box and a foot control pedal. He was kind enough to leave it with me for quite a long time and I had a blast with it. I used it for a lot of pad kinds of sounds on my CD, The Book of Flame and a few other recordings. Sadly, Fred hasnt been able to find anyone willing to market his amazing invention so its never gotten any farther than the prototype. Maybe if enough of you guys get interested in a really complete sustain system for bass it will see the light of day eventually.
One side note -- I didnt feel the Paroutaud bass eliminated the usefulness of the Ebow as the two systems are effective in different and compatible ways.
