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Ebow for bass?

#21
I've recently started using an e-bow on bass. It is tricky getting used to positioning it just right to limit the distortion from the unit and buzzing, and getting the notes to swell, etc. but you'll find your own way by experimenting with placement. I've actually come to embrace the e-bow distortion at times, it reminds me of a cello being played aggressively.
 
#22
Love my Ebow! Haven't been able to use it live, but that's coming. I use my thumb and middle finger as guides on the outside of the base and it lines up perfectly. I have tried it on my guitars and have had almost no luck. Seems way too touchy. To me, it feels like it is more suited to bass, and I can really get the feeling of a bow by using vibrato with it. I play mostly six string bass, and the narrower string spacing is perfect. I am able to skip from string to string somewhat seamlessly. Can't use it on the outer two strings without hitting them though.
 
#24
That subtle filing of the outer wings is interesting. I'll have to try that on one of my modern eBows, as I don't want to experiment with any of my older ones.

I normally use an eBow on guitars and basses with active pickups/electronics, with my palm muting the strings to prevent unwanted harmonics and runaway volume. The actives allow my attacks to come on instantly when using the neck pickup.
 
#26
One question I have on this subject which I CANNOT seem to find an answer to and I will prob experiment with is can you series in another battery to amp the output like with active pickups???
meanning...
the same way you wire in another 9V battery to amp the voltage in active pickups and get a stronger sound

does the same thing work on an Ebow?
 
#27
Bagusys said:
One question I have on this subject which I CANNOT seem to find an answer to and I will prob experiment with is can you series in another battery to amp the output like with active pickups???
meanning...
the same way you wire in another 9V battery to amp the voltage in active pickups and get a stronger sound

does the same thing work on an Ebow?
Click to expand...

I was under the impression that's what either michael manring or steve lawson did-modified it for 18v
 
#28
LOVE my Ebow on the bass (actullay prefers its tone on it than anything else I've heard/tried). We have one song in the band and the chorus is all Ebow>Way Huge Swollen Pickle> Roland RE-20 Space Echo (mode 4,intensity near self-oscillation)

Sounds AMAZING!
 
#29
With practice ebow works fine on bass. The strings not lining up is not a problem and actually one can do scrapes easier on bass with the ebow then on guitar due to wider string spacing. Ebow is nice effect when used occassionally and also for kinda synth pad like sounds from bass guitar.
 
#30
maguire said:
Hey - I modified my EBow so it rests on the bass strings nicely. I basically just removed the outer guides by sanding them down.
Click to expand...

Hi Maguire,

Sounds like an interesting improvement. Could you please post a pic of the profile of your EBow. Just so you can see how far you've sanded down.
Does the EBow easier get closer to the strings after you've sanded down the sides?

Cheers,
Karl
 
#34
I'm interested in the Ebow but I'd like to try before buying. My band plays a tune, (Copperhead Road), where we need to sustain a low D on a the 5th string of a 5 string bass for about the first minute of the song. What I usually do is start the note with a soft pluck and sustain it by hammering on the bass with the bottom of a closed fist while muting the other strings. Try this on different parts of the bass. Depending on the construction of your bass there are optimal areas for hammering. I have a neck-thru and hammering on the lower bout near the bridge pickup on the bass side seems to have a nice subtle effect. Several light hits will excite the string and keep it ringing. Hammering rhythmically usually does the trick. Also there's a delicate balance between your volume knob and the amount of exertion while hammering. For louder volume, gradually hammer harder and the note will swell. It's not perfect but not bad. As with any technique it takes a bit of practice, but so does an EBow.
 
#36
AndrewShirley said:
When a song calls for a long sustaining/growing bass tone I can often fill in by tapping on a string as close to the bridge as I can. It requires a very light touch so you don't hear the tapping, just the bassy goodness. Usually I'll do a double tab with my index/middle finger in a flam type tap. It quite effective.

- Andrew
Click to expand...

Yes indeed. That's an excellent technique to get that sound. I'll also use a short and rapid rubbing motion with my thumb using just a hint of nail if I'm using roundwounds. Done right up by the bridge saddles and it'll give you a bit of that bowed vibe as well. Does a number on your thumb if you're not careful too!:laugh:

I've used the EBow with what I'd consider some of success on bass. It definitely takes practice to make it work the way you want. And it's true a quick hammer on just before you ebow a string is often needed to get the ball rolling. (And I still think it's better gadget overall for guitar.) But it does work if you work at it. And as others have mentioned, once you get the feel for it, it can give you some very nice additional capabilities and tones to work with.

(Note: the EBow and a piccolo strung bass are a marriage made in heaven.)

The only way to know for sure if it'll work for you is to give it a go.
 
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#37
I've been very interested in getting one of these for a while. I often use the "volume pedal" method for producing swells, which works when you're moving around - but when you want to stay on the same note for a while or move up & down I believe this would be better.

My question is, the ebow site seems to list the "ebow" and the "ebow plus". Does anyone have any idea which of the two variants would work better on a fretted bass (I use a 5 string).

Thanks!

----
Richie P - Northampton UK
 
#38
It's a little tough to get the sound started, you need to be very close to the string with the risk of touching it and creating unwanted noise. But it can evidently be done (not very well by me yet) as some great players have shown.

My first encounter with it, just after buying it (and later in the video a whole bunch of effects, so maybe not too easy to isolate what the eBow does).

 
#39
Uprising said:
I've been very interested in getting one of these for a while. I often use the "volume pedal" method for producing swells, which works when you're moving around - but when you want to stay on the same note for a while or move up & down I believe this would be better.

My question is, the ebow site seems to list the "ebow" and the "ebow plus". Does anyone have any idea which of the two variants would work better on a fretted bass (I use a 5 string).

Thanks!

----
Richie P - Northampton UK
Click to expand...

The plus model gives you an additional "harmonic" mode. There's more potential tonal flexibility for having it. But either version would work for a bass. It's really just your personal preference.

I have the older model, and don't feel any compelling need to upgrade to the plus version. But that's me.
 

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