Ebow - moving across strings?

[davesisk]

Hey Michael and Steve (and anyone else):

I recently picked up an Ebow and have been experimenting with it a bit. I actually used it in church on a song last week, so learning to actually use it is coming along fairly well. Here's a quick sample that I recorded just to make sure it mostly sounded pretty good (the harmonies I added might be a little questionable, but it was just some experimentation anyway ):

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The most difficult part seems to be moving from one string to another on a bass. Any advice on how to best accomplish this smoothly?

TIA!
Dave

 

[beyondhairy]

how do ebows work? i mean, do u pick a string and then put it on or just put it ontop of the string and it does all the work

i always wanted one but wasnt too sure how one would work on bass, wich model do u have?

 

[Burg]

how do ebows work? i always wanted one but wasnt too sure how one would work on bass

You can use it in two main ways. Either play a note and then move the ebow toward the string to sustain that note or you can use the ebow itself to 'activate' a note without plucking just by holdin it near the string.

Basically, an ebow is an elecromagnet that provides a feedback loop between pickup and ebow. Much in the same way as standing too close to your amp, but much more controlled.


I think, ha.

 

[Dr Steve Lawson]

While you can use the Ebow over the pickup to actually interfere with it, the basic operation is just a matter of the Ebow pulling the string via its electro-magnet. It pulls it so far, then the tension in the string and the pull of the magnet reach maximum tragectory and the string twangs back.

You can use the Ebow on completely acoustic instruments, so long as you've got metal strings - it's just not very loud.

steve

 

[superbassman2000]

The most difficult part seems to be moving from one string to another on a bass. Any advice on how to best accomplish this smoothly?

while i don't have the expertise of steve or michael, i could suggest you get the string moving a little bit ahead of time...try tapping it with your fretting hand just enough to get it vibrating or try a little pluck right before putting the ebow before it...to me, it's kinda like playing the tam-tam...you need to hit them softly before the music says to hit it, so the crash is right on the note, note a long resounding crash where the peak volume is a little bit after the note

 

[Dr Steve Lawson]

A volume pedal is really useful for getting the note started before fading it in, I use that technique all time time.

Steve
www.stevelawson.net

 

[davesisk]

As I understand, the Ebow is essentially an electro-magnetic hooked to an oscillator circuit...the circuit switches the polarity back and forth, I would think...or maybe just shuts the electromagnet off and on? Doesn't matter, you get the gist of it.

So, using a volume pedal is a good idea. I was more after how to more quickly start a note on a different string rather than how to delay starting the note (I seem to have that mastered already ) Tapping the string to get the note started is a good idea.

The hard part to me is getting it positioned right to start a note after I've moved to a different string. So, if there's no "tricks" you guys have to help with this, I guess it's just a matter of practice. I'll just do some practicing with scales and see how that works out, I suppose.

Dave

 

[didier]

A tap or hammer on the note will help get it started. It really is just practice to get the attack you want. I find it pretty hard (/impossible?) to get an .080 A or heavier started on time on a decent swell without a noticiblle attack unless I use a volume pedal.

Also, really work to find the best location for the ebow. Even though it might overdrive in a spot if you hold it there, that can be the best spot to get it started, and then move back to a sweeter sustain spot. I find those locations move as I fret higher up the neck. Even though there is alot to be said for staying close to the neck pickup, think about harmonic points on the string, too.

Finally, I feel like introducing a little vibrato with my left hand can assist the bow, but this may be more my imagination. It can also kill the attack and sustain if you over do it. It will tend to make it look like you're doing something fancy, though

I think it really is alot about practice/experience, etc., and even the particular bass will have it's own personality and quirks when interacting with you and the ebow.

Fun though, huh?

 

[Derek the Cello]

You can use the Ebow on completely acoustic instruments, so long as you've got metal strings - it's just not very loud.

I've never been able to get this to work, even with steel strings.

 

[superbassman2000]

I've never been able to get this to work, even with steel strings.

i was able to do it on my girlfriend's acoustic guitar...maybe it was just your guitar?

 

[Dr Steve Lawson]

Hi Derek,

I've made it work on my Cello. It's unuseably quiet, but it works.

Steve
www.stevelawson.net

 

[Alun]

I've got decent volume results from a steel string acoustic guitar and the tone was really nice.

Regarding getting heavier strings into life, I sometimes mute the string and hold the Ebow almost onto the string until I feel the string starting to move, then release the mute. YOU can get some nice flutey sounds by doing this with melodies (eg lay your fingers flat over the string and press down and then release each note).

String crossing is tricky on bass (I'm intensely jealous of the sweepy arpeggios the guitarist plays on the demo cassette!) but is really a matter of practice and muting the strings either side of your target as you inevitably catch them.

This is a short improv I did last year which hops back and fore between the open E and runs on the G string. You can hear a couple of clunks where I caught the strings inbetween:

http://www.alunvaughan.com/hopesandfears.mp3

Cheers,
Alun

 

[Derek the Cello]

Thanks to everyone that replied. I'll have to try it again.

 

[davesisk]

Nicely done, Alun...was that a fretted or fretless bass?

Dave

 

[oversoul]

thing is, the ebow was not designed with the string spacing of a bass in mind, they really should make a model without those rails that are meant to sit on 2 guitar strings

 

[Alun]

Nicely done, Alun...was that a fretted or fretless bass?

Dave

Thanks Dave, it was fretted - a Cort Curbow 6 string.

Cheers,
Alun

 

[Dr Steve Lawson]

thing is, the ebow was not designed with the string spacing of a bass in mind, they really should make a model without those rails that are meant to sit on 2 guitar strings

A couple of people I've heard of have cut the rails off the Ebow.

I use them all the time, so wouldn't want the Ebow without them. It works just fine as it is for bass.

Steve
www.stevelawson.net

 

[bbocaner]

I've used it on my (acoustic) piano. I had to hold it there a long time and get the positioning just right, but it eventually got REALLY loud.

I like the sound sample -- the harmonies sound like bagpipe drones.

 

[davesisk]

Cool deal. I've just been doing the obvious...practicing simple scales with it, cutting each note off and letting the following note swell. This ought to help me accomplish the precision necessary to move across strings, I'd think.

Dave

 

[Michael Manring]

Cool Ebow-ing, guys! I’d say the real trick to mastering the Ebow is sensitivity. Every way you move the Ebow -- vertically, horizontally, the tilt, how close it is to the string, etc. -- will have an impact on the sound. Try to get a feel for how its activating the string and it will eventually become second nature. Good luck!