Ebow

[kesslari]

This thread has been very helpful. I was given an Ebow a few years ago, tried it a few times, and never really got it going.
Reading this thread, I decided to try playing with a little delay, and I noticed some things about positioning and alignment that I hadn't gotten before.
Tonight the Ebow started to sing. Just the beginning, really, but definitely a beginning. I now hear something I can work with, rather than something to work at (but that I wasn't getting it).

 

[gregmon79]

I too have been getting the hang of mine slowly but surely. I can see where this thing can be utilized in different ways in a lot of different little spots all over my bands music. So much fun!!

 

[Oneirogenic]

A little something to try for you guys working on ebow technique: hammering notes with your left hand on a string the ebow isn't sustaining. A technique i use quite a bit that opens up more possible uses for the ebow. I have also with some difficulty been able to position the ebow in such a way over the neck that i can pluck lower notes with my thumb while sustaining notes on the D or G string.

 

[kesslari]

Is this just me?
Some times I put the ebow into position and the bass starts singing. Sometimes, I do what I *think* is the same thing, and the string just doesn't "go". This has happened a few times lately. Once, I was having a really easy time with the ebow, then put it above a pickup to play with that particular sound. After that - I just couldn't get it going again. So I put it down for a few hours, came back and - whoooooom.... there it was.

I'd love some input on if anyone else has encountered this.

 

[gregmon79]

I honestly think it's all about technique. You have to get right at the same angle every time. You have to be consistent with it. If you're a centimeter away from where you want to be to "sing", it doesn't sing.


Killing gods

 

[Hues]

A favorite ebow/bass clip.

 

[kesslari]

So based on the huge difference between "when it worked" and "when it didn't" with my Gen 2 ebow, I decided to buy a new one and see what happened.
"mmmwhammmm!" every time now. My old ebow needed to be put out to pasture.
It's now something I can work with, and work on. Hopefully I'll have a composition soon.
<evil laugh>

 

[Biggbass]

There is some nice Ebow work in this video at 2:50 in.
but the entire vid is a good watch.

 

[bassmusic17]

Digitech BP200 has a really awesome strings effect. I wish they would just release it as a single pedal instead of cramming it in with a bunch of other mediocre effects. It was one of the very few effects I liked on that thing.

I wonder if any other pedal makers make anything like it.

 

[Wizmoon]

i developed this one ,think more usefull then a ebow.

 

[Zanzibar Delgado]

Michael Manring's old instructional video (Star Licks?) has a really valuable couple minutes on ebow use. You can find it on Youtube; I think it is within the first twenty minutes or so.

His basic idea is to anchor the ebow on the edge of the fingerboard (when playing on the highest string) and rock it towards your body until you hit the sweet spot. Lighter gauge strings help as well.