It's not just that your videos are super informative, you also explain stuff in a very calming manner. You're one of those few TH-camrs that I equally enjoy talking and playing.
If someone hasn't already mentioned it, some great sounds can also be achieved by using a slide with the Ebow. Also, when used with a pedal which can create any organ type sound(Boss Mo-2, EHX POG2, etc.), it is possible to get synth organ type sounds. It is also possible to get interesting sounds when using both of these together!
I finally picked up an ebow today. I've wanted one for years and finally pulled the trigger and bought one. Your video was a great kickstart on how to use it. Thank you very much for the help!
Thank you. You are a great teacher. I am testing the ebow mostly on bass guitars, fretted and fretless, but I am going to try it on the baritone guitar too. You taught me what I was looking for.
@@brubakersflatcakes9755 I've recently seen Kilbey say that it is also a Synclavier with backwards african bagpipes (so at least PART of that solo is fake bagpipes) - but he also confirms that Ebow is mixed in. Wikipedia gives a slightly different account saying it's sampled Ebow. You can also hear a little later after that another guitar line/solo that is Ebow by itself. I recently went on a listen through their catalogue and it's actually really prominently used throughout all their albums.
Right.....so I stumbled across this because I was trying to find out what the ebow does.....buddy....this is quite possibly the most informative video I've ever seen, on anything in the history of the universe, of all time. Hahaha I'm buying one because of you!!
Mine really helped me fully understand scales, as playing on one string up and down the neck, makes the intervals very clear. I don't use mine flat, I tilt it so just one rail is on the string, then I can adjust the angle for fine volume control. I use mine to create otherworldly chord drones by recording and layering individual notes from whatever chord I'm using. Its a beautiful noise... Ebowing the bottom E can be tricky at first as the string tends to vibrate an octave above the one you want, I very gently palm mute the string and it drops back. I love my Ebow, it is so expressive, I get mine to sound very like a human voice by bowing in notes and using a back and forth vibrato( like a violinist) it sounds like a theramin or a warbling operatic diva. Lastly I use mine with the whammy bar and tremolo pedal to create indescribable queasy sci fi sounds. Add a phaser or flanger and im orbiting some distant planet. Cheers Bill.
UK band Big Country features ebow on many of their songs: The Storm, Lost Patrol, All Fall Together etc. Check them out to hear some great ebow sounds.
mike smith - sorry, I can't directly reply to your comment (you may want to check your Google+ settings), so I hope you come back and see this. Anyway, Any of the usual string gauges will work with the EBow. I've used lights, mediums and even electric baritone (16-68!) successfully.
I remember the first time I saw an eBow was in guitar player magazine in 1976. I was 16, but only had an acoustic Takamine 12 string. The first ones were all chrome or that chrome plastic material. It was $99 the same as today but $99 in 1976 was like $500 or more today. I finally bought one after 43 years now that I have a couple strats and Les Pauls. I’m gonna try it on my bass later.
hi Bill, really excellent tutorial. I've been experimenting with my Ebow too recently, trying to learn (if you remember the Lorem Ipsum track) but that was just on a single string. Been having trouble switching from string to string but the 'arpeggio' technique you just showed appears to be working miracles at the moment. Great idea!
Nausherwan Saleem Awesome!! It definitely takes some practice to switch strings while playing. I used the EBow for many years without learning the technique. I wish I had started earlier!!
Great tutorial Bill, thanks. I'm thinking of getting one to try to get long drones in another way. I've seen you put the drone down on a short loop, then add layers and that's a technique I'm working on now. So maybe the ebow will help with that.....thanks again!
Hey this is awesome, thanks! I just bought one a few days ago for a big recording session coming up next weekend. I will try your suggestions. Thanks for breaking it down.
Chords Of Orion just got it today and I love it! I prefer a more treble heavy sound with the bridge pickup like the sound used on many of the songs on Opeth's Blackwater Park.
Thank you very much Mr Phil Keaggy ! , discover first time the E bow on your channel , wonderful ! In fact i was recently in quest about tools to do uncommon sounds with an electric guitar, (i try wood , bamboo, metal, copper , etc ... violin bow ) . Ordered a Ebow plus today , will be nice guitar companion with my synthesizers ;-) Cheers from Paris !
Excellent! And just to clarify, I am NOT Phil Keaggy! Bill Vencil here... But Phil is one of the best EBow players in the world (which is why I reference him).
i just picked one of these up after you reminded me of them, I first used one in 1990 ( when i was a child of course ;0) they were expensive back then so i didn't buy one. thanks for the tutorial
Great demo. Great tips. I love the ebow. Huge fan of big country. Wanted one for over twenty years. Just can't justify the pain of spending a hundred on a magnet :) And they rarely show up used, at least not that I've noticed. I'll get one eventually
After a lifetime (I'm 62) of hard rock and prog, I decided to add a bit of serenity to my palate. Your videos have been an ambient guitar primmer, thank you. I've had the EBow for over a year; thought of it as a novelty until recently. Now, as you say, I can't put it down. I've experimented with combining the EBow and a glass slide as well. Intonation is especially critical, but it's interesting enough to pursue further. I suspect it will tighten up my slide playing if nothing else. A couple of questions if you don't mind: Do you have certain scales you gravitate to? Do you use keyboard or guitar synth for any of your sounds? I've had fun playing w/the dual delays/volume pedal, etc. Hope you continue to add to the lesson library, it's appreciated. Thanks again, peace.
+supernash It's great that you are adding some ambient playing to your arsenal! I found that prog and space/ambient playing were a natural match that worked really well together. As far as scales go, I am not a super scale focused player, but I do make use of different modes in my playing. Probably as or more important to me are intervals. I tend to think of creating melodies by using differing sets of intervals, such as perfect fifths. As a result, a lot of my melodies can have fairly wide intervals. while not so good for ripping off a really fast line, larger intervalic melodies work really well with ambient chords. I have owned and used several guitar synths in the past, including the Roland GR-300. I even had one of the original ARP Avatars. At present, I don't use a guitar synth, and use soft synths sparingly, usually to create or bolster a drone part. Definitely will keep the content coming. It's been a lot of fun to share, and it's forced me to stay focused and moving forward musically. Thanks for commenting!!
David Elliott Wow. I was going to buy one but now I don't know if I'll bother. That's about $90 too much for the electronics that are inside it. Coils and an oscillator. That $100 will go a long way toward a new guitar. It is rather cool though. Maybe later.
I had an original silver one too. Do you have the leather holster? If so, I am jealous. Mine was stolen long ago when someone broke and raided the our band's equipment. I believe they just come in the dark grey color now, and the circuit is slightly different from the original.
Chords Of Orion Aah, the holster. Sadly no 😔 .....think it was a ‘cost’ option...A friend of mine had one and he used to attach it to his guitar strap (loop on the back).......Didn’t know they’d changed the circuit....I’m assuming that would be for the ‘harmonic’ function ? ......I know my chrome one does not have the on/off switch and is only ‘activated’ by proximity.....It has a red L.E.D rather than the blue on the current ones....
Handy, thanks. There definitely IS an art to using it, I've had mine for a few months and have only really used it about 7 or 8 times. The more I use it the better the sounds I make with it. My only concern / gripe with it is that for £100 it doesn't feel very rugged. I think that for the rather expensive price the makers should really have made it with a metal housing instead of the cheap plastic feel they have. They ought to have been made like foot pedals are, in my opinion. I'm quite a careful person with my stuff but I think that if you're a bit clumsy or heavy handed then I doubt it would last very long.
Yes, I have heard others mention the plastic case. I can say that my current (number 3) EBow is 15 years old, and I have dropped more than once. No problems so far. But I have thought about buying a backup. As far as the art goes, keep at it. I've been playing an EBow since 1979 or so, and it took me a long time to feel comfortable with string switching. As a matter of fact, when I started Chords of Orion in 2013, I had gotten kind of rusty and had to do some remedial practicing with it to get the fluidity back.
10:55 Merci beaucoup! C'est magnifique, et voilà a tutorial in which you demonstrate clearly how to use it. Not like @nailguitar... Thanks a lot! And thanks again for your psyche melodic ending!
+Jared Dyck I didn't say why, did I? The reason I flipped the EBow around was so I could get the Ebow over the pole pieces of the bridge pickup to get a stronger signal, similar to the way I describe moving the EBow over the neck pickup. Let me know if this helps clarify. Thanks for commenting!!!
I had the black red logo Ebow for about 28 years and it finally gave out on me. I purchased the new Ebow plus and don't like it as well as my first one because it's not as smooth sounding.I heard the new ones have supposedly a little stronger signal-if that's true maybe that's why the new one I have is not as smooth sounding as my old one??
Hard for me to say, as my old EBow got stolen long ago. I have also heard that the new units have a stronger signal, so maybe its just a matter of adjusting.
Bought an Ebow after watching your recent Zelzah video. I’m still getting the hang of it, but I wonder why the manufacturer hasn’t added felt (or something similar) in the string rails to prevent the brittle string-contact sound the Ebow makes when it touches the strings. Aren’t the rails there to rest on the strings? Thanks!
The rails are indeed there to rest on the strings adjacent to the one you are playing. But having felt in the rails would make it very difficult to switch strings. If you keep up with the practice, you will find string switching gets easier and cleaner over time.
Thanks for this tutorial. I picked up an E-Bow about a month ago (bargain on ebay for $65-used). It took some getting used to, but this video helped a lot. Also, picked up the Little Alligator, and haven't touched the Ernie Ball VP since. Thanks again.
Good morning Bill. Thanks for this video. Thanks for the entire eBow playlist. Now THIS little gizmo is totally amazing and I can actually afford it. The really cool thing about the eBow, is that it can be used with acoustic as well as electric guitars. While I will eventually buy some ambient guitar gear (compressor, volume pedal, etc), I do believe that the eBow will be my first official ambient guitar gear purchase! In fact, your videos gave me an idea for an experiment. I'm curious as to how using the eBow with my acoustic guitar during a springtime busking session in my neck of the woods (St Louis) will be accepted by the general public. Ambient guitar music is light years away from your average busker banging on his guitar and singing his fool head off. It's just so different that people might just stop and listen if for no other reason than curiosity. By the way, would the eBow work on a 12-string guitar as well as a 6-string?
The EBow is quite tricky on acoustic guitar as there is typically no magnetic pickup to help generate a stronger magnetic to drive the string. I am not saying it won't work: I use it on acoustic on one of my vids. Just be aware of it. And as far as 12-strings go, I think it is pretty unusable due to the string pair.
Thanks. Great tutorial. I would like to figure out a way to make a mellow, bowed stand up bass sound, like on Miles Davis's 'In a silent way'. Any helpful tips. Again, many thanks. Budd
If you are thinking using a standard or baritone guitar, I would suggest using a pitch shifter to get the octave below, and then use a looper to record the note you want to drone, making a simple loop. Here's an example that I did recently using a baritone guitar. I did have the higher octave added in, but just imagine it not there: th-cam.com/video/jy4wnUvARic/w-d-xo.html
Gosh - I don't remember why I did black and white. There must have been something wrong with the color balance. In any case, here's my latest "in color" EBow tutorial: th-cam.com/video/VmugDwAKZ-o/w-d-xo.html&t
Thanks for the reviews of the ebow as well as the AEON by tc - electronics. I first ordered the AEON because I had heard of the bad build quality of the ebow. The AEON has a very nice design and a great build quality. Yet it works less fast in generating the feedback, seems to have a weaker magentic field and because of its deeper "rails" string skipping is less easy to do. So I sent the AEON back and got me an ebow plus. It works much better, yet the build quality of such an expensive little device is a desaster. How much is the switch, 3 or 5 Cents? A lot of customers have commented in that, yet HEET seems to be deaf on this issue. This is real poor behavior in terms of quality development and it is just sad, that TC electronics did not take the opportunity to beat the ebow on all levels.
...Sorry if this is a 'Stupid' question,But If you are playing directly into an Audio Interface,with something like MidiGuitar app with VST Synths,Would that 'pick up' the Ebows effect,Or not?
+Matt Bowen Heet used to make an Ebow specifically for bass, but no longer. the current EBow can work with bass, however, it is a little more "touchy".
I agree that the EBow is not the greatest for a full-size bass. In fact, Heet Sound used to make a Bass EBow way back in the day. While I don't have a Fender Bass VI, I do have an Ibanez SRC6 that is the same scale length and uses Bass VI strings. The EBow works pretty well on it. Here is one of my vids with it: th-cam.com/video/aGDRHHzuRis/w-d-xo.html
I've never used an EBow, but from your demo it seems like adding a pick or brush on the bottom of it to actuate the string(s) might be useful. How well do they work on acoustic guitars?
Some folks use an EBow on acoustic, but I find it really difficult to do so. For me, using the EBow in proximity to the guitar pickup is what really drives the string and you don't get that with an acoustic.
+Stephon Wasio I've used the E-Bow on a Strat a good bit in the past and it works really well. For me, the same basic principle of EBow placement applies - place the EBow on the string positioned over the bridge pickup so you can take advantage of the pickup driving the EBow. Also, I also would still turn down the tone control to mellow out the tone.
I see you're holding a tele in the beginning, but for the demo you're using the Carvin. I have a Jackson Soloist with a single coil in the neck. Does it respond to a single as well as a humbucker?
The Blackface modeller sounds rich and full, very impressive. Makes recording easily accessible. What is it ? Is it hardware and software or is it just a plug in to install in Logic ? Good news...Saves lugging around old valve amps ! cheers
It's hardware. I use the Avid Eleven Rack modelling unit. Had it for a number of years. I particularly like the Fender models on that unit. That being said, I sometimes use the Amp Designer in Logic, which can provide surprisingly good results.
Thankyou for your advice...Does this mean I could plug an electrified acoustic into amp designer as if it were a pre amp, select a blackface or tweed amp or appropriate amp, and add a bit of compression, reverb using the available logic plug ins ?
You could. In fact Apple's Mainstage product for live performance works that way with the same Amp Designer effect. The big thing is that you need an audio interface that allows you to set the buffer size very low so there is not much latency.
Thanks Bill, Much appreciated. I have Logic Pro x 10.3. I'll have to look into main stage 3 for live performance. With recording , i'll try out Amp Designer. Thankyou for your kindness, support, and beautiful music. cheers
Are you slighting tilting the EBow as I suggest in the video? It really makes a big difference. Also, remember to hold the EBow over the pickup for a stronger signal, which can help. Finally, be sure to use a light pressure on the strings. If you push down on the EBow too strongly, it won't "glide" very well.
Heroes sure sounds like an EBow, however the lead was played by Robert Fripp who does not use an EBow. Here's an article about how he recorded the lead: originalfuzz.com/blogs/fuzz/84621252-how-robert-fripp-recorded-the-guitar-line-on-david-bowies-heroes. I know that Radiohead uses and EBow, so it's very possible that High and Dry features it.
WOW, Thanks for your reply. Incredible creation never to be duplicated. I think I'm going to try an e bow to see if I can make a reasonable reproduction for fun.
Some people use the EBow with acoustic guitar, but I personally have not gotten acceptable results. This is because there is no humbucker or single coil pickup to help drive the string vibration. But if you have an EBow, certainly give it a try and see how it works for you.
Fair critique. This is a 5 year old video, and TBH I don't remember why I rendered it in B&W, however, it is safe to say that I messed some things up when shooting the vid.
Nice damn kiesel should bring that shit back idk if theh have it bow but I doubt it. Only carvins they did was Jason Becker and they changed that to Kiesel now except for 1. I kinda thought the body reminded of a carvin too. I like the look of that think though , one hell of a guitar.
It's not just that your videos are super informative, you also explain stuff in a very calming manner. You're one of those few TH-camrs that I equally enjoy talking and playing.
Thanks very much!
If someone hasn't already mentioned it, some great sounds can also be achieved by using a slide with the Ebow.
Also, when used with a pedal which can create any organ type sound(Boss Mo-2, EHX POG2, etc.), it is possible to get synth organ type sounds.
It is also possible to get interesting sounds when using both of these together!
+UltimateNeoHunter Excellent tips!!!
Built my self a cigarbox like guitar for slide, so I m gonna try to play with the e bow I think
Can you play some examples on TH-cam for us? Would greatly appreciate!
I finally picked up an ebow today. I've wanted one for years and finally pulled the trigger and bought one. Your video was a great kickstart on how to use it. Thank you very much for the help!
So glad the vid was helpful!
Thank you. You are a great teacher. I am testing the ebow mostly on bass guitars, fretted and fretless, but I am going to try it on the baritone guitar too. You taught me what I was looking for.
Glad it was useful!!
Best elbow tutorial ever. Thx Bill!!!!
I've had one of these for years and used it as a novelty. Now that you've turned me toward ambient I'm looking forward to digging back into the Ebow.
The australian band The Church use ebows throughout their recordings - the "bagpipe" solo in Under the Milky Way is actually an ebow solo.
@@zoeherriot I did not know that. Love that song.
@@brubakersflatcakes9755 I've recently seen Kilbey say that it is also a Synclavier with backwards african bagpipes (so at least PART of that solo is fake bagpipes) - but he also confirms that Ebow is mixed in. Wikipedia gives a slightly different account saying it's sampled Ebow.
You can also hear a little later after that another guitar line/solo that is Ebow by itself. I recently went on a listen through their catalogue and it's actually really prominently used throughout all their albums.
Right.....so I stumbled across this because I was trying to find out what the ebow does.....buddy....this is quite possibly the most informative video I've ever seen, on anything in the history of the universe, of all time. Hahaha I'm buying one because of you!!
Ha! Glad it was helpful!
Mine really helped me fully understand scales, as playing on one string up and down the neck, makes the intervals very clear.
I don't use mine flat, I tilt it so just one rail is on the string, then I can adjust the angle for fine volume control.
I use mine to create otherworldly chord drones by recording and layering individual notes from whatever chord I'm using. Its a beautiful noise...
Ebowing the bottom E can be tricky at first as the string tends to vibrate an octave above the one you want, I very gently palm mute the string and it drops back.
I love my Ebow, it is so expressive, I get mine to sound very like a human voice by bowing in notes and using a back and forth vibrato( like a violinist) it sounds like a theramin or a warbling operatic diva.
Lastly I use mine with the whammy bar and tremolo pedal to create indescribable queasy sci fi sounds. Add a phaser or flanger and im orbiting some distant planet.
Cheers Bill.
Thanks for this! 👌🙏 Found nowhere else a demonstration of warm clean tones with an ebow. Sounds amazing
Glad it was helpful! Thanks!
Man, your voice is as inspiring as your playing, thanks, namaste.
Thanks very much!!!
I'm a bass player but I've learned good things with your video and going to try them on bass, thanks again!
Mac Hernández EBow on bass can be really cool!
For real. I binge watch when I'm down. Chords of Orion is like the Bob Ross of ambient guitar. "Lets add a few more happy little volume swells."
Good to see love and recognition for Keaggy
He's pretty amazing for sure!
Hi Bill. Thanks for an excellent demo and instruction. I thought there was a problem with mine, but it turns out the problem is with the user instead!
Brilliant demo!
UK band Big Country features ebow on many of their songs: The Storm, Lost Patrol, All Fall Together etc. Check them out to hear some great ebow sounds.
Big Country rules! Are they still around?
Stuart Adamson of The Skids and Big Country was such a great guitarist and songwriter. Rest In Peace Stuart. You are greatly missed.
mike smith - sorry, I can't directly reply to your comment (you may want to check your Google+ settings), so I hope you come back and see this. Anyway, Any of the usual string gauges will work with the EBow. I've used lights, mediums and even electric baritone (16-68!) successfully.
+Chords Of Orion Just got my Ebow. Thanks for the tips. This will help my technique in reducing my string buzz.
Congrats on getting the EBow! You're gonna love it. And thanks for letting me know you got some value out of the video!!!!
+Stephen Adams Good start!
What a gorgeous sounding (and looking) guitar, even without the ebow.
+Clarke M Thanks! I love my Carvin Fatboy as much now as when I got it back in 2004!
I remember the first time I saw an eBow was in guitar player magazine in 1976. I was 16, but only had an acoustic Takamine 12 string. The first ones were all chrome or that chrome plastic material. It was $99 the same as today but $99 in 1976 was like $500 or more today. I finally bought one after 43 years now that I have a couple strats and Les Pauls. I’m gonna try it on my bass later.
hi Bill, really excellent tutorial. I've been experimenting with my Ebow too recently, trying to learn (if you remember the Lorem Ipsum track) but that was just on a single string.
Been having trouble switching from string to string but the 'arpeggio' technique you just showed appears to be working miracles at the moment.
Great idea!
Nausherwan Saleem Awesome!! It definitely takes some practice to switch strings while playing. I used the EBow for many years without learning the technique. I wish I had started earlier!!
I can't believe I've had an EBow for years (and I love it) but I've never tried pushing it down into the string. That's a great idea.
Oh yeah - you have to try it!
Great tutorial Bill, thanks. I'm thinking of getting one to try to get long drones in another way. I've seen you put the drone down on a short loop, then add layers and that's a technique I'm working on now. So maybe the ebow will help with that.....thanks again!
Hey Bill - I would suggest practicing add layers without the EBow too. It's a good exercise for sure.
Thanks for the demo. Just got one - it's relaxing to play. I lose track of time.
ok that is the coolest gadget ive seen! you can be sure i want to get one myself! ill post a video when i get it
Just bought an Ebow. Thank you! 😎
I've been using an Ebow for years myself.
Awesome!!
this is a great tutorial. more in depth, than I was expecting. thanks
+jr frumz Glad you you found it useful!!
lovely terrific effects unit.have 2 of them the e bow plus.loved it.
Excellent! I am going to buy one or 2 more in 2017, as my current EBow is showing its age.
Bill Nelson's also excellent with the ebow
Just as I was wondering how your spycam was working out Bill. . . .
Got mine today, thanks as ever.
Hey this is awesome, thanks! I just bought one a few days ago for a big recording session coming up next weekend. I will try your suggestions. Thanks for breaking it down.
Great to hear you bought an EBow. If you have any further questions, let me know!
Just ordered one, getting it on Friday! I can't wait
Excellent!!
Chords Of Orion just got it today and I love it! I prefer a more treble heavy sound with the bridge pickup like the sound used on many of the songs on Opeth's Blackwater Park.
Wonderful tutorial, everything is quite clear ! One thousand thanks, my friend !
Thank you very much Mr Phil Keaggy ! , discover first time the E bow on your channel , wonderful ! In fact i was recently in quest about tools to do uncommon sounds with an electric guitar, (i try wood , bamboo, metal, copper , etc ... violin bow ) . Ordered a Ebow plus today , will be nice guitar companion with my synthesizers ;-)
Cheers from Paris !
Excellent! And just to clarify, I am NOT Phil Keaggy! Bill Vencil here... But Phil is one of the best EBow players in the world (which is why I reference him).
Thanks Bill ! Sorry , now i know a little more about EBow's world ;-) In each case, your music is beautiful !
Cheers .
So glad they invented color video in 2016.
VampyrumFerox really? and just who invited it since you’re so smart
r/woooosh
@@UnixStudios most of the time if someone tries to shame someone else on their stupidity its usually themselfs that are the idiot
VampyrumFerox I thought my screen LED is broken
B&W photography tells you the stark truth about light. Color photography is a total abstraction, saying little about how we naturally perceive color.
Touching the string with the bow sounded great actually
i just picked one of these up after you reminded me of them, I first used one in 1990 ( when i was a child of course ;0) they were expensive back then so i didn't buy one. thanks for the tutorial
Great video man! Definitely showed the versatility of the Ebow
So glad you liked the video. Thanks for letting me know. And, for me, the EBow just keeps getting better and better. Love that thing!!
Great video, some great tips and suggestion, just purchased one of these. Thanks
Alright!!!
Please make a glitchy arpeggio sound like @ 8:44 for you Helix preset pack, it sounds awesome!
Another fabulous tutorial. Many thanks!
And thanks for the kind comment!!
Great demo. Great tips. I love the ebow. Huge fan of big country. Wanted one for over twenty years. Just can't justify the pain of spending a hundred on a magnet :) And they rarely show up used, at least not that I've noticed. I'll get one eventually
Very well done - thanks!
Great job---fantastic demo!!
Thanks!
Very cool little device! Thanks for the video!
Greenjah81 Glad you found some value in the vid. The EBow is definitely cool and I am totally addicted... Thanks so much for commenting!!!
Chords Of Orion I compose and do sound design. This is a very cool tool for with her purpose. Thanks to you.
Wanted an eBow, local guitar shop never ordered it. Well, internet. Cheers for the tutorial :D
Im looking for a practical way to quickly alternate between picking and bowing.
Great sound, amazing explanation, thanks man for those awesome tutorials :D
And thanks so much for letting me know you like the vids!!
The E-Bow is a nifty device! I think one day I just might get one
Definitely worth trying out. It's a big part of my sound...
After a lifetime (I'm 62) of hard rock and prog, I decided to add a bit of serenity to my palate. Your videos have been an ambient guitar primmer, thank you. I've had the EBow for over a year; thought of it as a novelty until recently. Now, as you say, I can't put it down. I've experimented with combining the EBow and a glass slide as well. Intonation is especially critical, but it's interesting enough to pursue further. I suspect it will tighten up my slide playing if nothing else.
A couple of questions if you don't mind: Do you have certain scales you gravitate to? Do you use keyboard or guitar synth for any of your sounds?
I've had fun playing w/the dual delays/volume pedal, etc. Hope you continue to add to the lesson library, it's appreciated. Thanks again, peace.
+supernash It's great that you are adding some ambient playing to your arsenal! I found that prog and space/ambient playing were a natural match that worked really well together.
As far as scales go, I am not a super scale focused player, but I do make use of different modes in my playing. Probably as or more important to me are intervals. I tend to think of creating melodies by using differing sets of intervals, such as perfect fifths. As a result, a lot of my melodies can have fairly wide intervals. while not so good for ripping off a really fast line, larger intervalic melodies work really well with ambient chords.
I have owned and used several guitar synths in the past, including the Roland GR-300. I even had one of the original ARP Avatars. At present, I don't use a guitar synth, and use soft synths sparingly, usually to create or bolster a drone part.
Definitely will keep the content coming. It's been a lot of fun to share, and it's forced me to stay focused and moving forward musically. Thanks for commenting!!
Sounds great! Would love to use it for 'violin' swells!
+Dawid Popiela Yes indeed!!
great tutorial. its worth $100 price tag
David Elliott Wow. I was going to buy one but now I don't know if I'll bother. That's about $90 too much for the electronics that are inside it. Coils and an oscillator.
That $100 will go a long way toward a new guitar. It is rather cool though. Maybe later.
Excellent just what i was looking for, 2 days to get my first E-bow =)
Cool!!
Nightwish, Troy Donockley's magical device "While Your Lips Are Still Red (Live at Wembley Arena)"
brought me here
Good demo. Thanks.
Got mine in the early 80s. ...love it ! ( it’s chrome finish) ....Think they’re just black or grey now ?
I had an original silver one too. Do you have the leather holster? If so, I am jealous. Mine was stolen long ago when someone broke and raided the our band's equipment. I believe they just come in the dark grey color now, and the circuit is slightly different from the original.
Chords Of Orion Aah, the holster. Sadly no 😔 .....think it was a ‘cost’ option...A friend of mine had one and he used to attach it to his guitar strap (loop on the back).......Didn’t know they’d changed the circuit....I’m assuming that would be for the ‘harmonic’ function ? ......I know my chrome one does not have the on/off switch and is only ‘activated’ by proximity.....It has a red L.E.D rather than the blue on the current ones....
Gonna use it on my steel guitar and see what it sounds like. Being delivered tomorrow
Handy, thanks. There definitely IS an art to using it, I've had mine for a few months and have only really used it about 7 or 8 times. The more I use it the better the sounds I make with it. My only concern / gripe with it is that for £100 it doesn't feel very rugged. I think that for the rather expensive price the makers should really have made it with a metal housing instead of the cheap plastic feel they have. They ought to have been made like foot pedals are, in my opinion. I'm quite a careful person with my stuff but I think that if you're a bit clumsy or heavy handed then I doubt it would last very long.
Yes, I have heard others mention the plastic case. I can say that my current (number 3) EBow is 15 years old, and I have dropped more than once. No problems so far. But I have thought about buying a backup.
As far as the art goes, keep at it. I've been playing an EBow since 1979 or so, and it took me a long time to feel comfortable with string switching. As a matter of fact, when I started Chords of Orion in 2013, I had gotten kind of rusty and had to do some remedial practicing with it to get the fluidity back.
so this is the device used by David Gilmour, I've been looking for the sounds he uses on Division bell and the endless river.
Yep - that's the device!
Now I get it!
Cheers
Does Phil Keaggy use the older e-bow or the plus? Isn’t the amazing grace video that he did, he was using the older model?
Just bought one. This should be interesting.
Well done demo thank you also a new subscriber
You can make the guitar wistle like the beautiful sound on U2 "With or without you".Buying one now
+John Watson Excellent! You are gonna love it!
10:55 Merci beaucoup! C'est magnifique, et voilà a tutorial in which you demonstrate clearly how to use it. Not like @nailguitar... Thanks a lot! And thanks again for your psyche melodic ending!
+Ben M. (Ben Is Brooklyn) Thanks for the multi-lingual complement! :-)
why do you have to hold it backwards for the bridge pickup? (mentioned at 10:10)
how does the direction of the ebow influence the tone/playing?
+Jared Dyck I didn't say why, did I? The reason I flipped the EBow around was so I could get the Ebow over the pole pieces of the bridge pickup to get a stronger signal, similar to the way I describe moving the EBow over the neck pickup. Let me know if this helps clarify. Thanks for commenting!!!
+Chords Of Orion hmm yeah that makes sense. thanks for the reply!
I had the black red logo Ebow for about 28 years and it finally gave out on me. I purchased the new Ebow plus and don't like it as well as my first one because it's not as smooth sounding.I heard the new ones have supposedly a little stronger signal-if that's true maybe that's why the new one I have is not as smooth sounding as my old one??
Hard for me to say, as my old EBow got stolen long ago. I have also heard that the new units have a stronger signal, so maybe its just a matter of adjusting.
Bought an Ebow after watching your recent Zelzah video. I’m still getting the hang of it, but I wonder why the manufacturer hasn’t added felt (or something similar) in the string rails to prevent the brittle string-contact sound the Ebow makes when it touches the strings. Aren’t the rails there to rest on the strings? Thanks!
The rails are indeed there to rest on the strings adjacent to the one you are playing. But having felt in the rails would make it very difficult to switch strings. If you keep up with the practice, you will find string switching gets easier and cleaner over time.
@@chordsoforion appreciate your response. Thanks.
damn now there are 120000 potential ambient guitarists - who is going to listen to all of our music now - guess we'll all go noodling alone at home
Thanks for this tutorial. I picked up an E-Bow about a month ago (bargain on ebay for $65-used). It took some getting used to, but this video helped a lot. Also, picked up the Little Alligator, and haven't touched the Ernie Ball VP since. Thanks again.
You are very welcome. Thanks so much for commenting!!
Good morning Bill. Thanks for this video. Thanks for the entire eBow playlist. Now THIS little gizmo is totally amazing and I can actually afford it. The really cool thing about the eBow, is that it can be used with acoustic as well as electric guitars. While I will eventually buy some ambient guitar gear (compressor, volume pedal, etc), I do believe that the eBow will be my first official ambient guitar gear purchase! In fact, your videos gave me an idea for an experiment. I'm curious as to how using the eBow with my acoustic guitar during a springtime busking session in my neck of the woods (St Louis) will be accepted by the general public. Ambient guitar music is light years away from your average busker banging on his guitar and singing his fool head off. It's just so different that people might just stop and listen if for no other reason than curiosity. By the way, would the eBow work on a 12-string guitar as well as a 6-string?
The EBow is quite tricky on acoustic guitar as there is typically no magnetic pickup to help generate a stronger magnetic to drive the string. I am not saying it won't work: I use it on acoustic on one of my vids. Just be aware of it. And as far as 12-strings go, I think it is pretty unusable due to the string pair.
Thanks. Great tutorial. I would like to figure out a way to make a mellow, bowed stand up bass sound, like on Miles Davis's 'In a silent way'. Any helpful tips. Again, many thanks. Budd
If you are thinking using a standard or baritone guitar, I would suggest using a pitch shifter to get the octave below, and then use a looper to record the note you want to drone, making a simple loop. Here's an example that I did recently using a baritone guitar. I did have the higher octave added in, but just imagine it not there: th-cam.com/video/jy4wnUvARic/w-d-xo.html
I'm grateful for your generous help. As you have already done, I'm looking to play something appropriate for a meditation. Muchas gracias. Budd
Very informative and nice video. Thanks. One question though. Why are you in black and white? Maybe you didn't realise it.
Gosh - I don't remember why I did black and white. There must have been something wrong with the color balance. In any case, here's my latest "in color" EBow tutorial: th-cam.com/video/VmugDwAKZ-o/w-d-xo.html&t
Thanks for the reviews of the ebow as well as the AEON by tc - electronics. I first ordered the AEON because I had heard of the bad build quality of the ebow. The AEON has a very nice design and a great build quality. Yet it works less fast in generating the feedback, seems to have a weaker magentic field and because of its deeper "rails" string skipping is less easy to do. So I sent the AEON back and got me an ebow plus. It works much better, yet the build quality of such an expensive little device is a desaster. How much is the switch, 3 or 5 Cents? A lot of customers have commented in that, yet HEET seems to be deaf on this issue. This is real poor behavior in terms of quality development and it is just sad, that TC electronics did not take the opportunity to beat the ebow on all levels.
...Sorry if this is a 'Stupid' question,But If you are playing directly into an Audio Interface,with something like MidiGuitar app with VST Synths,Would that 'pick up' the Ebows effect,Or not?
Don't know, but I suspect it would not work very well.
I'm wondering if this would work on a bass guitar. That would be a cool sound!
+Matt Bowen Heet used to make an Ebow specifically for bass, but no longer. the current EBow can work with bass, however, it is a little more "touchy".
+Chords Of Orion That's what I thought. I'm surprised that the bass version was discontinued. Still a cool idea tho. Nice vid!
I tried to use this on a bass. The magnets are too weak except for the G string, the thinnest. I'm going to try it on my friend's Fender-Bass6 next.
I agree that the EBow is not the greatest for a full-size bass. In fact, Heet Sound used to make a Bass EBow way back in the day. While I don't have a Fender Bass VI, I do have an Ibanez SRC6 that is the same scale length and uses Bass VI strings. The EBow works pretty well on it. Here is one of my vids with it: th-cam.com/video/aGDRHHzuRis/w-d-xo.html
@@chordsoforion I'll check that video out. Thanks for the reference!
I've never used an EBow, but from your demo it seems like adding a pick or brush on the bottom of it to actuate the string(s) might be useful. How well do they work on acoustic guitars?
Some folks use an EBow on acoustic, but I find it really difficult to do so. For me, using the EBow in proximity to the guitar pickup is what really drives the string and you don't get that with an acoustic.
what tips do you have if you have a three pick up guitar such as a Strat or an Ibanez RG?
+Stephon Wasio I've used the E-Bow on a Strat a good bit in the past and it works really well. For me, the same basic principle of EBow placement applies - place the EBow on the string positioned over the bridge pickup so you can take advantage of the pickup driving the EBow. Also, I also would still turn down the tone control to mellow out the tone.
I see you're holding a tele in the beginning, but for the demo you're using the Carvin. I have a Jackson Soloist with a single coil in the neck. Does it respond to a single as well as a humbucker?
+Danny Brymer Yes, the EBow works very well with single coil pickups as well as humbuckers. You should be just fine with the Soloist.
The Blackface modeller sounds rich and full, very impressive. Makes recording easily accessible. What is it ? Is it hardware and software or is it just a plug in to install in Logic ?
Good news...Saves lugging around old valve amps ! cheers
It's hardware. I use the Avid Eleven Rack modelling unit. Had it for a number of years. I particularly like the Fender models on that unit.
That being said, I sometimes use the Amp Designer in Logic, which can provide surprisingly good results.
Thankyou for your advice...Does this mean I could plug an electrified acoustic into amp designer as if it were a pre amp, select a blackface or tweed amp or appropriate amp, and add a bit of compression, reverb using the available logic plug ins ?
You could. In fact Apple's Mainstage product for live performance works that way with the same Amp Designer effect. The big thing is that you need an audio interface that allows you to set the buffer size very low so there is not much latency.
Thanks Bill, Much appreciated. I have Logic Pro x 10.3. I'll have to look into main stage 3 for live performance. With recording , i'll try out Amp Designer. Thankyou for your kindness, support, and beautiful music. cheers
Really tnx 4 tutor!
8:46 im triying but seem impossible? does anyone .know. h.ow. t.o. do. it??
Are you slighting tilting the EBow as I suggest in the video? It really makes a big difference. Also, remember to hold the EBow over the pickup for a stronger signal, which can help. Finally, be sure to use a light pressure on the strings. If you push down on the EBow too strongly, it won't "glide" very well.
I just got my ebow
Is this what is used on Heros (Bowie) and High and Dry (Radiohead)?
Heroes sure sounds like an EBow, however the lead was played by Robert Fripp who does not use an EBow. Here's an article about how he recorded the lead: originalfuzz.com/blogs/fuzz/84621252-how-robert-fripp-recorded-the-guitar-line-on-david-bowies-heroes.
I know that Radiohead uses and EBow, so it's very possible that High and Dry features it.
WOW, Thanks for your reply. Incredible creation never to be duplicated. I think I'm going to try an e bow to see if I can make a reasonable reproduction for fun.
I think a coin and a load of reverb is used on High and dry, but Ed (the rhythm) uses Ebow loads especially on the album Kid A and after.
Does it work on the E strings
Yes - however, it takes a little extra practice, because you will have to balance the EBow on only one adjacent string.
Do you not use a Timeline anymore?
Darryl Garrison I still love and use the Timeline! The Triple Delay is a newer acquisition, so I am still in the "honeymoon" phase with it. :)
How does it do with an acoustic? Amplified and unamplified.
Some people use the EBow with acoustic guitar, but I personally have not gotten acceptable results. This is because there is no humbucker or single coil pickup to help drive the string vibration. But if you have an EBow, certainly give it a try and see how it works for you.
Good to hear that you are having success on the acoustic!
Are you sure you're not Scott Walker?
Does this work for a 6 string bass?
Not very well. Heet used to make a bass EBow, but alas, that was many years ago.
Yeah...might not be as easy, but it's definitely doable. I use one all the time.
NEED!
🎶👍🎶
Don't forget about using it with slide
If you are a slide player, for sure!
Was this recorded on a cop cam they hawk on tv for $14.99?....for TWO!! (Just pay a seperate fee)
Fair critique. This is a 5 year old video, and TBH I don't remember why I rendered it in B&W, however, it is safe to say that I messed some things up when shooting the vid.
I'm assuming it doesn't work on nylon strings
That is correct! The string must react to a magnetic force to work.
I wish I knew why it wasn’t working
What kinda guitar is that?
That's a Carvin HF2 Fatboy from about 2003 or so.
Nice damn kiesel should bring that shit back idk if theh have it bow but I doubt it. Only carvins they did was Jason Becker and they changed that to Kiesel now except for 1. I kinda thought the body reminded of a carvin too. I like the look of that think though , one hell of a guitar.
Could it work with EMG actives?
Yes, it does work with active pickups.
Why do all these ebow tutorials feature dark and grim or serious tunes. I want to hear how the ebow holds for more upbeat rock music
Nice! But that thing costs around $250 too buy at the music store ! 😨😰
Guess you are not in the USA? They are readily available here for $99 (amazon for example)>
Chords Of Orion No, I'm Not from the USA 🇺🇸 bye 👋
order it online crankypants. :-)
Can't for the life of me do those arpeggios.....
It sort of sounds like a theremin.
I can see why you would say that.