Question:
I figure there have to be a decent number of ebow users around. So how about it? Does anyone care to share some cool tricks, useful advice, critiques of the ebow, or anything like that? I read the instructions, but I'm finding it's actually much harder to make a violin noise than it sounded.
Answer:
I've been using my Ebow for a few years now and here are a few different things I've worked out:
- A volume pedal is a must, it is very hard to use well without one
- Use delay with it
- use delay and a slide and have it on the 'harmonics' setting, this creates a very atmospheric effect
- if you want to change notes fast then tap the ebow on the string about a centimetre away from the pickup
- on my LP it is best to use the neck pickup with the tone on about 2-3 and the volume on about 7-8
- use the loop function on a delay pedal to create a drone effect
- don't use distortion with it, it sounds rubbish!
hope they are helpful
god Bless, Rich
Answer:
Yup yup, delay and volume pedals are the key. Without them you'll be hard pressed to *ever* get that "violin noise" that you mentioned. Distortion would, in fact, sound "like rubbish", as Rich says, but a slight bit of overdrive is certainly not out of the question. You can check out my band's website and listen to the first song that plays in the background on the mp3 player there. That's nothing but a sample of some wind, an acoustic guitar, and about 5 or 6 tracks of guitar with Ebow using delay and reverse delay. Really trippy and atmospheric.
Answer:
I've found that it's possible to get around having a volume pedal with the ebow (though I do use one). The trick is to use the neck pickup and slide the ebow close to or away from the pickup depending on the volume you want. Takes a little more effort, but it works.
Answer:
i agree with LWatford about the volume. you get a better sound when you move the ebow back and forth. i also like to just move up my guitar volume as i build up. you actually change your tone as you get louder by turning your volume knob up which is something you cant get with a volume pedal. you can get some cool sounds by pushing it down a little and moving it right over the middle of the pickup. i always use a little overdrive and some delay. wah and heavy tremolo sounds cool too. practice using vibrato when you hold the notes down.
Answer:
I think I figured out why the ebow doesn't work too well with my guitar - it's a $180 guitar with pickups to match. I'll need better pickups for this to work, I think. Right now I can get the ebow above the hotspot and it makes a lot of buzzing and a little sound.
Answer:
put ur neck pickup on, your guitar volume to about 40% and tone to 0. you dont usually want the ebow right above the hotspot, its best to have it away a little bit and move it over the hotspot for building up. you gotta practice moving it around to get the sound you like.
Answer:
I use my ebow alot. I usually chain it this way. Guitar (ebowed) to a trem to delay and sometimes to distortion. People say that it sounds bullocks, but I like the distortion over the top of this...it kind of gives the feedback a little more kick on the delay
Answer:
Originally Posted by nick2282 put ur neck pickup on, your guitar volume to about 40% and tone to 0. you dont usually want the ebow right above the hotspot, its best to have it away a little bit and move it over the hotspot for building up. you gotta practice moving it around to get the sound you like.
Yeah I did all those things. Either it doesn't pick it up or it buzzes, so I think I just have crappy pickups.
Time for me to go out and get that Dean Caddy, I suppose.
Answer:
try it out on a friends guitar or at your local music store. then you will know if its your pick ups.