ozover50 wrote:I've considered buying one a number of times but I'd really like to spend a heap of time with one just to make sure it doesn't end up being another addition to the 'Aitch gizmo drawer' - things that are never or very rarely used.
I've always thought the idea sounded cool, but I've thought the same a Aitch, would I actually ever use it? Of course, I'd be using it on a bass, so I don't even know if it would even work right. Then again, with a Rick bass and some compression, who really needs any more sustain?
I have NO idea what to do with those skinny stringed things... I'm just a bass player...
ozover50 wrote:I've considered buying one a number of times but I'd really like to spend a heap of time with one just to make sure it doesn't end up being another addition to the 'Aitch gizmo drawer' - things that are never or very rarely used.
I've always thought the idea sounded cool, but I've thought the same a Aitch, would I actually ever use it? Of course, I'd be using it on a bass, so I don't even know if it would even work right. Then again, with a Rick bass and some compression, who really needs any more sustain?
Do you want to risk the sound of farting up a drainpipe?
I have only had mine since Christmas, But I absolutely LOVE it.
I am still working my way through the CD, but I think it gives a really different feel to our music. We are starting to incorportate it into one or two of our own songs that are being recorded at the moment and I am going to be using mine at our next gig next week. It will be the first time I have played it live and I am trying to sing at the same time......a new challenge. Luckily I am keeping it VERY simple in a version of Under the Milky Way. We are not sure how it will work yet, so will decide in rehearsal whether we are going to play it. Remember, in the UK, hardly anyone has heard of The Church.
Anyway, I love my ebow and think, so long as it is not overused, it sounds amazing and adds a definate extra dimension. When we have something recorded using it, I will post it or post a link.
I have a lot of fun dinking around with mine, trying to work in the whole string skipping thing instead of just the single note drones. I wish I really had more time to find a place for it in my music other than something to throw on as an afterthought when recording. I think a lot of people get discouraged with Ebows because they require learning a new technique that isn't quickly perfected, like slide playing. I like to get that psychedelic backwards solo sound that these can emulate, as well as interestng types of controllable feedback.
I just had to share this story. I have one of the old black plastic with red lettering units. We were playing at a party and I had the E-bow sitting on top of my Twin Reverb. The amp was cranking, and the thing vibrated off the top, falling into a pint of beer which was sitting on the floor in front of said amp. A few songs later, to my horror, I noticed the E-bow sitting in the bottom of the glass - completely submerged in amber fluid. I pull out the E-bow and the LED is LIT. "Oh no... this thing is dead.." I muttered. So I removed the battery - wrapped it in a towel and threw it in my gig bag. A few days later, I took it out of the bag, preparing to toss it in the trash - but I thought what the heck, I'll put a fresh 9 volt in it. Lo and behold - it lit up when I switched it on, and its worked fine ever since. This happened in '91 - and I still have it.
I know Ty Tabor from King's X uses the ebow quite effectively- couldn't find any youtube clips of him using one though.
Don't know if you could use one on a bass though...seems like they're more designed for smaller gauge strings- maybe if they made one the size of a like a small toaster oven you could activate the E string of a 4001.
But here's an interesting demo of one from Phil Keaggy.
