It doesn’t look like much, but the EBow is easily one of the grooviest gadgets ever created for the guitar — for those who don’t know, the EBow is essentially an electromagnetic device [it runs on a 9V battery] that when held over your guitar causes your string to vibrate as if being played by a bow.
The effect can be downright creepy: in fact one of the EBow’s most famous and dedicated users is Daniel Ash, guitarist for legendary goth band Bauhaus, not to mention the incredible Tones On Tail, and later Love & Rockets.
The EBow, and it’s new & improved sibling the PlusEBow, can produce sounds you’ve never thought possible from an electric guitar — all through the vibration of the string. Theramin-like wails, lamenting whale songs, soaring crescendos… these things are crazy-fun.
And the new PlusEBow adds a harmonic setting, which according to their website “causes the string to vibrate with rich upper harmonics.”
You really have to try one yourself to see what you’re missing!
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