User reviews: E Bow E Bow Plus

11/01/11

heads on fire's review "Such an innovative product."

Features:

Small plastic housing

9v powered

On/off switch

Harmonic/regular mode switch

This unit is INCREDIBLE. It makes your guitar string sustain forever! Well, as long as the battery lasts. It will even cause an acoustic guitar, or bass guitar's strings to vibrate indefinitely. The operation is very simple - hold the EBow directly over the string that is intended to vibrate, switch it on, and hold your breath! Actually, don't hold your breath - this unit can keep the sustain happening much longer than you can hold your breath! You'd pass out from oxygen deprivation before this baby quit working! This is a pre-cursor to cool innovations like the Fernandez Sustainer pickup, and the Moog Guitar, both instruments that allow infinite sustain on a physical guitar string.

The effects one can achieve using one of these little guys are incredible! It can make an electric or acoustic or bass sound like a cello, violin, synthesizer, horns, flutes...it is a world-class box built on a great idea. The harmonic modes are especially cool, and with a little practice, one can develop a technique to switch back and forth between the regular mode and harmonic mode while simultaneously holding a sustaining note. Adding ambient sounds like reverb or delay can definitely add to the effect's effectiveness.

The only "downside" I can see at all is that multiple strings cannot be sustained, but I'm not sure how physically and practically/financially possible that idea would be for the designers of the EBow to integrate. I guess another minor gripe is that this is a tad cumbersome for the hand - it would be neat to see a unit that sustains like this, but could also allow the player to continue to hold and use a pick at the same time.

All in all, this is an excellent product, rife with inspiration, and I'd recommend it to any forward-thinking metal-stringed instrument musician. The hours you'd spend creating new sonic textures and soaring solos will definitely make it worth the hundred dollar price tag.

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07/31/11

denied's review "Yes you’re guitar can be a cello"

Overall Opinion

Features:

- 9v battery powered (easily changed)

- Blue LED indicator

- Two modes – normal and harmonics

- Comes with velvet carry bag

- Convenient string groves

- Comfortable design

Usability:

To be honest this is a tricky one to figure out. I generally don’t place a whole lot of faith in manuals, but I just didn’t know what to do without reading up. You place the ebow on the strings which will fit right into groves. Move it slowly towards whichever pickup is selected, and the infinite sustain will start rising in volume. You will need to roll off your volume knob once you pull out the ebow, otherwise it is far too loud and will cause ears to bleed. It’s also a pain to use on either the top or bottom E string as there isn’t a string on either side of those to carry the groves, so you have to play a tricky balance game. It is a very nuanced tool that takes some getting used to, especially at higher frets. Adding some vibrato in seems to help it get going. I’m a little disappointed there isn’t a good way to run it vertically. I’ve heard it can just break pretty easily if dropped, so it might be worth picking this one up at the new price and getting the warranty.

Sound:

What can I say, it actually sounds like a bow going over one of your strings. At higher strings or frets you have violin/viola sounds. Lower down it pretty much sounds like a cello. Now, a lot of this has to do with your technique. I’ve seen a lot of people who don’t really put a lot of effort into the way that they are using it, and it doesn’t sound quite as good. The harmonic mode is just what it sounds like, swells of the harmonic and not the note itself. It works really well for adding a strings part to any arrangement, and I’ve taken the volume pedal off my board completely, I like the ebow so much.

Overall:

Definitely one of the most entertaining toys you can pick up to use with a guitar. It just opens up a whole different pallet of tonal options. Mine pretty much just hangs out in my guitar case all the time, on the off chance that I’ll have a use for it. I wouldn’t say it’s a necessity at all, but if you are looking for a fun new sound to add to your arsenal, this is a pretty solid choice.

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11/18/10

moosers's review

Overall Opinion

The E Bow Plus (manufactured by Heet Sound) is a unique device, dubbed the "Electronic Bow." It replaces your fingers or pick and works by holding it up to the strings of your guitar and it will sustain the note you're playing. It delivers a sound that's not possible without it. When I first got it, it opened up a world of possibilities for me, as it's like getting a new effect that can be used in any capacity you'd like. The E Bow Plus has two different modes on it, one is the regular E Bow mode and the other is a feedback mode. It's not hard to use or to play with, but did take me a little while to figure out the best positioning and all that. I've owned by E Bow for about four or five years and I still continue to use it all the time. It's perfect for adding in ambient guitar parts in any capacity, or just for getting some literally endless sustain happening. I also tend to use it a lot with slide, which I think makes for a really unique sound. It's also really cool to use with other effects like delay and reverbs, as you can really get some wacky sounds. If you are unsure of what kind of sounds the E Bow will give you, rest assured that you've definitely heard it used before on many recordings. I'd pull up a quick video or sound clip and you should pretty much instantly recognize the sweet sound that the E Bow Plus has to offer. The price of the E Bow plus is a bit less than $100 US dollars, which is definitely reasonable in my opinion. I'd definitely encourage you to try the E Bow Plus out if you're at all thinking about getting it, as I know once you try it you're going to want it. For me it's the gift that keeps on giving as I've used it on countless recordings and I'm still exploring new sounds with it.

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01/23/09

songboy's review

Overall Opinion

I have had the Ebow for 1 year. What I like most about this item is basically its main purpose, giving you the ability to play a guitar like a violin (not exactly like a violin, but a simulation of). You can create some amazing guitar solos with this device. Another great option on this device is the ability to chose regular mode (creates the pitch you are actually playing on the fret board) or harmonic mode (adds overtones but is harder to play). Don't be fooled by what the ads and some might say, this is not a "easy" thing to use and sound great with right away. However, don't be too afraid, with a little practice time, it starts to sound cool. If you have a looping device, this thing will be some of the best fun you have ever had. The thing I like least about the unit is how awful it sounds when you hit the strings. Thats not exactly the ebow's fault, its more of the player's fault, but it takes some getting used to especially when you are switching to a different string. As for different models, this is the only one I have ever tried. I got mine used for $60. They normally go for around $80-90. I will put it this way, unless you are really going to spend the time to learn how to use this unit properly, its not worth much at all. You really can't half ass it, it is a very finicky device. But, get comfortable with it and use it tastefully and it will blow peoples minds. I personally love mine and have created multi layered guitar solos in the studio and come up with the craziest "sigur ros" type euphoria. Do be careful though, this is really just a small plastic device so you can easily lose it, and maybe break it. I dropped mine and it split and the battery when flying out. It actually went right back together and works great, but if they made a metal version, or something a little stronger, I would be much happier.

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08/02/08

RickD's review

Overall Opinion

- For how long have you been using it?

A few months.

- What thing do you like most/least about it?

It's amazing! Nothing else i've ever tried does anything like this!

It's small...easy to carry around...and can even work on an acoustic if you practice a little.

- Did you try many other models before getting this one?

Nope, i heard about it & ordered it!

- What is your opinion about the value for the price?

I paid 60 € i think, but i think it's still expensive for what it is. Should be half that, if even that much...

- Knowing what you know now, would you make the same choice?...

It takes quite a bit of practice and if you're into this sort of thing then maybe check out the Moog Guitar...which might be much better.

But, well, listen to Brian May's work on Queen records and that'll give you an idea of what can be done with this thing. It's unique, and it sounds that way.

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E Bow E Bow Plus

E Bow E Bow Plus user reviews ( 8/10) - 28 user reviews

heads on fire's review "Such an innovative product."

denied's review "Yes you’re guitar can be a cello"

moosers's review

songboy's review

RickD's review

Fralat's review ( translated ) Improve this translation

ddn's review ( translated ) Improve this translation " it makes the job"

inputslash14's review ( translated ) Improve this translation " Very cool:)"

Gab_'s review ( translated ) Improve this translation " Do not support gliding."

sigmunfred's review ( translated ) Improve this translation