The Essentials to Know About the EBow Guitar Sustainer
- Infinite sustain and singing harmonics by playing directly on the string, without pedals or cables.
- Expressive right-hand playing: fine control of volume, vibrato, and tone by modulating distance and angle.
- "Orchestral" timbres (strings, brass, woodwinds) for unique pads, drones, and solo lines.
- Compact format, battery-powered autonomous, ideal for studio, stage, and sound creation.
A Classic of the Electronic Bow Serving Sustain
Born in the 1970s, the EBow has established itself as the reference for portable sustainers. Unlike a pedal, it excites the string via an electromagnetic field right next to the pickup, offering natural note holding and very lively articulation. It holds a unique place on a modern pedalboard: an "instrument within the instrument" that complements delays and reverbs as well as drives and modulations.
For Whom and Which Styles?
Perfect for curious guitarists, from motivated beginners to seasoned musicians seeking textures. It shines in
ambient, shoegaze, post-rock, pop/indie, experimental music, and film scoring. Live, it enables smooth swells and sustained pads; in the studio, it opens a wide field of sound design without relying on synths. Its learning curve is short: just a few minutes to achieve inspiring results.
Key Controls and Features
The EBow is held like a pick. You sculpt the intensity by adjusting the
distance to the string and the playing zone (near the neck pickup for a fuller tone, near the bridge for more brightness). The guidance channel helps target a
single string precisely. Depending on the version, a dedicated
harmonic mode allows very musical upper partials to emerge. Without cables or footswitch, it integrates into any setup and works with most standard electric guitars.
The Sound
The EBow delivers a soft and continuous attack, close to a real bow: linear sustain,
rich harmonics, immediate dynamic response to your right hand. You get "violin," "viola," or "flute" voices, as well as ethereal textures perfect with delay and reverb. It reacts admirably to downstream effects (compression, modulation, light overdrive) and remains transparent on the fundamental, with beautiful musicality on sustained notes and slides.
Technical Specifications
Usage and Compatibility
- Portable electronic bow for electric guitar
- Targeted action on a single string
- Works with all standard electric guitars
- No audio input/output: direct interaction with the string
Dimensions and Weight
- Dimensions: approx. 140 x 28 x 20 mm
- Weight: approx. 45 g
Included Accessories
- 1 AA battery (included depending on supplier specifications)
- Box and documentation
Power Consumption
- Power supply: 1 AA 1.5 V battery
- Consumption: not specified (battery life varies depending on the battery used)
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