Ebows

[Blooby]

Question: I wonder of there is there any kind of feedback or residual sound if they get close to pickups; active or passive.

Nope.  The biggest problem with them can be unwanted string noise...as in rubbing the actual unit across adjacent strings.

Here's an acoustic double-tracked improvisation that was posted some time ago with some subtle Ebow in spots on it.



Original thread located here: https://songcrafters.org/community/post-your-work/this-thing-runs-on-batteries!/msg3440/#msg3440

Hope this helps matters.

Peace.

Blooby

[Davo]

Howdy!   Word on the street is they are not super usable live.  Interesting texture though.

REM did a track with one.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-0O_QD-UZ8M

[guitarron]

Howdy!   Word on the street is they are not super usable live.  Interesting texture though.

why is that ? is it because it needs to be mic'd while playing live guitar i guess i could see why this

[Blooby]

There is no issue with using one live.  They take a couple batteries, and you throw a switch.  A magnetic field is generated, and if you put one or both of two runners on an adjacent string or strings, the chosen string will vibrate.  The sound comes through your regular pickups, or it can be heard just fine with an unamplified acoustic guitar.  The only issue live (or recording) I can fathom has to do with accurately lining up the Ebow to the chosen string.  Sometimes, there is string rattle, but with anything, practice makes perfect.

It's a pretty simple device, but it generates a pretty unique sound.

Blooby

[guitarron]

 i see-makes sense-pretty cool device

[Greeny]

I'd better start saving up for one... 

[Flash Harry]

Eighty quid!

[Greeny]

I blew my wad on the new Tangelwood. Oo err Mrs 

[Davo]

Howdy!   Word on the street is they are not super usable live.  Interesting texture though.

why is that ? is it because it needs to be mic'd while playing live guitar i guess i could see why this

The issues come more from being restricted to single notes/strings at a time.  Also from switching between the bow and regular picking during the course of a song.  I know two guitarists who use em-both guys are lone guitarists in their bands.  Its not impossible just not as easy.
Its not a mic issue unless you are using an acoustic without pickups.

[guitarron]

that makews sense-takes practice i would imagine