The E-Bow has been around for a rather long time (it was originally invented by a Turkish musician in the mid-1970s), but because its operation requires more than a bit of practice to master, its use is not widespread. Rather than using a pick or a finger to pluck a guitar string, the E-Bow uses an electromagnetic field to stimulate the string into vibration. Finding the right place on the string to place the E-Bow is key to its successful use. The newest version, dubbed the E-Bow Plus, gives you two switch positions: One of which sounds the string at its fundamental (or primary) frequency and the second of which causes the string to produce a higher harmonic.

Typically, you'll have more success with the E-Bow when using your guitar's neck pickup, so start there. With the E-Bow switch set to the fundamental or primary position, locate the place on the string where it begins to vibrate the fastest. In most cases, this will be right over the pickup or just slightly in front or in back of it. Practice on just one string until you have a good feel for how the E-Bow causes the string to vibrate. In some cases, you may wish to have a slower attack, in which case you can start with the E-Bow in front or in back of the optimal point in which it creates the fastest attack, then slowly move it towards the "hot spot." Because the E-Bow has guides on the bottom to help you position it correctly (for example, the guides would sit on the A and G strings if you are playing on the D string), you'll want to start by working with the "inner" four strings. Through the creative use of equalization and other effects (a wah, for instance), you can create a wide range of tones. A bit of reverb helps add some additional "magic" to your E-Bow solos. You can combine picking with E-Bow techniques for an even broader array of sounds.