04:27 New Ebow 04:54 Old Ebow 06:11 TC Aeon 09:08 Joyo Infinite Sustainer 11:56 Joyo harmonizer mode 12:26 Old Ebow harmonizer mode 13:06 Pros and cons of each
Ebow’s customer service is the best in all the music industry period. I have sent my Ebow in for repair and received a band new one with NO and I mean zero questions or rebuttal from this company. I proudly fly my Ebow sticker on my guitar case for everyone to see at my gigs! Great little device created decades ago and still works as designed.
@@JRP3music Yeah, back then, Red, green and amber were the colors LED's came in. Blue LED's didn't exist before the 90's, were nothing more than a novelty until the late 90's, took over everything in the early naughts, and won a nobel prize in physics in 2014, due to blue LED's allowing for ANY color lighting at all using phosphors, which, as we know, changed everything.
@@rich1051414 Mine is from 1999 -20 years- and has a blue LED. '99, or so, was when the prices on blue LEDs started to drop precipitously, if you could buy in bulk.
Despite playing for 25 years, I just bought an Ebow a couple years ago and I LOVE IT!!! Thanks for making this video because now I don't have to wonder if there's something better out there. Also I am definitely gonna have to try that trick there where you started pushing the string into the pickup. I also keep meaning to try using the Ebow and a slide at the same time. I guess I know what I'm doing after work today.
I have the TC Aeon and I dislike it very much. It's easy to "misfire" and it's sluggish to kick in so when string switching, that sluggishness make it impossible to use. That's the only TC product I'm disappointed in and would never recommend. It's a dud.
I came in wanted to ask this. Thank you for addressing it. I was hoping that TC heard all the bad reviews and put out a version 2. I guess they didn't.
It doesn't seem powerful enough. He is struggling with it which makes me feel better about my experience with it. I had an ebow for a year. Getting another soon. Shouldnt have let it go..
Wow haven't even finished the video and the Aeon is already a JOKE. No harmonic mode, no ergonomic design, you gotta hold it straight up like a fuckin lighter, and apparently it wasn't designed to SWITCH BETWEEN STRINGS....jesus christ TC wtf is wrong with you? I got my Ebow in 2001, it's the black one with harmonizer mode and the entire top half is cracked open so i wrap it up in fresh electrical tape every time i change the battery, i fuckin love it. gives it character, like battle scars.
Quick question, how often have you had to replace your ebow? Mine seems to be not putting out as strong of a signal anymore and before I buy a new one I wanna know if it's worth paying full price again
I used to use these religiously before the 2010's. They're made so poorly though. I broke so many of them, though, they'd end up being a lump of plastic covered in tape
I own Phil Keaggy's first e-bow. It has the chrome finish and comes on automatically when you hold it over the strings. He gave it to me about 7yrs ago.
@Neon Hombré Yes he does! I did a song with him a few years back. If you look up my youtube channel, Mark Breton and play the song Devon you will get to hear him play a killer lead towards the end. It was just awesome to get to work with him.
I feel sustainer pickups are too overpriced. I really hope Joyo or someone like that ends up making one. I want to be able to sustain chords, not single notes.
If you're into diy, making a systaniac-type pickup from a humbucker is a fairly straightforward process. You can find many websites and videos with information on how to do it. Of course, using a pickup that has great tone is part of the battle.
There’s a few pedals you can try for that but they’re not cheap either. I got the gamechanger plus pedal during a Black Friday deal last year. I also use the Red Panda Tensor to get a sustain effect sometimes. The Neunaber Immerse Reverb has a nice sustain mode. There’s a few combos that can be used that won’t give the cheesy freeze sound.
Amongst the other pedals mentioned , take a look at the "Digitech Freqout" pedal. I have an Ebow but like you I'd like to sustain chords, so I'm tempted by it myself. I did have a sustainiac pedal but it came without the electro magnet pickup that clamps to the headstock. I thought I might be able to get hold of one or make it myself... but nah ! So I sold it on.
The Joyo does seem to generate more vibration. Its definitely muscle memory that affects your ease of using the 3 (although the rectangular shape of the Aeon doesn't seem to lend itself to the most comfortable grip. Chalk 1 up for ergonomics!)
Just like this amazing device I could go on forever and ever and ever about how amazing the ebow is but thats what i have always found fascinating about these things so im glad i took the plunge & bought one of these bad boys ! The ebow is so much fun and you get a freaking amazing sound !
@@ApolloVIIIYouAreGoForTLI Setting up the inner controls is important for controlling the speed of your note swelling volume. Adjusting the pickup height makes a difference too. Now my neck sustainer pickup has a bad hum to it if I want to use it in the normal mode, but ok with it in sustainer mode. If you have a Floyd Rose system the bridge pickup string/pole spacing is off. So I got a F space Screaming Demon Seymour Duncan pickup and put it in instead of the stock one. Thanks
You have a Bob Ross sort of vibe!!! Bought an Ebow for a friend of mine decades ago and it brings back memories. I'm gonna check out these other brands for sure.
Years ago I got an EBow and thought it was great...until I played a guitar with a Sustainiac built in. The guitar was the Jackson DK2S (since discontinued, but available on eBay for under $1k). Schecter makes guitars with Sustainiacs built in and Fernandez makes guitars with their own sustainer system. Having the sustainer built into the guitar frees up both hands for soloing. The eBow (and the other, similar products) sound different than the Sustainiac, so I can see why you might want both. But the Sustainiac does everything I need.
I have got a sustainiac in my Fernandez. It's really great, and has extra adjustments that you can not do with the E-Bow variants. But it only works on one guitar, and there are techniques that you can't do with it, that you can with a hand held. So I want both 🤠
I had an e-bow over twenty years ago, and I remember that they are really "hot" when holding it right over the pickup, esp. the neck pickup...with some boost or distortion you can more easily get the stringy-to-string fake violin or cello type bow stuff. There is a huge dynamic difference between holding it over and not over the pickup..not over requires more time for the string to start up a strong vibration and get going. when over a pickup the e-bow just seems to "explode" the string down into the pickup directly below. It is probably the interaction of the e-bow not just vibrating the string physically but reacting with the magnetic field of the pickup right below..they are awesome, they just require some time to get down physically holding along different parts of the string and how that influences your volume and rate of attack.....have fun!
J Kris this is what separates an experienced ebow player from an inexperienced player. The subtleties in pickup position show how much an artist understands his guitar and the ebow in comparison to someone who’s hoping for the best. It’s been infuriating over the years to listen to guys up on stage trying to ‘tame’ their sound and try to control the subtle feedback with their guitars. Sort yourselves out guys and girls
I’d say the longer rails on the Joyo may help prevent accidental slipping (don’t know, haven’t tried it). I have trouble with that sometimes with my ebow, especially when singing & ebowing at the same time
The ebow is not physically designed for bass, but the circuit works fine. Fretless bass is a lovely application. I’m sure if you check Michael Manring you’ll find some inspiring passages.
The ebow has grooves on the bottom that fit with guitar strings on either side, to make correct position without string buzzing against the magnets Bass players have to put extra effort in correct position , the ebow is really finicky and small sweet spot vs. String buzz on the ebow.
Hi sir i bought Joyo sustainer and i got the item today, gonna ask you is the harmonic mode of your joyo sustainer is producing strong vibration ? Like normal mode? I am suspecting the item i got has a factory defect coz the harmonic mode it's not producing a strong vibrate like normal mode..
My e-bow is the original chromed plastic with a leather holster from 1970’s. Activates automatically when held against strings, no switches, not nearly as hot as the modern ones, and I love it!
nice one. My first 80s EBow is falling into parts after a battery being forgotten in it ... :( I bought a 2000++ one to replace it but found another device that does the job more comfortably for my needs: a Vibesware GR-1, which is a resonator unit based on the same functionality but fixed on a microphone stand, which makes you forget about the how to place the unit while not in use problem :D Would be interesting to find out, what this could do for you. (I am not affiliated with the friendly engineer who developed it, but met him when buying the tool, nice man :) )
I have a 1985 black ebow and a dual-mode grey ebow from 2015. The 1985 is 2% stronger in a directly-over-the-polepiece test. You'd lose that by moving 1mm off-axis. My 1985 ebow is encased in epoxy after too many breaks to the case and is painted *bright orange* - because a black device, carelessly abandoned on a black stage, is murder to locate when the song is over... ;-)
Haha my Ebow lasted from 07'after I heard "to Forgive " from mellow collie till now. I gotta love the 00's because today's Equipment are not as good. My levys strap I got from 09' lasted longer then a strap I got last year
It sounds to me like the Ebo is "rightly" sensitive and seems to have the ability to have a little more control over the sound as well as the harmonizing feature.
I still love my elbow classic . I found mine in the recording studios dumpster smashed to all hell and it worked once I soldered it back together plus I modified mine to attach to my finger and hooked down my arm to the battery with a wire and a 2.4 volt booster circuit . Guys omg these things are the shit
That Aeon sounds like an eBow with a 27 year old battery... definitely TC Electronics failed with this one... the Infinite Sustainer is superior by far!
Thanks for a great comparison video! I was interested in an Ebow for ambient guitar tracks on a studio project, and I thought, hmmm I would love to see a comparison of all the options. Answered all my questions! Thank you!
If you're considering an Aeon, don't. It's crap. Just received one, and on the same guitar my ebow makes sing so easily the strings barely move. It's lucky it's now so cheap. I wish I'd done more research than just watching the other Aeon video on this channel, in which it was called a "worthy" addition to the string sustainer market. Given that it literally won't sustain a string without a *lot* of coaxing, I'd have to disagree.
FYI. I've tried the sound stone. It's inexpensive but it's very weak and built very poorly and almost totally useless for acoustic. More frustration than use unless you just want a little gimmick.
I saw someone else compare the Ebow and Joyo and the Joyo sounded harsher and the string switching wasn’t nearly as smooth either. Bottom line? You’re just better off to buy an original Ebow! Also, the 30 dollar savings isn’t worth getting the crappier knockoffs because there’s no way to correct their obvious problems. Also, it doesn’t matter if the TC is made of metal if it’s awkward to hold and it sucks for string switching.
I have a E-Bow I got about 17 years ago. I LOVED this awesome video! I always enjoy your take on this type of stuff as I feel YOU are the king of Ambient guitar. Thank you for the fun demo!
First of all thanks for not using your site to sell. This looked to me to be a very honest comparison. I did notice the Joyo last week online and wondered how it compared to the Ebow. I've come to a point where I am going to get one soon. And I am on a budget. That means that I can fool myself pretty easy into buying something based only on price, only to break down and buy the better item later on. So I have been curious about the Joyo Infinite sustainer. I don't have any experience so I depend on honest shoot outs like this one. Long way to say thank you.
wow! recently bought an EOB strat (with the"near infinite" fernandes pick-up) and i thought i'd be satisfied but hearing the volume swells in particular and also that string smashing thing you did with the EBow - i am reconsidering. I thought the Aeon sounded fuzzier and i didn't like it's form factor - the EBow both old and new sounded cleaner than the Joyo - wish there was a polyphonic version but i always want more :) - thx for the info and much food for thought, cheers from Tasmania
The JOYO web page shows it is intended to be held the other way round to the way you hold it in the demo. I remember seeing a demo somewhere where the player slides the EBow vertically up and down across the strings to produce a rapid bowing effect similar to a cross string violin technique. I don't know how that was done, maybe just lots of gain. I've never been able to do it since the sustain effect takes time for the sustain to build and anyway the rails tend to hang up on the strings.
You are correct, however, I tried both ways, and prefer the direction I hold it in. The cool thing is that works and sounds the same in either orientation. Also, if you are interested, I have an EBow tutorial that covers the techniques that you refer to: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-Z--TKWFPn9g.html
Alkaline 9V battery have small lifetime... Can we use Li-ion battery (7,4V) in EBOW? Does it have enough power? Or we better must use Ni-MH (8,4V) batteries?
FYI the EBow uses a ‘self-lubricating’ plastic explicitly to reduce string noise from contact on the support strings, and it has an easy throw switch for ease of switching between modes while playing. It’s the only device that can efficiently arpeggio across the strings at any pace you play. The trick to adding Cross String Bowing to your EBow technique is a matter of employing the dynamics of proximity to pickup (the EBow playing area) properly. Basically, stay away from the loudest spot (Hot Spot) when sustaining and move the EBow directly over the Hot Spot to cross strings quickly. The EBow acts as a handheld amplifier, amplifying each string as you cross. Another benefit of this ‘playing area’ approach is that the EBow can remain close to your picking/plucking volume - so it’s easier to use live. Fast arps tend to be quieter as each activated string doesn’t get the chance to vibrate up to full effect, but they still maintain the sound of a bow passing over each string. Another thing to try is tilting the EBow foot away from the driven string (with one of the foot’s guide grooves still resting on it’s support string) to get the amount of effect you desire/and or to keep your sustain volume the same but with a brighter tone. Nearer the Hot Spot is also where the staccato and spiccato effects live and breathe. One last detail to keep in mind is that the neck pickup is better because that’s where the strings vibrate the most freely, when playing close to the bridge the string tension increases and becomes less responsive to the EBow’s electro-magnetic drive. These notes may be helpful on the other handheld sustainers, but the cross string effects can only be done with an EBow. The knockoffs missed some major design details that the actual inventor of this magical device did not. Jus’ sayin’.
Yeah the aeon is garbage, i had one it will get caught up in the strings all of the time i tried to modify it so this wouldnt happen but then the target area seemed to get smaller. The way you have to hold it does not feel comfortable at all . I would not buy another one.
Joyo Sustainer has a pic on the box showing the correct orientation is actually switch forward, which is different from the ebow - but apparently it will work either way. Josh Scott has a great ebow video on his JHS channel where he discovers he's been ebowing backwards forever :D
Exactly - I prefer to hold the Joyo like the EBow is held. The ergonomics of how you are supposed to hold the Joyo suck (at least for me). And yes,, the Joyo sounds the same in either orientation.
I really wish installing Sustainer is much easier so that I can get the sound without using something like E-Bow which..I haven't tried but seems more cumbersome compared to the regular sustainer
They are not quite interchangeable. You can have a very slow attack on e-bow, imitating a bow. And it's quite controllable. If you want to do the same on a sustainer pickup you will have to use volume knob or a volume pedal to get those swells.
It’s nice to have a truly nice guy that takes the time to look at the comments that we make-- and even takes time to REPLY to them ‼ I think the best word for that is… “CARES”… He cares what we think and I can tell all he wants , is to do WHAT we think , and improve what he is doing , ……. Trying to help those of us that need some NEW ideas ‼Excellent teacher‼ I’m new to his music- 70y/o and trying to learn . This is a place where I think I have a chance 🙏‼
Absolutely agree that the Aeon isn't half as smooth as the e-bow. The Joyo seems a bit harsh to my ear, not as creamy as the e-bow. Especially for ambient stuff, that delicacy of the original e- bow is paramount I think. I went with the e-bow as per your demo. Thank you!
You are not holding the joyo correctly The LED light should always be pointed forward . That allows a better visual positioning and magnetic control over strings ..and you be able to switch b/w two modes if needed while playing
That is correct - I do not like to use it in the "correct" way. It is way more comfortable to hold and provides better sonic results for me by turning it around. Also, switching between the modes is not an issue, at least not for me. Just want to emphasize that this is my experience only. I am not trying to make a case that everyone should hold it like I do.
Perhaps consider calling up E-Bow or JOYO, and working with them on a New Version. ERGONOMICS to me are very Important. The Joyo is headed in the Right Direction. You need a Unit that Fits Comfortably in the Palm, but perhaps a light gripable texture. Also, the Switch should be Recessed somehow. That would be really uncomfortable after awhile, and if you're doing an Extended piece aka Pink Floyd, that would really bother me. I don't have one presently, but it's on my List. Just a Thought....
The Joyo ergonomics are not all that great. You may have noticed that I hold it backwards so it is more like holding an EBow. Much more comfortable to me. Not sure how I would want to see the EBow ergonomics improved as it is very comfortable to me. Could just be familiarity as I have been using EBows since the late 70s. :-)
Isn't the Joyo supposed to be used the other way around, so the LED is visible ahead of the right hand - like an Ebow? I've had an Ebow for many years, but the ergonomics of the Joyo looks much better to me. Especially with the switch toward the front. Much easier to toggle on the fly than the Ebow, with the switch at the back. The Aeon's vertical orientation seems like it would be awkward to use.
I prefer to play the Joyo "backwards". Just too awkward for me to use the other way round. Prolly due to my many years of playing the EBow. The good news is that it works well in either orientation. And you are correct about the Aeon's awkwardness.
Very good, but, any of them is a getting familiar with relationship for adaptation in playing. Correct? Curious here, have you tried a stainless steel pick? There was a company at a NAMM show selling them, you get a hawaiian guitar sound supposedly.
So the Aeon is the same price as the Joyo... but is a weird shape that doesn't fit your hand, and doesn't have the harmonic mode? Ok -- so that's a no-go. And people always bitch that the Ebow is $30 more than the Joyo. But the Joyo is bright white. So I have a black guitar, black t-shirt, black jeans, black shoes, and then I have this weird white thing in my hand. So should I paint it? Also the light on the Ebow faces forward so you can see it lighting up the strings. On the Joyo, it points... backwards??
He was using the Joyo backwards. Bright white, will be less likely to get lost/forgotten on a dark stage. Paint it any color you like. $30 cheeper will hurt less, if you have to replace a damaged/stolen one.
Overall I still think they all suck compared to the Sustainiac pickup. The fact that it's wired into the bridge pickup makes it's response so much better.
I guess it depends on what you are looking to accomplish. The devices are are so very very different. The Sustainiac can do things that the EBow can't and the EBow can do many things that the Sustainiac can't.
Beautiful video! Original E-Bow wins Imho. Joyo is basically a knock off at a slightly cheaper price. The Aeon is a bit different but it cost as much as the original and - as I see - is much more difficult to operate. The smooth passage from a string to the other is a no-negotiable feature. I love my trusty E-Bow Plus!
If you read through the comments, you will see that I tried it both directions. I much prefer this orientation. Much easier to hold and string switch - more like the EBow.
Cool sound. Now I know how To get that bohemian rhapsody sound, except I don’t wanna play my guitar with an Office Depot stapler. But quick!!! Someone invent a device that fits over all 6 strings simultaneously and then you trigger the strings via breaking the light emanating through a hole at the top to play the string or multiples strings. Somebody invent that. I’ll give you full credit and all the money.
I really love that distorted tone at 12:12 with the Joyo :) first I wanted that Aeon but now I think I will definitely buy the original Ebow or Joyo. Thanks for this video
