For those who do not know, the EBow is an electronic device used for playing string instruments, most often the electric guitar. It was invented by Greg Heet in 1969, introduced in 1976 and patented in 1978.

The EBow uses a pickup in an inductive string driver feedback circuit, including a sensor coil, driver coil, and amplifier, to induce forced string vibrations. The EBow is monophonic, and drives one string at a time, producing a sound reminiscent of using a bow on the strings.

The name EBow stands for "Electronic Bow" or Energy Bow (often spelled E-bow in common usage).

Although the EBow alone cannot produce any sound, I see it as an instrument or technique on it's own. Along with a fretless instrument, in my case a fretless electric guitar, it can be used to create very interesting and exotic atmospheres but also can be used to interpret music in a very distinct and original way.

I have used it extensively both in recording and live performance and it sounds always very refreshing. Being myself a plucked string instrumentalist the ebow allows me to experiment with long sustained notes which is very helpful and inspiring in musical composition.