Extended Technique: Can you bow a guitar?

Hi.

I was wondering whether it was possible to bow a guitar. I know it's probably not easy since there's no curved bridge like that of a viol, and the strings are looser. And i know the guitar would be physically difficult to bow since it wasn't meant for that, i.e. how would you hold it?

Also, I expect that the strings would be metal, not nylon.

Still, if anyone has tried it, or knows that it's been done can you let me know? Also if you have a recording of it (even one that only has one or two notes being played) could you upload it or link me to it?

Thanks!!!

In short; Yes.

It can be done on electric, steel string and nylon "classical" guitars. The best results however come from the steel strings but you're expecting steel over nylon anyway.

The best and most famous recording I can give you is of Jimmy Page (Guitarist of Led Zeppelin for those who don't know)

As you see, he's using it both as a bow and to produce the sound as if the strings were strummed or plucked. It's surprisingly easy to do as well, however the hairs of the bow get torn up like mad.

I have tried that before with a Gibson Les Paul.. the thing is that you can get the 1st and the 6th string fine .. but when you aim for the others.. you will hit all your strings.. and it isn't always very convenient ..

I've tried this also with a 4 strings bass .. it was awful !!!

well if you can find out an other technique let us know ;)

I'd think the only way to get the other strings besides the first and sixth is to rework the guitar itself, which would be a pain. Now I'm curious if they make guitars that have a curved bridge.

In short; Yes.

It can be done on electric, steel string and nylon "classical" guitars. The best results however come from the steel strings but you're expecting steel over nylon anyway.

The best and most famous recording I can give you is of Jimmy Page (Guitarist of Led Zeppelin for those who don't know)

As you see, he's using it both as a bow and to produce the sound as if the strings were strummed or plucked. It's surprisingly easy to do as well, however the hairs of the bow get torn up like mad.

Thanks, JohnPax! this is exactly what I needed to know!

Thanks, JohnPax! this is exactly what I needed to know!

There's also a device called an ebow that might produce the effect you're looking for. It doesn't work with nylon strings, though.

Happy to help Migg :)

I'd think the only way to get the other strings besides the first and sixth is to rework the guitar itself, which would be a pain. Now I'm curious if they make guitars that have a curved bridge.

I've never heard of a guitar with a curved bridge and nut, like a violin/viola etc - that said, it would be a fairly simple custom job to get one.

On some guitars, the actual bridge has the little screws to change string height and intonation (like the Gibson Les Pauls).. so really, given the guitar has a very large range offered here (the Gibson doesn't mind you), you could have the arc like shape of strings above the bass pick up and then the nice level shape over the majority of the fret board. I would say some Jackson models or other guitars more designed for metal would be able to do this.

That's however, not what Jimmy Page did.

I also own an ebow - I would advise against purchasing it.

Why is that? They're 100$ for one...but, what trouble did you run into with yours? I've been thinking about getting one for awhile.

Why is that? They're 100$ for one...but, what trouble did you run into with yours? I've been thinking about getting one for awhile.

Mine was around $120AU if I recall correctly and I'm yet to find a use for it. Not only that, but the sounds it produces are just boring/stupid in my opinion.

Ebows are interesting but pointless. I could never get it to do what i want.

The two big things with this is bridge shape and string choice.

You want to have flatwound strings, especially with a bass guitar, lest you chew up your hair.

There are curved-bridge guitars, but to mod a guitar involves building the fretboard to accommodate the curve or to just not use certain strings above a certain point but for harmonics.

Ebows are useful for post-rock and its variants. Fun stuff