Buddy with Darrell McCall - Ebow?

[Travis Bubenik]

This an Ebow Buddy's using here right? Looks really big when he picks it up - you can barely see it in the video. Anyway - super cool. Anyone got other vids or pics of Buddy using it?

https://youtu.be/k3Khzq9zfkg?si=oLJD970ThQveurUG&t=117

[Jeremy Reeves]

yeah hard to make it out, could be the two-string ebow

[Travis Bubenik]

yeah hard to make it out, could be the two-string ebow

I think you're right! Hadn't heard about these before but reading up now - here's a pic b0b posted in an old thread - sure looks like what Buddy's using in that clip:




https://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtop ... 70e830690e

[Frank Freniere]

Buddy reaches for the EBow at about 2:00:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXdPDrCXMdg

[Travis Bubenik]

Buddy reaches for the EBow at about 2:00:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXdPDrCXMdg

Yes!! Thank you - that's amazing

[Ernie Renn]

Buddy used a single eBow. The one Travis posted is a double. It was mainly for steel guitar.

Here’s a video of Albert Svenddal using a double.
https://youtu.be/d-2IZox9tYc?si=PH8aW1AaSPeXzSsg

The originals turned on by putting the unit on the string. The single came in a leather pouch/sheath for storage. The originals were chrome colored. Later models were black and then dark gray.


I almost got Buddy’s eBow. We agreed to a trade for one that I bought that had a two way switch and I’d always turn it the wrong way. I told him about it and that I would like to find an original one. I finally convinced him that if he needed to use one he could easily get by with the new one, but I had to do it on the fly so he agreed to swap. I sent mine down to him. Sadly he left us a few weeks later. My eBow was sold at the estate sale, along with a bunch of other stuff. I just had no way to get down there or to show it was actually my stuff. It is what it is…

[Terry Wood]

Yes that's Buddy using the E-Bow mid to late 1970s.

I first heard him use it on the song titled "Once Upon a Time in The West." It was at Scotty's Steel Guitar Convention in St. Louis. We were all captivated and amazed. But of course, Buddy Emmons always did that. He was so musically gifted and such an innovator. He was always experimenting searching for something new and creative for Steel Guitar.

Shortly after that exposure, I went out and purchased an E-bow effects unit. As best as I can remember it cost around $240 at that time. Quite an expense around 1977. That was about two weeks wages for me at that time, I was working at a H.D. Blue jeans factory in those days. Funny looking back. I learned to use it, but never played it live on stage with a band. I traded it off to another Steel Guitar enthusiast at the time.

Maurice Anderson another Great Steel Guitarist, also used an E-Bow and on his "Universal Gospel Steel Guitar L.P." that was recorded around 1979. Reece and I were friends for 35 years and I greatly admired and cherished our friendship.

Both Buddy Emmons and Reece Anderson were simply put, both Master Musicians, Steel Guitarists and Innovators. I miss their Great Music and them very much!

Thanks for posting this and reminding me of two of the Masters of our instrument!

Terry Wood
Steel Guitarist

[Ron Funk]

BE also typically used his single string E-bow for a verse on Mansion On The Hill.

They’re a great little gizmo….when used appropriately.

PS: a bass player friend of mine said when he heard the E-bow being used on PSG, ‘reminds me of someone playing a saw’……!!