# Guitar Effect

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guitar-effect/125799>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [August 27, 2002, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guitar-effect/125799 "2002-08-27T17:34:16Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Spit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/76d3ee/32.png) [@Spit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spit)\
**Post date:** [August 27, 2002, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guitar-effect/125799/1 "2002-08-27T17:34:16Z")

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I was at a concert the other day, and I saw a guitarist use something I had never seen before.

It was a “U” shaped device held in his strumming hand. He held it against the strings, above the pickup, and it made a constant “noise” while he held the frets.

To clarify a bit more: He was right handed, and held this “U” shaped device on its side, in his right hand, while his left hand manipulated the strings normally.

What is this device called?

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**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\
**Post date:** [August 27, 2002, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guitar-effect/125799/2 "2002-08-27T17:40:44Z")

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Sounds like an E-bow to me.

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**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\
**Post date:** [August 27, 2002, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guitar-effect/125799/3 "2002-08-27T17:44:17Z")

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Sorry, meant to write more, but eh…here it is…

You can find info on: [http://www.ebow.com](http://www.ebow.com)

You hear it a bit here and there in rock music. Billy Corgan of the Smashing Pumpkins is particularly fond of it. Makes your guitar sound all “stringy” and stuff…

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**Author:** ![Spit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/76d3ee/32.png) [@Spit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spit)\
**Post date:** [August 27, 2002, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guitar-effect/125799/4 "2002-08-27T17:50:44Z")

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I do believe that is it.

Thanks! 🙂