# What device is this guitarist (Archer Prewitt) using to make this sound? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [October 5, 2007, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-device-is-this-guitarist-archer-prewitt-using-to-make-this-sound/421702 "2007-10-05T23:21:27Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Argent\_Towers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e8c25b/32.png) [@Argent\_Towers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Argent_Towers)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2007, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-device-is-this-guitarist-archer-prewitt-using-to-make-this-sound/421702/1 "2007-10-05T23:21:27Z")
I was watching some videos on Youtube of The Sea and Cake playing a show at a place called the Sound Fix. In [this video (The Biz)](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=79-HCT16LtY) guitarist Archer Prewitt is using some kind of small black device to produce a long, sustained note which sounds similar to a synthesizer. It sounds just like Robert Fripp’s guitar part on _Matte Kudasai_ by King Crimson - I wonder if it is the same kind of device. Any other Sea and Cake fans here? And is John McIntire the most badass looking drummer ever, or what? ---
**Author:** ![pravnik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/8edcca/32.png) [@pravnik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pravnik)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2007, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-device-is-this-guitarist-archer-prewitt-using-to-make-this-sound/421702/2 "2007-10-05T23:33:20Z")
Looks like an [ebow](http://www.ebow.com/ebow/brochure.htm). Infinite sustain. ---
**Author:** ![Argent\_Towers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e8c25b/32.png) [@Argent\_Towers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Argent_Towers)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2007, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-device-is-this-guitarist-archer-prewitt-using-to-make-this-sound/421702/3 "2007-10-05T23:38:48Z")
Wow, that’s cool. Thanks. Also what kind of guitar is he playing? ---
**Author:** ![pravnik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/8edcca/32.png) [@pravnik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pravnik)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2007, 11:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-device-is-this-guitarist-archer-prewitt-using-to-make-this-sound/421702/4 "2007-10-05T23:46:21Z")
You bet. His guitar looks like a [Danelectro U2](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Danelectro_U2). ---
**Author:** ![Carson\_O\_Genic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/cdc98d/32.png) [@Carson\_O\_Genic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carson_O_Genic)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2007, 6:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-device-is-this-guitarist-archer-prewitt-using-to-make-this-sound/421702/5 "2007-10-06T06:22:16Z")
Yes,an E-bow. I have never seen or heard Bob Fripp use one.More likely Peter’s Pedal Harmonium or some derivation thereof. ---
**Author:** ![Hoops](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hoops/32/6408_2.png) [@Hoops](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hoops)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2007, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-device-is-this-guitarist-archer-prewitt-using-to-make-this-sound/421702/6 "2007-10-06T15:39:09Z")
Incidentally, Fripp plays the clean arpeggiated guitar on Matte Kudasai; Adrian Belew plays the solos. [Matte Kudasai](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=izYUAq123ys) (YouTube) ---
**Author:** ![kennymfg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b3f665/32.png) [@kennymfg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kennymfg)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2018, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-device-is-this-guitarist-archer-prewitt-using-to-make-this-sound/421702/7 "2018-08-18T01:58:43Z")
> [@Argent\_Towers](#): > > I was watching some videos on Youtube of The Sea and Cake playing a show at a place called the Sound Fix. In [this video (The Biz)](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=79-HCT16LtY) guitarist Archer Prewitt is using some kind of small black device to produce a long, sustained note which sounds similar to a synthesizer. It sounds just like Robert Fripp’s guitar part on _Matte Kudasai_ by King Crimson - I wonder if it is the same kind of device. > > Any other Sea and Cake fans here? > > And is John McIntire the most badass looking drummer ever, or what? I saw The Sea and Cake last night and was wondering about that guitar piece Archer Prewitt was using too such a cool sound thought it was like a slide I’m not a musician. They rock Tortoise too check them out ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2018, 3:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-device-is-this-guitarist-archer-prewitt-using-to-make-this-sound/421702/8 "2018-08-18T03:28:30Z")
There was also [The Gizmo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Gizmo) which bowed the strings of a guitar or bass mechanically. It was invented by Godley and Creme of 10CC fame; their album _Consequences_ was supposed to be a showcase for the device. Jimmy Page also used it recording _In Through The Out Door_. The Gizmo was a unique idea with potential but due to manufacturing problems it was never really ready for prime time. ---
**Author:** ![MacDuff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/macduff/32/482_2.png) [@MacDuff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MacDuff)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2018, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-device-is-this-guitarist-archer-prewitt-using-to-make-this-sound/421702/9 "2018-08-18T22:09:18Z")
It’s actually a Dano-style Jerry Jones guitar. That company doesn’t exist anymore because the owner retired a while ago.