How Do Guitar Sustainers Work? | Ebow and AEON

to infinity and beyond…

Eternal sustain may seem like nothing more than a Spinal Tap joke, but with the use of a handheld string sustainer infinite notes are only the beginning.

The Ebow was first introduced in 1976 as a device that could drive a guitar string into everlasting vibration and allow the player to emulate the sound of a violin bow being drawn across the strings. By moving the device in relation to the guitar’s neck pickup one can generate volume swells and tremolo effects, with enough practice it’s possible to create some very convincing tones more commonly associated with violins and cellos.

More recently TC Electronic released their Aeon Infinite Sustainer, a modern redesign with a far more powerful action, capable of persuading even thick bass strings to vibrate.

While it may seem like magic that a guitar string could be made to vibrate forever, with a little science and some simple electronics knowledge the impossible becomes reality.
The video above outlines the 3 simple components that are at the heart of guitar sustaining systems and illustrates how devices like the Ebow use them to create one of the most expressive effects around.