Getting started with ambient guitar

[Negative Spectrum]

I decided to blow the dust of my old SG and start messing around with trying to create soundscapes. I was wondering if anyone can recommend some good effects chains to use?

[S1gnsOfL1fe]

To start with, there are some really good suggestions in this thread:

http://www.ambientonline.org/forum/showthread.php?712-Ambient-Drone-in-Guitar-Rig

And the mega guitar thread here:

http://www.ambientonline.org/forum/showthread.php?1645-Guitarists!-Let-s-talk-about-your-axe-rig

Cheers,
-S1gns

[johny_gtr]

Hardware of Software?
As for HW - volume pedal, compressor (sustain), reverb (Digitech HW or WET are cheap and good), delay (Line DL4 still rocks and used cheap or TC Flashback), EHX POG/POG2

[tonecarver]

Not an effect per se, but the ebow is a definite consideration for a soundscapey guitar setup.
http://www.ebow.com/home.php (I see it is discussed in the thread that S1gns linked to)

Also, consider using alternate means of initiating string vibration: metal or glass slide, wrench/spanner, knurled dentistry tools, smooth polished stones, pencil taps, etc. (I always thought it would be cool to have a high pressure air source to sort of blow across the strings to get them vibrating. Couldn't think of a way to do that without a noisy air pump though...) And there is the 'prepared guitar' approach of threading things into the strings (like paper clips, kalimba tines, etc) or clipping things (like alligator clips) onto the strings to produce non-typical sounds.

For HW, a wah pedal could be useful for slow eq sweeps and looper pedals are great for layering soundscapes.

Really, just about any effect could be used for soundscaping if it is applied with care and true expression.

[seismic1]

..... knurled dentistry tools......

Is it safe?

[tonecarver]

..... knurled dentistry tools......

Is it safe?

Sure Just be sure to keep the sharp parts away from the guitar. Maybe I should have said knurl-handled dental tools, or really any knurled surface could be used. Running the knurling along the strings can make an interesting scrapey/gratey/skitchy metallic sound. Some of the factors that affect the sound are the type of strings you have (flat or round wound), the size and density of the knurling on the handle, and the amount of pressure that is applied while dragging. Cool to use in combination with an ebow for sustains and occasional spikes of soundscape.

[seismic1]

Not that I'm particularly hot on HSE or anything like that.

Thanks very much for the clarification

I was thinking more along these lines:-

[Negative Spectrum]

Is there some sort of cheap alternative to an ebow?

[tonecarver]

Not that I'm particularly hot on HSE or anything like that.

Thanks very much for the clarification

I was thinking more along these lines:-

better those tools in the hands of an ambient artist than those of that interrogator, methinks.

[regonsch]

A rough slide will do some ebow like sounds. Well, actually any kind of old rusty metal tool is usable, the more mass, the more sustain!
You can hear it in the last half of this track and see if it's close to what you're after.
https://soundcloud.com/westernskiesmotel/desert-road


You just vibrate it on the strings and they'll start resonating. You'll have to mute unwanted strings or tune the guitar for the specific harmonies you're after. You'll need to play with some gain/OD/compressing for it to work properly.
Another technique is to use a brush to vibrate the strings. Maybe check out the work of Fred Frith. He uses a lot of strange preparations and extended playing techniques. Could be interesting to translate some of his ideas into a more ambient tone.

[tonecarver]

Is there some sort of cheap alternative to an ebow?

Not that I have found. Maybe check the used markets in your area?

You could use an actual violin or cello bow on the guitar. Doesn't have to be a fancy one. You have to add some rosin to the bow (for grip) which gums up the strings a bit and can make the guitar messy, but it is a lot of fun to do

[GaryG]

volume pedal

I'd say #1 on the hardware side of things. I messed around for years with Slow Gear type effects but ultimately nothing beats creating swells yourself, so much more organic.

As for bows, yay! Not something I've personally found much use for (it's me, not you ) but I love the sound of someone doing it right:

The sound jonsi gets starting around 1:45 just floors me.

[seismic1]

These are more expensive options:-

http://www.vibesware.com/

http://www.fernandesguitarshop.co.uk/product/dragonfly-elite/

http://www.andertons.co.uk/solid-body-electric-guitars/pid32774/cid671/schecter-hellraiser-c1-fr-s-in-black-cherry.asp?LGWCODE=32774;56375;2717&utm_source=googlebase&utm_term=1826&utm_medium=pricecomp&utm_campaign=GoogleShopping&gclid=CLeD1q2L7MICFTHMtAod6UcAaQ

Just waiting for that lottery win now....

[GaryG]

Well if you're talking silly money:

though sadly discontinued....

[Guest]

I use the jackson dinky DK2S for sustaining pickups - no longer made but you'd be able to get one cheap secondhand. Or just get the install from http://www.sustainiac.com/ Used on the following, guitar only, DI'd https://soundcloud.com/greghooper/closer-to-the-end
I don't think bows are a good idea - the guitar is not really shaped for them (and the rosin on the strings is a drag)