I just got my new Ashbory in the mail, and I've been having a blast with it. I've noticed in the FAQ and on the message board that people have been wondering about using a bow, and that there doesn't seem to be a way because of the low string tension. However, I have found a way to replicate a bowing sound using just the fingers.
Hold your hand so that your arm is over the neck and your fingers are parallel to the strings (I use just my first two fingers for this technique, but if you wanted to get really advanced I suppose you could use a finger per string and do chordal stuff). Fret a note with the left hand, and press lightly on the string with the tip of your finger a few inches from the bridge. Make sure you aren't also fretting the note with your right hand when you do this. Now simply drag your finger along the string towards the bridge. The natural stickiness of the string creates friction with your finger and produces a beautiful, clear tone similar to that of a bowed upright bass or cello. To further emulate the sound, try a little left hand vibrato.
Because the strings must be sticky for this technique, it is actually detrimental to use lubricant on the right hand side of the strings, though a very small amount does not necessarily interfere. If you've already got some on there, wipe it off. Also, because you are going along the length of the string instead of at a right angle as you would with a bow, the duration of your note is limited by how much string length you allow yourself between where you place your finger and the bridge. So it's not as versatile as the real thing, but it's a pretty cool trick and you can get some great sounds out of it, especially when you add pedals to the mix.
Cheers,
Ethan B.
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Topic: cool "bowing" technique for ashbory (Read 2789 times)