Nels Noise Question

[opsopcopolis]

So, I've been wondering recently (and I forgot to ask him) how Nels does his nonstop noise/feedback stuff. He has something that looks kind of like a screwdriver that he presses against the strings (I noticed it at the beginning of Dawned on Me in Boston last week). At first I thought maybe it was an EBow type of thing, but that wouldn't make that type of noise without some further help.

Anybody know?

[lamradio]

It's an battery-powered drink stirrer.

 

 

 

If you really want to do some geeking out, check out this site:

 

http://www.nelscline.com/tech.html

 

I think it's a little outdated as he's aquired more toys since then, but it's still a very cool site for us gear geeks.

[opsopcopolis]

like this kinda thing but without the bottom part?

 

How does that cause feedback like that (am I getting into physics here? haha)

[lamradio]

It's similar to that but I think it's the model with the plastic stirrer, so it bends back and forth. For some reason that gas powered dildo from The Naked Gun just popped in my head.

 

The stirrer will vibrate back and forth on the strings creating a constant sound.. Combine that with lots of distortion and feedback and you have your Nels Noise.

[opsopcopolis]

haha yeah, its too similar.

But thanks for the answer. I never would've thought it was something like that. The suddenness of it made me think it was putting out some sort of frequency

[choo-choo-charlie]

Plus he's got a few pedals. Just a few.

[opsopcopolis]

according to the gear interview he uses a spring