3x5 Intro Electric Guitar sound

Hi Everyone! I need some help. What technique does the electric guitar use in the 3x5 intro?

I've added a clip (00:01:18)from the Any Given Thursday concert where you can see the guitarist hovering over the neck pickup with his hand. What does he do? Is he holding something to trigger the pickup sound? I'm very curious. I think it maybe has to do with a pitch shifting pedal as well.

I've tried a pick but that really didn't seem to cut it.

Thanks in advance! 3x5 intro (00:01:18) A fellow Mayer enthousiast.