Author Topic: Which Slide? (Read 3823 times)

rinse_master · « **on:** December 21, 2005, 03:36:25 PM »

I have an old guitar that I am gonna string up with some 13's and use for slide, I had a brass slide a while back but I have lost it.

From what I understand brass is a good slide material, somewhere between glass & ceramic? I am pretty sure I will get a brass one because the other was fine.

The main bit of the question though, should I get a standard flat one or a curved one (it says it is 12"), the majority of my guitars have 12" fingerboards, including the one to be adapted, but is there any downside to using the normal one?

Any thoughts?

HJM · « **Reply #1 on:** December 21, 2005, 09:34:05 PM »

I'm not a slide player, I have a funky Jet slide that I mess around with - that's a good toy!!

As for flat or curved, 12" radius is pretty flat, and when you raise the action you could flatten out the strings further.

5F6-A · « **Reply #2 on:** December 27, 2005, 02:30:24 PM »

Each material has its own trademark tone. I like brass, ceramic and glass but each one sound different. Try some with your guitar to find out for yourself.
BTW, be careful to choose the right thickness ( of the slide ) : too thin and it'll feel flimsy, and wrong. too thick and it'll feel cumbersome and wrong ( again ). Take your time and in the mean time try to get a good tone with whatever you have lying around then choose the best slide for you and play the blues...

HTH AMPS · « **Reply #3 on:** December 28, 2005, 02:02:10 AM »

I always like the tone of brass slides best when I have a guitar setup solely for slide with high-gauge strings. Don't go too heavy with the brass slide either - it may sustain for days that way but its hard to control.

I've got a lightweight 1" chrome slide for electric that has been working fine for many years - its spot on with a cranked amp, but it's not got the 'tone' or sustain that a brass one does if you're playing clean.

Best advice is to buy a few and see what works for you. Theres even a repro Corriciadan bottle slides like Duane Allman famously used... http://www.jimdunlop.com/products/slides/blues/index.html

:twisted:

nineacres · « **Reply #4 on:** December 28, 2005, 02:02:55 PM »

If you ever fancy trying out a glass slide, here's very good site for this sort of thing: http://www.bluemoonbottleneck.co.uk/Slide_Shop.htm I bought one from them and I'm very pleased with it. Personally I feel glass gives a purer sound, but that's just my opinion.

5F6-A · « **Reply #5 on:** December 28, 2005, 03:38:01 PM »

Quote from: HEAVIER THAN HELL

Don't go too heavy with the brass slide either - it may sustain for days that way but its hard to control.:

that's what I meant

this is my guitar just for slide playing

rinse_master · « **Reply #6 on:** December 29, 2005, 07:52:15 PM »

Cool, thanks for the ideas guys 8)