How do you set up a guitar for slide, but still have it fun to play?
- Thread starter GuitarStv
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texred
New member
Re: How do you set up a guitar for slide, but still have it fun to play?
Slide is amazing. I have a brass and a glass to try, but perversely haven't given myself permission to try them yet. Something to do with learning chords . . .
Slide is amazing. I have a brass and a glass to try, but perversely haven't given myself permission to try them yet. Something to do with learning chords . . .
texred
New member
Re: How do you set up a guitar for slide, but still have it fun to play?
You don't.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q-HdorsEP3A
You don't.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q-HdorsEP3A
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eclecticsynergy
New member
Re: How do you set up a guitar for slide, but still have it fun to play?
I too prefer glass for on electric.
I have no trouble getting it to work well on .010s but I once tried .095s and it didn't fly, so I figure .010 is the break point for me. I keep my action medium rather than low because I love dynamic range and like being able to dig in and pick hard when I want.
Many modern players (especially guys who shred) seem to prefer action as low as it can go - their guitars tend to be very splatty when I play them, even without a slide. I think the average pick force must be far lower among guys who focus primarily on speed.
I still don't consider my standard to be unusually high. In my heyday medium action was the norm, and I've played some old-timers' guitars whose action was so high I could hardly manage my usual style. IMO with medium action .011s should be pretty easy if you're using a light slide and a reasonably delicate left hand.
I too prefer glass for on electric.
I have no trouble getting it to work well on .010s but I once tried .095s and it didn't fly, so I figure .010 is the break point for me. I keep my action medium rather than low because I love dynamic range and like being able to dig in and pick hard when I want.
Many modern players (especially guys who shred) seem to prefer action as low as it can go - their guitars tend to be very splatty when I play them, even without a slide. I think the average pick force must be far lower among guys who focus primarily on speed.
I still don't consider my standard to be unusually high. In my heyday medium action was the norm, and I've played some old-timers' guitars whose action was so high I could hardly manage my usual style. IMO with medium action .011s should be pretty easy if you're using a light slide and a reasonably delicate left hand.
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Boogie Bill
New member
Re: How do you set up a guitar for slide, but still have it fun to play?
I only do two songs with my band using a slide. G&L Legacy, 12" radius, DF Vibrato, strung with 9-42 Fender Super Bullets.
The slide I use is a Dunlop 280cs, chromed steel, on my pinky. It is small and light. Unfortunately, I think they discontinued this model.
Bill
I only do two songs with my band using a slide. G&L Legacy, 12" radius, DF Vibrato, strung with 9-42 Fender Super Bullets.
The slide I use is a Dunlop 280cs, chromed steel, on my pinky. It is small and light. Unfortunately, I think they discontinued this model.
Bill
GuitarStv
Sock Market Trader
Re: How do you set up a guitar for slide, but still have it fun to play?
That's too bad they discontinued it, I would have checked it out for sure. Decent (small enough) pinky slides seem to be kinda tricky to find . . . and I don't have particularly small fingers. It seems like most of the slides in the music shops around here are built for ring finger folks or guys with massive hands. I actually ended up cutting little bits of cloth tape and filing the inside of the brass slide I've got to get a snug fit.
I've been eyeing the Dunlop Moonshine 243 in our local music store as it seems to be about the right size for pinky use.
That's too bad they discontinued it, I would have checked it out for sure. Decent (small enough) pinky slides seem to be kinda tricky to find . . . and I don't have particularly small fingers. It seems like most of the slides in the music shops around here are built for ring finger folks or guys with massive hands. I actually ended up cutting little bits of cloth tape and filing the inside of the brass slide I've got to get a snug fit.
I've been eyeing the Dunlop Moonshine 243 in our local music store as it seems to be about the right size for pinky use.
Francois
New member
Re: How do you set up a guitar for slide, but still have it fun to play?
But you can order good quality Ceramic slides in any size from Rocky Moutains Slides : for lumberjack middle fingers or young girl pinkies, short or long slides with thick or thin wall and various finishes (the metallic content of the finish changes not only the colour but the also the tone).
One Dunlop Slide is quite good : the Joe Perry signature (bone colour thick porcelain).
But you can order good quality Ceramic slides in any size from Rocky Moutains Slides : for lumberjack middle fingers or young girl pinkies, short or long slides with thick or thin wall and various finishes (the metallic content of the finish changes not only the colour but the also the tone).
One Dunlop Slide is quite good : the Joe Perry signature (bone colour thick porcelain).
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JB_From_Hell
Jomo's Nimions
Re: How do you set up a guitar for slide, but still have it fun to play?
How did I miss a slide thread...
I agree that it's primarily technique, but getting the right slide really matters when you're learning. A current favorite is made by Rock Slide. The inside is tapered, so it's thicker at the end where you're playing, and fits my finger much better. It also has a little notch cut out to let your finger bend.
How did I miss a slide thread...
I agree that it's primarily technique, but getting the right slide really matters when you're learning. A current favorite is made by Rock Slide. The inside is tapered, so it's thicker at the end where you're playing, and fits my finger much better. It also has a little notch cut out to let your finger bend.
GuitarStv
Sock Market Trader
Re: How do you set up a guitar for slide, but still have it fun to play?
FWIW, it ended up being a setup issue. My nut was cut strangely (I think the radius at the nut wasn't matching the fretboard). With a new nut I'm able to play with low(ish) action and cleanly fret notes with the slide.
I mixed up some epoxy, put on a plastic glove, coated the inside of my slide with the epoxy, and then stuck my little finger in. Waited a couple days for everything to cure, and now the slide fits my finger perfectly. It's much easier to control now.
FWIW, it ended up being a setup issue. My nut was cut strangely (I think the radius at the nut wasn't matching the fretboard). With a new nut I'm able to play with low(ish) action and cleanly fret notes with the slide.
I mixed up some epoxy, put on a plastic glove, coated the inside of my slide with the epoxy, and then stuck my little finger in. Waited a couple days for everything to cure, and now the slide fits my finger perfectly. It's much easier to control now.
Aceman
I am your doctor of love!
Re: How do you set up a guitar for slide, but still have it fun to play?
Classic/southern rock band in the 90's. My 'slide' guitar was also one I used on a number of other tunes 9Epi LP Classic w/ CC/PG combo).
I found what worked for me was
- 11 guage strings
- Glass slide
- Just high enough action
- working on my touch; Digging with the pick - not my left hand
Classic/southern rock band in the 90's. My 'slide' guitar was also one I used on a number of other tunes 9Epi LP Classic w/ CC/PG combo).
I found what worked for me was
- 11 guage strings
- Glass slide
- Just high enough action
- working on my touch; Digging with the pick - not my left hand
beaubrummels
Well-known member
Re: How do you set up a guitar for slide, but still have it fun to play?
I use lighter slides with an electric not setup for slide. Either medicine bottle or I once cut a few inches off a chrome cymbal stand and used that as a slide. Made the sound without pressing down on the strings.
Also, it works better with a flatter radius guitar. If there’s <10” arc or so, you’ll be back to having to press too hard for chords, or restricted to single notes at a time.
I use lighter slides with an electric not setup for slide. Either medicine bottle or I once cut a few inches off a chrome cymbal stand and used that as a slide. Made the sound without pressing down on the strings.
Also, it works better with a flatter radius guitar. If there’s <10” arc or so, you’ll be back to having to press too hard for chords, or restricted to single notes at a time.
