Slides, and capos ...

K

Kent S.

Volume Enhanceologist
Just thought I'd ask, what type of slides (for those of us that do use them)
do you use glass, brass, steel, ceramic, porcealin (sp?), bone, etc. Weight and thickness, long or shorties. And for what (as far as getting different type tones in relation to different type slides (metal, glass, etc.), what pup combos, and string gauges. Also what are some of the better capos that you have used and why did you like them or not. This is a topic that really doesn't get addressed much ... so how about it guys and girls ... gimme some examples. I personally will use a light weight brass slide, glass (medium weight), and a medium weight steel slide, slightly shorter than the standard length glass, the brass is also a bit shorter. Mainly slightly overdriven, bridge HB or neck HB sometimes. Selection of slide type is just really a personal thing, not set in stone. I use .008's and as such have a very light touch, it's certainly not the best gauge for a *big river* tone, but I like it. The tone control comes in handy for fine tuning it,especially with the steel slide.
Capos ... well, I like the idea, but I've never found one that I've liked, suggestions?
 
Re: Slides, and capos ...

I like the Shubb Capo better than anything else I've used. I gave my Kaiser away...just didn't compare to the Shubb and it'd buzz sometimes.

As for slides: I use glass, brass and steel. I use them all.

I like the tone of brass, but it's heavy.

I like the lightweight of glass but it does take a little more pressure to avoid buzzing...and the tone is a little less full than brass.

Steel's right in the middle.

I use the Dunlap slides for the most part.

Curly sent me some really cool COROCIDAN bottle replica slides a couple of months ago...been using those lately. Very nice too!

The surface of the Coricidan bottle slides is a little uneven which gives the tone a nice texture.

Lew
 
Re: Slides, and capos ...

I would like to be a little more specific as to my opinions about slides. On Acoustic instruments I prefer the sound, tone and feel of the Dunlop mudslides. These are porclean slides. The negative of these slides is the Inside diameter is not consistant, so you have to be careful to make sure that the slide fits comfortably. I wear the slide on my ring finger.
For electric I don't see much of a difference in slides. Once the volume gets up it really becomes more of an effect than a tone thing. As far as pickups are concerned, I have used stock Tele's, stock strats, LP, SG, etc.. Just recently I borrowed a friend of mines custom made guitar (Mirabella Diablo). It is a solid Mahogony guitar with 2 P90 antiquitys in it. I would say at this point it is the best sound I have for slide. I also use about 6 different tunings for slide as well. Some standards as G, D, A and E, but I also have come up with some unusual tunings for some of the Acoustic work I do. I use a Bb sus2nd, and a C sus4th tuning that are very haunting in nature.
I have experimented with many different types of Capos as well. Although Shubb, Pearse and the Bird Capo thingy are all good the Capo I prefer is called a Hamilton Fret spanner. It is a very wide Capo so it can't be used on the 1st fret, but because of it's width it is very stable. It has a thick rubber edge that actually clamps the string to the fret not the finger board, so it is always clamped in tune. The negative to this Capo is it has to be opened, repositioned and then screwed down again. They also have a quick clamp version of this but I have not been able to find them.
 
Re: Slides, and capos ...

I use a Dunlop 215, "medium pyrex glass slide" ... I have sort of small hands, though ...
the heavy sides give a nice smooth fat tone .. it's important to match the inside diameter to your finger

I think Clapton uses something similar, though that's not why I use 'em - I found the right one for me after looking for a long time. I've used the Dunlop chromes, tried the Lowell George thing, copper tubing (not bad, actually). I've thought about getting another chrome slide since I've been listening to some old Little Feat lately. :D

the Coricidin's I sent Lew are kind of a medium size, and I found they're good for picking out single notes, whereas the heavy glass Dunlop is great for chords, like "Elmo' style" :)

really, I think it's a matter of matching the right type of slide with the instrument, and the style of music and playing you're doing

I also agree that P90's sound great for slide playing - my Hamer GoldTop has P90's, and it's not one of my favorites for regular style playing, but excels at slide


I have the Keyser capo, though I have a feeling the Shubb might be better.
 
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Re: Slides, and capos ...

For slides, I have tons of them. I have some real cordicidin medicine bottles that my grandmother collected, that I like to use when my band and I play AAB. I also use a Dunlop brass slide, it's not that heavy, and I get some really nice tones out of it. I have about 6 of those brass ones, I kinda loose 'em like picks. As for pickup combo's, I mostly play slide on the Sunburst/vintage Fenders & hotrails strat.
 
Re: Slides, and capos ...

i use the dunlop medium pyrex 215 glass one, right now, because its the only slide if bought to date. it gets better tones on the acoustic, but my electric is set up too low for good slide playing. as i get better at slide im gonna try to pick up more slides.....
 
Re: Slides, and capos ...

The capo I use and swear by is the Dunlop Trigger capo. Fast, easy, and effective.

I played my friend's steel slide, but it sounded thin, metallic and clanky with my electric.
 
Re: Slides, and capos ...

I find glass slides don't sound "good" to my ears ... plus after stepping on one I decided it might be a good idea to switch to Brass
 
Re: Slides, and capos ...

Thanks for the replies so far! Good stuff, I lean more toward the brass for it's mids, and glass for a mellower tone , hey Prophet, don't feel bad, the first time I got a glass slide I dropped it on the kitchen foolr and broke it ... :smack: . The brass I have is actually cut down brass tubing from a place I worked for a while, I had a bunch, now I'm down to one ...
I only do electric with the slide, and generally will use DADGAD, G, or E, occasionally I'll go cross note with Em7 for something different, mostly standard tuning, and used as an add on so to speak.
I've got one of those steel (chrome) knuckle slides, but found that to be a bit of a hassle, they do have one that's called the shy slide that is a half-cut slide with a velcro strap to hold it to your finger. Anyone ever play with one of those, if so how was it, did it interfere with normal chording like the knuckle slide does?
How was that Copper slide? Tonally I mean.
Also how many of you use a dedicated guitar set-up for slide? referring to a higher action and heavier strings than your normal non-slide guitars.
The trigger capos are just ugly, but the others are a hassle, we used to sell the crap out of the shubbs though, those and the Renaissance capo, kyser one hands came in next.
Anyone ever use the roller capo (forget who makes it), in theory your supposed to be able to push against the back of it to release the tension and roll it anywhere you need it and set it into place, including rolling it up over the nut out of the way (off the fingerboard) ... Anybody experiment with one?
One last thing Beandip ... That gA-30 you have mention in your sig, I used to have an old Gibson G-30 or GA-30 (I can't remember the model) amp, a 1x12 combo, 30 watts S.S. ... volume, reverb, treble, bass, speed, and intensity, hi and lo input, a three position power switch (polarity reversal), and a reverb/tremolo footswitch jack on the back. That wouldn't be the same creature would it? :saeek:
 
Re: Slides, and capos ...

Kent S. said:
How was that Copper slide? Tonally I mean.
Click to expand...
It sounded warm, as far as I can remember ... it was just some copper tubing I found lying in the bottom of a SF Super Reverb I had ... could even be lying around here somewhere :sad:

anyway, you can make one from copper tubing as found at a plumbing supply, or Home Depot... just cut to length and deburr the ends :D

I've tried making slides from wine bottles without much luck, but I'm sure with the right tools it could be done, and of course, the homemade ones have more mojo ;)
 
Re: Slides, and capos ...

I've tried making slides from wine bottles without much luck, but I'm sure with the right tools it could be done, and of course, the homemade ones have more mojo ;)[/QUOTE]

The best way I've been able to "make" a slide is to use a wet saw. If you have access to this tool, it is real easy. Just wear gloves and saftey glasses in the event it breaks while you are cutting the glass. Once the glass has been cut the edges will need to be sanded smooth. I like to use wet/dry paper using lots of water, and again wear gloves while doing this or the glass can punch through te paper and give you a real nasty cut. Today with the amount of real good quality slides available it doesn't make sense to make your own unless you are doing it for the "mojo" factor! There is a Company in the UK who makes slides from lead crystal. I cannot remember the name of them,. If I can find the name I will post it here.
 
Re: Slides, and capos ...

Shubb Capo all the way. I use a capo a lot and this one NEVER puts my axe out of tune. I have another one around but I'm not sure what it's called? It basically has a nylon strap that wraps around the back of the neck and a plastic piece that calmps over the top of the capo. Anyway.... it's a piece of crap. I have to re-tune once I put it on. Meanwhile, I can play all night with the Shubb in different positions and never have a problem!
 
Re: Slides, and capos ...

Kent, no its not. This thing is a 52, all tube, with a 12 and 10 inch speaker. There are three knobs. Mic volume, Instrument volume, and Tone (just like that on guitar, a treblebleed)
 
Re: Slides, and capos ...

don't use slides i dont even know how to use them properly.

for capos i use a dunlop trigger capo. prety good its apperntally for only acoustics but i use it for both me strat andmy acoustic works fine to me. Easy to put on and stays.
 
Re: Slides, and capos ...

I am a terrible, awful slide player, but I must admit I don't really like the way a slide guitar sounds. I have a Dunlop Trigger capo, which is nice, but it is better to just learn to transpose keys. I never use it now.
 
Re: Slides, and capos ...

They're all good...I own jillions of slides.

You just have to buy a bunch and try 'em all...


Lew
 
Re: Slides, and capos ...

For capo...all Shubb Capo's.
For electric I mainly use glass, and for acoustic I use a Sliderite made of brass, sometimes I use one for lapsteel and use my guitars as a lapsteel.
But I am rusty in using a slide, but a few hours practise would probally bring it back.
 
Re: Slides, and capos ...

Mincer said:
I am a terrible, awful slide player, but I must admit I don't really like the way a slide guitar sounds. I have a Dunlop Trigger capo, which is nice, but it is better to just learn to transpose keys. I never use it now.
Click to expand...
Please note that I'm not referring to the normal, too lazy to transpose.... I'm talking about voicings that can't be transposed any other way. I like the trigger style, but they look stupid, plus you have to actually take them off and on. That's whhy I was thinking about that Roller capo, as that is supposed to be able to be rolled up out of the way (behind the nut), it's always there when you need it. Just wondering if anyone had any experience with one. Thanks.
 
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