Slides

[JB_From_Hell]

What do you guys use, and why?

I use a Dunlop medium wall brass slide, because that's what I have I'm getting really into slide, and am looking for advice on what to buy next. I've used a bunch of different ones (steel, coricidin bottles (real & repro), porcelain, ceramic), but not recently enough to remember what I liked or disliked about each.

I like the brass slide, but would like to get something a little smoother sounding. My favorite slide tone is Warren Haynes. Typically, I use the neck pickup with the tone rolled back a little, trying to emulate his tone. I just saw a picture of Duane Allman using the bridge pickup with all controls on 10, so I'm guessing Coricidin bottles have a significantly mellower tone.

The one thing I do remember about the bottles is moisture buildup after not too long, and it would soften the callous on my ring finger.

 

[J Moose]

Re: Slides

I've got an assortment of latch lake slides here...

Love 'em.

Helps that Jeff Roberts is a good buddy! :friday:

http://latchlakemusic.com/

Warren's using dunlop glass slides.

I prefer the bottles myself... but I'm also not much of a slide player.

 

[the guy who invented fire]

Re: Slides

Coricidin bottles are on the thin side and because of it they have a bright tone w/o too much natureal sustain...I know that seems odd being that's what Skydog used but he was the master!

I use lots of different slides...brass, steel, glass, pyrex but my fav is a stubby enamel coated slide...I have no idea how made it or what it is under the coating but I love it!

 

[kmcguitars]

Re: Slides

Coricidin bottles work best for me. The main trick is to find one that fits you best. The better the fit, the better control you will have. That's my issue with porcelain and ceramic slides. They are to clunky and hard to control. You want to glide across the strings without worry of hitting frets. I never tried Brass, but for the life of me I don't know how guys like Lowell George got good results using metal slides(In his case a 11/16 deep craftsman socket) Any time I've used metal I got that cats fighting in the alley sounds.
I'm gonna have to check out one of them flips slides. I think George Harrison used them. He was underrated as a slide player, But he would be in my top 10 of slide players.

 

[Pete Galati]

Re: Slides

I'm currently using one of those Dunlop brass slides. I have one of their glass slides, one of their Coricidin bottle knockoffs, and a newer version of the Craftsman 11/16" socket that Lowell George used. The 11/16" socket has great sustain, but the action is too close on most of my guitars to use it, and the weight makes it a little tedious to play. Keeps your movements slow though!

The Dunlop brass slide got a lot better when I polished it with 0000 steelwool. I've used rubbing compound with similar results.

I have a steel slide that I bought about 25 or so years ago, and I have no idea who made it. But it's the same size as the brass slide, and has a much brighter sound.

Warren is using a Coricidin bottle in this clip:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pDWoUfd6dgs

I don't have a clue if that's a real one or not. I need to find a smaller one.

Pete

 

[JB_From_Hell]

Re: Slides

Coricidin bottles are on the thin side and because of it they have a bright tone w/o too much natureal sustain...I know that seems odd being that's what Skydog used but he was the master!

My dad has a real Coricidin, plus a knockoff, and I think the reasons you stated are why I bought a brass slide. Have you ever used one of the thick wall bottles? Seems like that could be pretty cool.

 

[CapoFirstFret]

Re: Slides

I have a dark glass one that is cut from a real bottleneck. There's a company (which I can't remember the name of) which does it and every slide is unique so you really have to play a bunch of them to find the one that is right for you. I freakin love this one and I've already had to replace one because the other got broken. I go into the shop every now and again that I bought this in and try out their newest shipment so that i can snag another one, but haven't found another that really felt right yet. I'm a huge fan of brass and glass though.

I just bought me a new guitar JUST for playing slide that I'm gonna be posting pics of real soon. It's a no name guitar but it's GREAT for slide. Two humbuckers, the bridge bucker is angled. Action is naturally high (it's as low as it gets right now and it's the PERFECT height for slide) with a wrap around tail piece. It's a great guitar and I only paid $100 for it I'll get pics up soon

 

[bungalowbill]

Re: Slides

I know a trick for the corricidan bottles. Fill up the bottle about 3/4 of the way full with melted wax and just before it sets stick your slide playing finger in it.

The wax adds weight and customizes the fit of the slide to your finger.



A word of caution...the wax can burn your finger if you aren't careful.

 

[JB_From_Hell]

Re: Slides

^ cool Joe, that's an awesome idea. I'm gonna get ahold of a bottle and try it. Is there any sort of wax that's better than others?

Seems like that would work for any slide, if you covered the end while adding the wax....

 

[bungalowbill]

Re: Slides

I used an old candle because the wax sets harder, but I suppose the stuff they sell in the grocery store for canning would work.

I bet you have an old candle lying around.

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Slides

I've got a jillion of them.

I like glass best and use a couple of custom hand made (or hand blown???) glass slides I picked up at the Dallas Guitar Show. Those can't be replaced so they stay at home.

I use a copy of the Coricidan Bottle slide when I gig...I have a few of those that Curly gave me.

Lew

 

[J Moose]

Re: Slides

Sometimes I'll grab an old preamp tube & use that as a slide...

Cup it between index & ring fingers, it's 'back' in the middle finger for control.

Yeilds an interesting tone...

 

[JB_From_Hell]

Re: Slides

I like the coricidan bottle, but the only problem is the humidity issue. Do you guys think I could get away with putting a small hole in the end, to let it breathe? I'm pretty surprised they don't make them with a tiny hole, seems like I can't be the only one with this problem.

Hey Joe, does the wax affect the humidity problem?

 

[bungalowbill]

Re: Slides

I like the coricidan bottle, but the only problem is the humidity issue. Do you guys think I could get away with putting a small hole in the end, to let it breathe? I'm pretty surprised they don't make them with a tiny hole, seems like I can't be the only one with this problem.

Hey Joe, does the wax affect the humidity problem?

I believe it should....the air trapped around a hot finger would make the bottle sweat.

You could put a small hole in the end with a tiny drill bit.

 

[JB_From_Hell]

Re: Slides

You could put a small hole in the end with a tiny drill bit.

I figured I'd borrow a ceramic tile bit from work and try that. Do you think I'd be better off using the drill press at work? I've never drilled glass before.

 

[bungalowbill]

Re: Slides

I figured I'd borrow a ceramic tile bit from work and try that. Do you think I'd be better off using the drill press at work? I've never drilled glass before.

I never drilled glass, either.....I would look at the DIY sites and see if there is a primer.

 

[JB_From_Hell]

Re: Slides

Hmmm... yeah, I think I'm gonna research it a bit before I shatter a $15 slide. What I'll probably do is drill the holes (seems like several would be best), stick a toothpick or something in them, pour in the wax, then remove the toothpicks.