S
smythology
New member
whats a good bluesy slide guitar...
also...metal slide? glass slide?
tanx
robin
also...metal slide? glass slide?
tanx
robin
T
the tallman
New member
High action and heavy gauge strings on any guitar will make for or good slide guitar. Muddy Waters used a Tele, Duanne Allman, a Strat, Elmore James a Gibson or something like that. Basically, whatever pops your cork.
64Firebird
New member
the tallman is right about the strings and action.
A lot of times, cheap guitars sound great for playing slide (Hounddog Tayler). Another thing to think about is the shape of the fretboard. Some are very flat while others are more round. For slide, you'll want a flat fretboard.
About differant types of slides, if you're going to play electric, you'll really need a glass one. The metal ones sound good until you start to play loud and then you start to get a raspy sound. With glass, it's not a problem. I like the heavy ones with a thick wall.
On the other hand, if your playing accoustic, I'd suggest a heavy brass slide. You can't whip it around as fast, but it's a lot less work to get a clear sound.
One more thing, if your just starting out, put the slide on your little finger and let your other fingers lay on the strings behind the slide. This will reduce a lot of excess noise and give you a good clear sound. Keep in mind, this is one finger fretless guitar.
A lot of times, cheap guitars sound great for playing slide (Hounddog Tayler). Another thing to think about is the shape of the fretboard. Some are very flat while others are more round. For slide, you'll want a flat fretboard.
About differant types of slides, if you're going to play electric, you'll really need a glass one. The metal ones sound good until you start to play loud and then you start to get a raspy sound. With glass, it's not a problem. I like the heavy ones with a thick wall.
On the other hand, if your playing accoustic, I'd suggest a heavy brass slide. You can't whip it around as fast, but it's a lot less work to get a clear sound.
One more thing, if your just starting out, put the slide on your little finger and let your other fingers lay on the strings behind the slide. This will reduce a lot of excess noise and give you a good clear sound. Keep in mind, this is one finger fretless guitar.
foo
Active member
I agree with 'Bird.
Glass for electric and brass for acoustic, and use it on your little finger - so you can damp the strings (or fret them) behind the slide.
The best shape is a very slightly cone-shaped with the tighter part of it being closest to the palm of your hand and the 'open' end at the tip of your finger.
The choice of guitar is based on the sound your looking for - Bonnie Raitt has a killer tone and uses a post-Leo Fender Strat, the guy in McCartney's band uses an Epiphone Coronet from the early '60s, I always thought Duane Allman used a 50s Les Paul (?) so it's not necessarily the guitar - it's what you do with it.
The two tunings that most people start off with are
Open D which low to high is D A D F# A D
Open G which low to high is D G D G B D
I learned Open D first, and if i was going to do it again I would go with Open G first. Open D is great for really bluesy/rocky stuff, but Open G seems more versatile and useable for country blues etc.
Have fun.
foo
Glass for electric and brass for acoustic, and use it on your little finger - so you can damp the strings (or fret them) behind the slide.
The best shape is a very slightly cone-shaped with the tighter part of it being closest to the palm of your hand and the 'open' end at the tip of your finger.
The choice of guitar is based on the sound your looking for - Bonnie Raitt has a killer tone and uses a post-Leo Fender Strat, the guy in McCartney's band uses an Epiphone Coronet from the early '60s, I always thought Duane Allman used a 50s Les Paul (?) so it's not necessarily the guitar - it's what you do with it.
The two tunings that most people start off with are
Open D which low to high is D A D F# A D
Open G which low to high is D G D G B D
I learned Open D first, and if i was going to do it again I would go with Open G first. Open D is great for really bluesy/rocky stuff, but Open G seems more versatile and useable for country blues etc.
Have fun.
foo
S
smythology
New member
thanks
...for the advice. I actually forgot to mention that I'm into the more Robert Johnson/Charley Patton type acoustic guitars/sound.
robin
...for the advice. I actually forgot to mention that I'm into the more Robert Johnson/Charley Patton type acoustic guitars/sound.
robin
64Firebird
New member
For acoustic, once again I'd recomend a really cheap guitar (unless you want to invest in a resonator). I use one made by Montana and I put eletric guitar strings on it. Also, I like to use metal banjo finger picks.
I like what foo said about the tunings, I've always gotten more mileage out of open G, but open D is good for that Elmore James sound. Another tuning I've used is open C (C, G, C, G, C, E). This tuning is fun to use for a sort of Folk music sounding slide guitar.
I like what foo said about the tunings, I've always gotten more mileage out of open G, but open D is good for that Elmore James sound. Another tuning I've used is open C (C, G, C, G, C, E). This tuning is fun to use for a sort of Folk music sounding slide guitar.
foo
Active member
A small-bodied mahogany guitar with a solid spuce top or a National Resonator (or copy) is the way to go.
Depending on your budget, here's some options for acoustics:
Epiphone Caballero from late 60's (Very narrow neck, tho) ~$400?
Gibson LG-1 from the late 60's
Gibson B-25 from the same period
Gibson J-45 - starting to get really expensive
Martin 00-18 - any period, but played (not abused) will be better
Martin 000-18 - same comments as 00-18
Collings 000-1 - 2nd mortgage time, but oh what a sound
A National Tricone will put a permanent smile on your face and a permanent hole in your bank account - but they sound great for acoustic slide and they are REALLY REALLY LOUD!!!!
My favourite acoustic slide players are (in no particular order)
Ry Cooder,
Kelly Joe Phelps,
Blind Willie Johnson,
Son House
Have fun,
foo
Depending on your budget, here's some options for acoustics:
Epiphone Caballero from late 60's (Very narrow neck, tho) ~$400?
Gibson LG-1 from the late 60's
Gibson B-25 from the same period
Gibson J-45 - starting to get really expensive
Martin 00-18 - any period, but played (not abused) will be better
Martin 000-18 - same comments as 00-18
Collings 000-1 - 2nd mortgage time, but oh what a sound
A National Tricone will put a permanent smile on your face and a permanent hole in your bank account - but they sound great for acoustic slide and they are REALLY REALLY LOUD!!!!
My favourite acoustic slide players are (in no particular order)
Ry Cooder,
Kelly Joe Phelps,
Blind Willie Johnson,
Son House
Have fun,
foo