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April 2004
Posts: 13303
Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | I know that there are many talented gutarist (more so than me) on this site who play slide.
I am interested in trying my hand at slide and thought I would quiz my fellow O players.
It seems that whenever I see a slide player, the slide is on a different finger. Which finger is preferred (most common) to use with a slide and why?
Do you typically have a specific guitar set up for slide (higher action) and is it set up with standard or open tuning.
What is the best type of slide to get? I noticed that Matt Smith sells some...how do they compare to the ones on Muscians Friend, etc.
Thanks |
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Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | 28;
I'm extremely "novice" to slide as well, but here's my $0.02:
I started out a LONG time ago "mucking around" w/slide with a lightweight glass slide on my ring finger. While that always seemed to feel more "natural" to me, I've since learned to move it over onto the pinky. This gives you three adjacent fingers available to fret chords and/or finger runs, pull-off's, hammer-on's, etc.
I pretty much focus all of my slide "playing" :rolleyes: to a dedicated guitar: a Chinese Dobro knock-off I bought from Al.
I jacked up the nut with a thickness of credit card stock and have it tuned to open G.
I also have one of the glass slides that Matt hawks, and they are f&^%&^#g AWESOME!! I found it to be a little "heavy" and "cumbersome" at first, but with much practice have learned to use it's mass to my advantage. Kinda like learning to fight with a bowling ball handcuffed to your left wrist . . . . with a little "practice" it becomes a helluva weapon!!. . . |
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Joined:
June 2002
Posts: 1614
Location: Converse, Texas | I am interested in Paul Templeman's input here.
Cliff: I seem to remember you using a shot glass as a slide! :eek: |
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Joined:
August 2003
Posts: 2246
Location: Yucaipa, California | ...hmmm.. I heard it was a slide for a shotglass... same effect probably :rolleyes: |
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Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | Actually, you're BOTH right (to a degree).
I was using one of the blown-glass slides (that I bought from Matt the previous Tour/Jam) as a slide AND a shot glass . . . .
. . . Templeman was using a tequila shot glass (that I had in my gig bag) as a shot glass AND a slide. He liked it so much, I let him keep it.
The basic "gist" of the whole thread is:
". . if ya' wanna play slide, . . ya' GOTTA drink tequila . . ."
(The preceeding was a paid political announcement . . sponsored by Patron Tequila
Batteries not included.
Some assembly required.
Void where prohibited.
Your mileage my vary.
Put a shot in your shorts.) |
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Joined:
June 2002
Posts: 1614
Location: Converse, Texas | Interesting, cliff, that you had a shot glass in your gig bag. |
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Joined:
July 2004
Posts: 474
Location: Anchorage, Alaska | Finally a technique on this forum that I'm sure I can keep up with even the best of... Drinking tequila! Ever notice how much better you play or at least sound after a few "slides" of cactus juice? |
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Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | ". . Interesting, cliff, that you had a shot glass in your gig bag . ."
A well-equipped, working troubador must be prepared for ANY emergency.
btw:
Master Templeman is a KILLAH slide player!! ;) |
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Joined:
December 2002
Posts: 939
Location: Fort Worth, Texas | As I recall it was some smooth tequila!!
I need to bring my own slide/shot glass this time... |
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Joined:
January 2002
Posts: 14127
Location: 6 String Ranch | I prefer the glass slides and the ones Matt has are the best. Nunwell is the glass blower, Matt sells them.
Action the same or up one shim
open D or G and have fun |
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Joined:
February 2002
Posts: 5750
Location: Scotland | As Bill said, take the action up. A little at the nut, a little more at the bridge and use heavy-ish stings. Slide on the pinky leaves 3 fingers to fret normally, or to do the Sonny Landreth combined slide/fretted thing, which is very cool. Glass/metal is a matter of taste. I use both types, one of Matts & a custom made brass slide. Whatever type you use it should be fairly substantial. A lightweight slide generally means a lightweight tone. I tune to open E almost always ( E B E G# B E) |
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Joined:
January 2002
Posts: 14127
Location: 6 String Ranch | Something I do on the Nationals sometimes is just put on a regular set with two B strings. Most of your sliding is going to be on B and E anyway and a 14 for the E will give better tone. |
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March 2002
Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | ah! good trick! I'll have to remember that . . |
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June 2002
Posts: 1614
Location: Converse, Texas | So what is the "perfect fit" for a slide? I want to order one of Matt's. |
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Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | That's gonna be a tough one, as well.
Since they're all hand-made, no two are really alike.
When I bought mine (actually Jeanette bought it for me), I "tried on" about a half a box of 'em before I found one that fit the way I like it (I've got stocky fingers with big knuckles). Finally found one that fit (as Master Templeman so aptly put it) "like a condom".
You might wanna contact Matt on the best way to do this "remotely" . . . |
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Joined:
June 2002
Posts: 1614
Location: Converse, Texas | Cliff: Is the object to get the slide to fit snugly on the knuckle? I have larger knuckles as well. |
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Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | uh . . . in order to get ON the finger, it's gonna have to go over the knuckle, . . yes??
Maybe you should try out some of the Dunlop glass slides, see which one fits best, and use that as a "gauge" to tell Matt what size you need . . .
Just a thought. |
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Joined:
June 2002
Posts: 1614
Location: Converse, Texas | Cliff: Of course I know it MUST fit over the finger, but to be optimal, should it be snug or loose was what I was getting at. |
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Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | I'd guess it's a matter of personal preference.
My partner's got this little bracket on his mic stand that holds his (Dunlop glass tube) so that he can put it on/off quickly, so I'd assume his is a little "loose".
Me? I like mine "tight as a bride".
It actually makes a pronounced "pop" when I slip it off.
To each his own, I guess . . . |
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Joined:
November 2004
Posts: 31
Location: Los Angeles, California | Maybe it's the time of year. I just got a hankerin' to play some slide, too. I haven't done it for a long time and never was very good but it's a lot of fun when you're in the mood for it. Last Saturday I got my old telle down and tuned it to open E. My wife wanted to know what that awful racket was. Had to turn the volume down. I always think I sound like that kid in the movie Crossroads, some seem to disagree.
I use a Craftsman 13/16 deep socket on my ring finger, tight. Maybe Santa will bring me a glass one for Christmas. |
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March 2002
Posts: 873
Location: puerto vallarta, mexico | those are the rules exactly as written in the mexican musicians union handbook cliff. in fact there arent any other rules as i remember. the test is to say clearly into a microphone---"tequila por la banda!" and "salud". the last one, well, tests your ability to stretch the truth with a smile.
Originally posted by cliff:
Actually, you're BOTH right (to a degree).
I was using one of the blown-glass slides (that I bought from Matt the previous Tour/Jam) as a slide AND a shot glass . . . .
. . . Templeman was using a tequila shot glass (that I had in my gig bag) as a shot glass AND a slide. He liked it so much, I let him keep it.
The basic "gist" of the whole thread is:
". . if ya' wanna play slide, . . ya' GOTTA drink tequila . . ."
(The preceeding was a paid political announcement . . sponsored by Patron Tequila
Batteries not included.
Some assembly required.
Void where prohibited.
Your mileage my vary.
Put a shot in your shorts.) |
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Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 873
Location: puerto vallarta, mexico | Originally posted by Hizzoner:
Interesting, cliff, that you had a shot glass in your gig bag.
doesn't everyone? |
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Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 873
Location: puerto vallarta, mexico | Originally posted by cliff:
uh . . . in order to get ON the finger, it's gonna have to go over the knuckle, . . yes??
Maybe you should try out some of the Dunlop glass slides, see which one fits best, and use that as a "gauge" to tell Matt what size you need . . .
Just a thought.
since most of us musician's carry a set of tools in our car's gig bag to make sure the "old classic" gets home at 2 am, how's about a deepwell socket for a finger sizer. also makes a pretty descent slide. that is if you dont mind that burnt oil look on your pinky between sets. |
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Joined:
November 2004
Posts: 31
Location: Los Angeles, California | If ya' soak it in the ta-kill-ya that burnt oil comes right off! |
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Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 873
Location: puerto vallarta, mexico | Originally posted by Mustang Andy:
If ya' soak it in the ta-kill-ya that burnt oil comes right off!
but so does some of the skin. good thing the lime and salt protects the innards,----i think.
anyone know if there will be some of matt's slides at NAMM? |
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Slide Guitar
