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Joined:
December 2011
Posts: 1
| Just arrived at this forum from Cambridge, UK. I was a classical guitarist, then tried electric, learned to play slide guitar in open e and would now like to play on an electro acoustic probably in open d. I thought an Ovation guitar might be suitable. I would very much welcome advice on which model would be best for slide, the heaviest strings it will safely tolerate, and the set up (is the factory standard set up for high, medium or low action). Any other advice would be very welcome.
If you need to get an idea of what I play, then the history of me learning to play slide over the last 5 months can be found at http://www.youtube.com/user/carsickphil
The quality of these attempts is variable but shows some improvement.
Thanks for having me here and I look forward to your advice about buying an Ovation guitar and getting set up.
All the best
Carsick Phil |
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Joined:
February 2002
Posts: 5750
Location: Scotland | When it comes to slide the guitar is pretty much irrelevant, it's all down to the set-up and the pickup. For well over a decade my main guitar for non-lap slide was a '72 1117 Legend strung 16 to 60 in open E major. Pickups changed over the years but were always soundhole magnetics and included Sunrise, Mimesis, Baggs M1 and Dean Markley Trilogy. |
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Joined:
February 2002
Posts: 5750
Location: Scotland | Edit - double post |
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Joined:
July 2005
Posts: 1609
Location: Colorado | Paul - I remember at Amelia - you or Matt showed a "nut cover" that converted most any ol rag of a guitar....to a potential slide guitar....where would one find one of those for sale.....and before it begins...I do not mean a cod piece! |
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Joined:
August 2003
Posts: 4619
Location: SoCal | I have a burned out (frets) 1659 Custom Legend that I use what you call a "nut cover". Great slide guitar as it raises the strings above the frets. Got it from my local GuitarTrader. I believe StewMac has them. Cheap, about $3-$4 or so. They do work well and Matt uses one in his Chop Shops. No harm to the guitar.
I need to say that even with the custom glass slides that Matt has, my slide playing is like a beginner violin player...maybe if I devoted the time but my level is F+. So bad that dogs STOP barking. Even banjo players stop. |
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Joined:
February 2002
Posts: 5750
Location: Scotland | Originally posted by elginacres:
Paul - I remember at Amelia - you or Matt showed a "nut cover" that converted most any ol rag of a guitar....to a potential slide guitar....where would one find one of those for sale.....and before it begins...I do not mean a cod piece! That is known as an extension nut. They are designed specifically for lap-style playing. They raise the strings by around 8mm above the first fret, and also widen the string spacing considerably. You don't need one of these for upright slide. It's simply a case of raising the action at the bridge a little, and finding the right string gauge for your preferred tuning. I also shim the nut a little, but that is not essential. I have extension nuts if you need one |
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Advice needed on buying Ovation guitar for playing slide guitar
