Slide playing on an acoustic

[seraphim7s]

I have a number of gigs in just over 4 weeks time - I'll mostly be playing bass, but for about 1/3 of the set, I'm playing acoustic guitar and some harp. Trouble is, I only have one guitar (a cheapish dreadnought) and I need it to be set up for both rhythm playing with a plec (mostly open chords) and slide.

 

I've figured out that the action should be low enough to be comfortable to fret, and high enough that the slide rests nicely on the strings without depressing them too far. Plus, I'm sticking with medium gauge strings. I'll be tuning, *essentially* to open G (EADGBD - I won't be using the lowest two strings when playing slide - this'll make it a lot quicker to tune and retune during the gig)

 

Does anyone have any other recommendations? In terms of strings, should I be using 80/20, 85/15, or 92/8? Any particular brands? Any particular type of slide? I've only ever used a glass one.

 

Any help is very much appreciated. Thanks in advance.

[335clone]

I'd just tune the high E down to D, and use strings 1-4 like you said. Mediums should work OK, but you need a balance since you will also be playing in std. A glass slide should give a nice warm tone. I'd just suggest you work on dampening the strings behind the slide and note intonation. Have Fun.

[seraphim7s]

Thanks for the info.

Can anyone give any advice concerning the type of string when it comes to slide playing?

[335clone]

Only that I tend to like wound 3rd strings when playing slide. Hell, if my guitar would hold up to the tension, I'd prefer then ALL wound.

[Freeman Keller]

On my dedicated slide guitars (two resonators) I use medium gauge Nano's and replace with third with an unwound (.024 I think). They are aways tuned down to open D or G. I also keep one old acoustic tuned to open C and use light Nano's on it too (the first string stays at E so I like lights). This guitar has a wound third since I play both slide and fretted.

 

On my other acoustics I play what ever is on them. The Taylor has Nanos, the D-18 and D12-28 usually have JP 80/20's and they all work fine for slide. If you are only going to play a couple slide numbers I wouldn't worry about changing anything. It's only when you get hooked on slide that you'll want to start changing setup, action, stings, guitars....

 

Remember too that it is possible to play single string slide in standard tuning Electric players do it all the time, but you will need to develope a very light touch and good dampening. The real beauty of slide is having all the strings of an open tuning available, which you will loose with your hybrid open G.

 

Last but not least, I prefer a heavy homemade wine bottle neck on the reso's and either the wine bottle or a lighter brass slide on the acoustics. Rory Block uses a Craftsman spark plug socket, Duane Allman a Coricidin medican bottle, Leo Kottke his signature ceramic slides, Fred McDowell a piece of steak bone (or so the legend goes). If your action is low for fretting a lighter glass slide may give better control and touch - a heavy one more vibrato.

[jazzbo]

Get a really cheap acoustic and set the action up high for slide. It's easier and you can get a cheapo for like $30. At any of the clearance areas at Zzounds Mus. Friend etc. or even your local store.

[Terje]

Originally posted by Freeman Keller Remember too that it is possible to play single string slide in standard tuning Electric players do it all the time, but you will need to develope a very light touch and good dampening. The real beauty of slide is having all the strings of an open tuning available, which you will loose with your hybrid open G.

 

 

There is a real beauty in single note lines too but OK, open tunings do have several advantages. However, standard isn't bad for slide at all. Check out Earl Hooker.