slide- rings for guitar

Subject: slide- rings for guitar
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 08 Oct 06 - 06:49 PM

I'm working on a piece, which requires slide and ordinary picking.

Does anybody have any recommendations. I play folky stuff on an amplified acoustic guitar.

I seem to remember something like I wanted from a guy called Lennie Pogan being advertised in Sig out. I a light copper slide usually - the John Dunlop one. I did have a very heavy copper slide built onto with a polythenne ring, but I diliked it and it didn't get used and is now somewhere under a pile of protozoic slime in the garage. It was very clunky.

So any help, tips, recommendations. links.... thoughts on the matter?

Thankyou dear friends (in advance).

all the best

al

Subject: RE: slide- rings for guitar
From: Grab
Date: 08 Oct 06 - 07:51 PM

Ordinary *fingering*, I'd presume? :-)

I got one a while back which is basically a 3/4"-ish curved bit of steel with a velcro strap. Fits round a finger, velcros on so it stays in place, and it's small enough to sit between two finger joints so it doesn't significantly screw up your fingering. I like smaller slides (no longer than my finger) but this was too small for me to do much with so I never really used it. I'm sure they're still selling them, but if you can't find one then PM me and I'll post you mine.

There's also some spring-loaded widget that I've seen in the Elderly catalogue. Again it attaches to your finger somehow, but this time there's a middle bit that attaches to your finger and the slide bit flicks round the side/top. When you need the slide, you pull it round with the next finger - let it go and it goes back again so you can use your finger fairly normally. This is a full-length slide, as opposed to the diddy one I've got which could only get two or maybe three strings at most. Seem to remember it was a bit pricey though.

Graham.

Subject: RE: slide- rings for guitar
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 09 Oct 06 - 04:15 AM

I wouldn't dream of depriving you of your property Grab - not on the slim premis that my fat fingers might be able to engage with your tackle.(as the actress said etc..)

this situation obviously requires self abasement, headlong plunges into debt, etc.

Notwithstanding - someone out there. Please advise and help!

Subject: RE: slide- rings for guitar
From: redsnapper
Date: 09 Oct 06 - 05:40 AM

My favourite is the "JetSlide" which I got through a German guitar specialist website. Fits with a ring on the third finger and is brought into play with a little tab pushed down by the pinky when needed. When not needed, springs out of the way for full fretting possibilities.

Trouble is that some unknown and sorry-arsed $%*&£@ pocketed it at the last blues jam I host so I'll need to buy another. Not a musicianly thing to do.

RS

Subject: RE: slide- rings for guitar
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 09 Oct 06 - 06:07 AM

I've just bought a WILL RAY STEALTH SLIDE BY HIPSHOT off e bay.

I am thinking of getting a john dunlop hoolahan slide also.

has anybody used these with any success? I wondered whether to get the large or medium hoolahan. I thought maybe I'd get both, hoping I would be able to use one of the three.

Incidentally they are a quarter the price in the states of what they are in England, (howl of anguish!)

Subject: RE: slide- rings for guitar
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 11 Oct 06 - 06:00 AM

Just got the hoolahan - doesn't look like its going to be a success.

When you flip it round it covers the whole little finger whereas, I generally play with slide just down to my second joint.

The will ray still in the post presumably - still very open to helpful suggestions.

Subject: RE: slide- rings for guitar
From: Mooh
Date: 11 Oct 06 - 09:41 AM

Dunlop makes some very short slides which will cover maybe 3 strings at a time. I find it hard to fret with the same finger, but my hands are quite small, longer fingers might make it work. I have one each in glass (pyrex or whatever) and chromed steel and find the chrome one okay for tone but the glass one very weak. I rarely use either as ceramic and heavy genuine glass are more to my taste.

Peace, Mooh.

Subject: RE: slide- rings for guitar
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 11 Oct 06 - 12:01 PM

well flushed with my success at mending the lavatory seat today. I cut the hoolahann thing in half - and I can tell you it is a great improvement! if anybody's got any doubts - don't hesitate - it works!

I haven't got the switch quite right, but it will do at a pinch.

The big revelation for me about slide playing came at Kevin Brown Slide Summer School. Kevin had a baritone Ovation, thick strings - low register. the other instructor had just an ordinary Martin with light gauge strings. They both had fantastic tone, and both said they could get the tone and volume with whatever slide was to hand. I then twigged - its not so much about the equipment eventually - its about the touch. HOWEVER, to get that touch initially and develop that control (over a period of years) you first have to go whatever give you optimum results.

my fingers are short and fat.

The best slide I know, belongs to Jack Hudson - he got someone to grind the neck of one of those blue Harvey's cream sherry bottles. A thing of genuine beauty.