Setting up a Strat for slide

[Deleted]

Hi all.

Can anyone offer any advice on setting up a Stratocaster for slide use in open D and G.

Some people I have spoken to have expressed reservations, for whatever reason. I dont see why there should be a problem as a lot of people seem to use Strats for slide.

The model in question is an Eric Johnson, if it makes any difference.

I imagine the trem needs to be blocked off, in which case , what would be the best way of doing this?
What guage of string is likely to be the best bet?
Do I need to raise the bridge saddles?
Or, do I let the heavier strings induce more neck relief(?) in order to get a high enough action?

I guess a lot of the above is common sense or a case of "suck it and see" but I would rather consult the experts before making any changes or adjustments.

Any help, advice, observations gratefully received.

Rich.

[maxxengland]

A lot of this is personal preference. Mine is an 87 Japanese reissue of a 73 3 bolt original, permanently in open E.

Strings are currently 12s with a plain 3rd although I will go back to my favourite 13s next time round. The 3rd is plain, 24 from memory. I found that I would break wound ones after very few bends. The trem is held down with 5 springs fitted and the claw wound up as tight as I can get it, but you might want either to use a solid block (hi tech wood) or even go as far as change to a fixed bridge, although the weight balance might be affected by losing the spring block.

Action is personal, mine is a little higher than you would use on a non slide instrument, but still low enough to let you fret the strings without problems. Setting the intonation is straightforward, and as long as you don't go silly on truss rod adjustment you won't cause the instrument any damage. I don't think there's any need to remove the neck and shim to get a better angle unless there's already something drastically wrong with it.

Chord shapes are interesting, some you would need 7" fingers to reach in standard, others are all scrunched up tight. Handy knowing the inversions available in your chosen tuning; I prefer E/D for the melodic possibilities across a wider area of the neck.

I don't have a comparison with how the Strat sustains compared with it's standard tuned youth, but in this form, you can hit it one day and come back the next. I have only found one other guitar that hangs on like it, Little Ron's SG Yamaha, nothing else comes close; whether that's due to the set up or just the particular instrument I have no idea.

Enjoy the trip, when it rings and rumbles for you, it's a hell of an instrument.

[Deleted]

Hi Richc

I too use a strat for slide, generally tuned to open G.
Not a typical strat though so not sure if this advice is any use
I have a 1984 Japanese contempary model - 2 humbuckers, locking trem (for stable tuning)
Trouble was it was a bitch to keep in tune even without whammy abuse.
So I've just put the heaviest strings the shop had (13,s- 56 i think )and raised the bridge poles. Haven't blocked the trem at all but its now really stable and has a great sound.I never lock at the neck just hand tighten the screws so they don't rattle
It works for me anyhow
Cheers
Rob

[slidenpickit]

Hi Richc,

This subject has been covered a few times, so there is info elsewhere on the forum.

However, my set up which I've gigged with for 10 years with no problems is:

Fat Strat Texas Special (humbucker in bridge position)

Trem screwed down flat with 5 springs (preserves natural reverb) no block necessary

Michael Messer Electric Slide Classic strings tuned to open G (15 to 56 wound 3rd)

nut file to enlarge the G slot very very slightly if required (at a pinch a hacksaw blade will do)

Let the string tension which isn't a great deal more and wont' hurt the guitar take care of the action

If necessary, raise saddles equally a quarter turn at a time until you get a happy medium action wise for fretting and slide

Get a 12" radius slide from Dunlop (227) to match the radius of the fret board or a green glass delta slider bottleneck

Then, enjoy!

The Eric Johnson is a great guitar, I don't understand people who have 'reservations' about setting up guitars for slide especially Strats. Some faint if you tell them what gauge strings you use! They obviously haven't tried it themselves.

You can check out what the resulting set up sounds like (both clean and dirty) by going on to Youtube and typing in SlideGuitaristUK.

Regards

Chris W

[Deleted]

My cheap Squire has Newtone Electric Master 10's fitted (3 springs) and tuned up to E or A using the D and G 'shapes'.

I kept the string gauge as supplied and did not alter the action at all.

Treble pickup and bass pickup sound best for different styles, and my slide is the Diamond Bottleneck lightweight glass slide.

I am not an expert in this, but this is what I do and it sounds very good to me and those who hear it.

[tonyholmes]

I use a thru-neck telecaster H/H for my electric slide... same deal as one of the other guys, I fitted 13's on to it and raised the action a bit at the bridge, seems to work well

Cheers

T.

[garrysmith]

I use a Tokai Tele with a third p/up for electric slide, strung with Ernie Ball Light Top/Skinny Bottoms with the .010 1st replaced with an .012 and A is my tuning of choice. Action is highish but still eminently playable in what other people describe as "normal" style.

The 3rd p/u can be turned on or off on a pull switch on the tone control so all the Tele options are there (sometimes nothing else will do) but with it switched in you can have back two, all three or front two giving access to all sorts of nice Coodery/Lowellish sounds.

Really, any meaty strings combined with a manly action will do the job. It is, I think, possible to be TOO anal about this stuff!

[garrysmith]

I forgot, with regard to those people with reservations, aim them at Lowell George, Ry Cooder, Bonnie Raitt and, possibly most of all Sonny Landreth. If they still have reservations, step smartly away from them, as they clearly have cloth ears!