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Post by Deleted on May 21, 2007 17:30:50 GMT
I've wondered the same thing but think it's probably just marketing hype. According to my manufacturing text books electro-polishing is just an alternative polishing method used for high volume production when mechanical methods aren't practical. I stand ready to be corrected though.
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Post by Michael Messer on May 21, 2007 18:06:17 GMT
I have used Planet Waves leads for a few years and they are excellent. I have to say I have my doubts about their slides, but I would like to see one. Knowing that Roy Rogers was an endorser of Jim Dunlop's slides, and seeing the glass bottle, I would not be surprized to find that Dunlop are involved with Planet Waves on these. I was closely involved with the developement of steel King Slides in 2001. Originally I was going to market them as a MM product, but due to finances and the risk element, LRC stepped in. In retrospect ...ah well.....c'est la vie! Ron Smith & I visited the late Ron Isaacs many times to get these slides exactly right. They were extremely expensive and took a lot of time and effort to produce. They were only ever produced in small batches of 20s, 30s.....never mass-produced. I would recommend buying some King Slides as there will never be any more. In addition - Planet Waves are an excellent company to deal with. Any defects or problems with their products and they immediately take action & replace the item. Not so with my experience of trying to deal with Tesco today. Shine On, Michael.
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Post by mirrormist on May 21, 2007 22:18:04 GMT
Hi Pete & Blisters
A technique that i am aware of is what we called "reverse plating" which may or may not be the elecro polishing that you refer to. It involves taking off a few microns of material (we used this process for Stainless Steel Tubing) it is simply a reversal of the plating process...this is an electro polish in effect. We manufactured fabricated support frames for portable fire pumps...the reverse plate cleaned up all the weld discolouration and left the stainless steel gleaming.
Regards
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Post by mirrormist on May 22, 2007 20:50:15 GMT
...you want something really tasty and it has to be glass...then the artistry and engineering from the guys at Diamond Bottlenecks is an absolute must...their attention to detail is second to none I have just taken delivery of my second slide and it is absolutely gorgeous...super engraving...a quality slide indeed...lovely feel and perfect fit thanks Ian
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Post by Ian McWee on May 23, 2007 8:58:17 GMT
It's a pleasure Anthony - i'm really pleased you like it & the engraving our lads added to your slide is certainly one of their best ;D.
Slide On!
Ian.
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Post by Deleted on May 23, 2007 9:24:36 GMT
Hi Mirrormist,
My understanding is that electro-polishing is exactly that; reverse plating. I don’t know if it gives a superior finish to mechanical polishing but I doubt it. Those Planet Waves slides are supposed to be very good though, just a bit pricey.
Diamond do make fantastic bottlenecks, your new one looks great although I’m not sure I’d like to have engraving, I’d be worried about it twisting on my finger. I use a Diamond Ultimate, it’s clear glass with a closed end. It’s the best slide I’ve found but I fancy something a little different now so will probably order a new one soon. I want an open end (it gets a bit sweaty in mine) and I fancy trying green glass, several people have told me it sounds better (I doubt that too).
I’ve asked a friend to make a steel slide for me. He has an engineering shop so I’ve just got to supply him with a drawing. If he can get the polishing right it should be my perfect slide.
Cheers, Iain.
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Post by Ian McWee on May 23, 2007 9:53:27 GMT
Hi Iain, Great to hear you're still enjoying the clear 'Ultimate' ;D. When we engrave our slides, we add a small crescent cut into the base of the slide on the opposite side of the engraved face to stop it turning around - this is on the 'playing surface' side of the slide - and this 'cut' wraps around the frontal pad of your main knuckle on the top section of your palm (hold your hand with the palm facing you, and curve your hand as if you're holding a ball)....you'll see your frontal pad 'puff out', and this is where the crescent cut wraps over.....and yes - green bottle glass (especially Italian olive oil or balsamic vinegar bottles) is the best tonally by far !!! And talking of steel slides....my good mate Slidin' Steve Thompson bought a brass slide off e-bay a couple of weeks ago - and it's (allegedly!) one of the great Sam Mitchell's original brass slides! The fellow Steve bought the slide from supposedly had it given to him by Sam himself at a gig where he was playing support back in late '60's . Slide On! Ian. www.diamondbottlenecks.com
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Post by Deleted on May 23, 2007 10:23:23 GMT
Hi Ian,
I saw that brass slide on eBay. I did think about bidding on it but I don’t think the listing included dimensions so I decided against it. The supposed association with Sam Mitchell didn’t persuade me, I don’t think any of his magic would rub off on me.
I’ll probably be in touch soon to order my new ultimate.
Cheers, Iain.
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Post by mirrormist on May 23, 2007 14:07:16 GMT
Hi Blisters …yes I would agree with you based on my experience of Stainless Steel… polishing does give a smoother finish than reverse plating if not shinier Polishing is probably the most important preparation for electro plating but it is foremost a preparation. Get the polishing right and you are three-quarters closer to getting a good electro plated finish. Electro Polish (reverse plate) is a finishing process in much the same way as nickel chrome etc is (only opposite)…So polishing as a finishing process is something that may need to be done on a regular basis…I wouldn’t recommend it on electro plated surfaces other than perhaps hard chrome or base metals themselves. Polishing is very labour intensive and I guess that is why reverse plating is used more and more these days…and as for my beautiful new slide from diamond bottlesnecks …I prefer a snug fit without being too tight or too loose so am hopeful that I will suffer only minimal spin…and if you do like your slides to be a loose fit then Ian’s suggestion would I am sure eliminate any spin Good Luck with finding one that is right for you Regards
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Post by Deleted on May 29, 2007 18:01:28 GMT
Could you tell me where I could find a HEAVY stainless steel slide? I play some great green glass, bronze and brass slides, all are heavy, and all have very different tones. I also like the sharp, dry tone of the steel slides, but those ones commercially available are very thin... any advise? Hello. I received an e-mail from the German guy who makes stainless slides, on a lathe. However, it's a doc-file of 5 mb (two pictures and some text), is it okay to post it here? Or better, maybe I can mail the attachment to the people who are interested. Regards, John.
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Post by robn on May 29, 2007 21:58:20 GMT
After much deliberation (about a nano-second) I decided to buy a "The Mike Dowling Signature" glass slide from Diamond Bottlenecks last week. I lined up all my slides and had a play-off. My fave heavy brass slide has been religated to No2 and the new kid on the block is now the top dog for its smooth, warm tone. It's thick green glass - of course! Thanks Ian - it fits great and sounds even better ;D Robn
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Post by Ian McWee on May 30, 2007 9:14:54 GMT
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Post by mistercanetoad on Jun 1, 2007 8:49:31 GMT
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Post by slidin1 on Jun 24, 2007 22:47:04 GMT
Hi Folks, Years ago before DB (Diamond Bottlenecks) I used a steel socket,I had to file out the serated edges inside which was a pain but it worked although never comfortable.Saw John Hammond with his.Been using the DB double cut for quite a few years which is great.Incidently,took delivery of the 'Sam Mitchell slide' a few weeks back,you may have seen it advertised on Ebay.Had a lovely card with it from Jasper who sold it.Back in the 60s he was a busker and used to use a cut off from an old handlebar so Sam gave him this brass slide.Jasper also said in 1966 he went to a festival and saw MGee and Terry,Bukka White,Skip James and Son House,lucky fellow! I do like a steel or brass slide for certain songs where I need the notes to stick around for a bit longer. Hopefully some of Sam's mojo,magic, DNA will rub off on me! But don't tell Ian otherwise he will demand I provide even more upmarket biscuits when we do the shows! Cheers! Slidin' Steve
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Post by Ian McWee on Jun 25, 2007 8:52:15 GMT
....let's see - "Fox's Rich Chocolate Continental"....."Marks & Spencer Deluxe Chocolate Collection"..... !! WOODY!! ;D Slide On! Ian.
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