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Post by wezzywest on May 16, 2016 10:58:16 GMT
Hi, I am thinking of buying an acoustic guitar for open tunings and bottleneck slide. I would be interested to know, what guitars forum members use. Also what string gauge and set up. Any info appreciated. Cheers.
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Post by slide496 on May 16, 2016 11:51:22 GMT
I use ladderbraced flat top parlor guitars from the 50's 60's. The brands that work best for me are kay, silvertone and stella and they are mainly set up martin pb lights along the lines of a national in action. Its easy to adjust the floating bridge on them, to shim the bridge if necessary. There's a wide variety of acoustics that people play slide on - here's a list of what some of the old bluesmen played on: www.earlyblues.com/Blues%20singers%202009.htmLawd lawdy, Harriet
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Post by 5slide on May 16, 2016 12:15:30 GMT
I use a 1935 Gibson L-00, I've tried various strings - usually go for Martin PB 12's, I never go too heavy with this guitar due to its light construction and age - both of which contribute to its tone! The action is I would say medium, fine for slide and finger style, it's how I have most of my guitars set up as I like to be able to play both. Saying all this, just about any acoustic will do the job just fine, tone is in the fingers after all
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Post by Ian McWee on May 16, 2016 13:03:39 GMT
My #1 flat-top slide guitar is a cheap (but flashy!) Crafter TA-50 ~ a nice copy of the Martin 000-42 12- frets to body neck join, strung with Newtone 12's Slide On! Ian.
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Post by wezzywest on May 16, 2016 13:30:41 GMT
Thanks for the replies, Interesting that you all use light gauge strings, I imagine to do with the light build of the guitar.I have looked at older ladder braced guitars, although a more modern used one is also in my thoughts. The main thing for me is 1 3/4 inch nut and 2 1/4 inch string spacing. Oh yes and cheap! Thanks for the earlyblues link Harriet and how`s this for Karma Ian. The postman has just delivered my `Blue Diamond` i ordered last week at the same time as you replied to my post!! It`s fits my pinky perfectly! Thanks again. Cheers Steve.
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Post by slide496 on May 16, 2016 14:11:33 GMT
Both my stella and silvertone 12 fret have 1 3/4 inch nuts - the kay music note - which I believe is popular - is less and is 14 fret. Any of my cheap sears ladder braced are loud with light strings and ring out with a diamond slide , I have two lovely green ultimates, some of mine are custom strung lighter. Lawd lawdy, HArriet
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Post by wezzywest on May 16, 2016 14:35:30 GMT
Both my stella and silvertone 12 fret have 1 3/4 inch nuts - the kay music note - which I believe is popular - is less and is 14 fret. Any of my cheap sears ladder braced are loud with light strings and ring out with a diamond slide , I have two lovely green ultimates, some of mine are custom strung lighter. Lawd lawdy, HArriet Thanks again Harriet, I will do some digging on the makes you have mentioned. Cheers steve.
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Post by Pickers Ditch on May 16, 2016 14:43:33 GMT
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Post by obrienp on May 16, 2016 15:57:35 GMT
I have tried playing slide on all the acoustics that have passed through my hands and that's been quite a few. It's taken me a long time to track down the right guitars for my style of playing. Generally I have been pretty disappointed with slide on acoustics. It almost seems the more expensive and satisfying as a regular acoustic, the less impressive they are as a slide instrument. I don't know whether that is because I have been spolied by playing slide on various resonators, after which regular acoustics sound a bit wimpy, or it's just that I have poor technique and can't get the best out of them.
For what it is worth, the best by far for slide was an Art & Lutherie Amie parlour with a cedar top and wild cherry back and sides. I am not sure wether they still make them but they pop up on fleaBay fairly regularly for not much money. They are a not bad instrument for finger style blues as well. Nut width is Gibson standard 1.72", a nats under 1 3/4 and they have Gibson scale length as well. 12 fret to the body and mine has a standard active under saddle pickup that sounds OK for peizo. It's built like a tank as well: surprisingly heavy but still resonant. I don't get to play it though as my girlfriend decided it was a handy size for her.
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Post by wezzywest on May 16, 2016 16:36:44 GMT
Thanks again, I have been having a look at the Sigma range they seem good value. The Art & lutherie are new to me so I will have a look. Cheers.
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Post by blueshome on May 16, 2016 18:13:41 GMT
The usual recommendation for those in the UK is to seek out Mike Savage who usually has a good selection of pre-war ladder-braced guitars at sensible prices. No Schmidt Stellas or up market stuff but much superior to the post-war Harmony Stellas
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Post by Deleted on May 16, 2016 18:27:30 GMT
Anyone have a link to his website? can't find one. TT
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Post by wezzywest on May 16, 2016 20:38:40 GMT
The usual recommendation for those in the UK is to seek out Mike Savage who usually has a good selection of pre-war ladder-braced guitars at sensible prices. No Schmidt Stellas or up market stuff but much superior to the post-war Harmony Stellas Thanks for that, is this guy based in Staffordshire? Seems to ring a bell. Cheers
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Post by rickS on May 16, 2016 21:36:39 GMT
Another vote here for ladder-braced; I have a 30s Schmidt -made Stella that has a terrific punchy sound for slide ( spot on for Patton/House stuff ), & a pal has a similar vintage Kalamazoo that totally nails the Robert Johnson sound - however, if on a budget, 60s Harmony Sovereigns are what I'd be looking at..
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Post by Dessery on May 17, 2016 5:45:58 GMT
Most of the time these days I play on a Martin 0M1-GT, its an amazing slide guitar, 14 frets, pretty flat fretboard radius, great tone, strung with 12s. With the tiniest truss rod adjustment when I got it, it plays great for both slide and fingerstyle.
Martin have discontinued them now but I snagged one on eBay brand new (even had the plastic protector over the scratch plate) for £550.
All the best David
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