Strings for slide

[deda]

Originally Posted by Old Goat

What do y'all use for strings on your (non-resonator) guitar for slide? I'm getting too much string noise going into and out of notes, and on tremelo. I'm using a glass slide and Martin Marquis Med strings.

Coated? Flat-wound? Right now I'm coping by using a PG81 mic because it's not sensitive enough to pick up most of the noise!

Any feedback most appreciated.

YOU OLD GOAT, gotta nice ring to it as do those Martin Marquis strings, I hate um period. You gotta get you some DR Strings their handemade whatever that means. Get the RARES phosphor bronze acoustic for your acoustic. They've lasted longer than any string I've used. Any of the DR's are good and I have them on my electrics, bass, many acoustics. I've left you a link below to their website but your local music store can bet get'um for you or online of course.

I play Delta Blues fingerstyle with various slides on on my 1934 Gibson Roy Smeck Stage DeLuxe and I love the DR strings. I also love a slide that's small it fit's you like a wide wedding band invented by Will Ray of The Hellcasters. I've left a link as well where you can order direct from him. If you fingerpick, of course it'd work with a pick as well I just don't use them, then this slide will give you a 6th finger. I wear it on my pinky and it takes a while to get used to it but if you like slide you will love this thing. When I first started using it I'd wear it all the time like a wedding band and it got to where it was felt natural on my finger. I've been married for 38 years but because I nearly severed a my ring finger with my wedding band 25 years ago I quit wearing it but the Stealth slide by Will Ray feels like a big ring. It has a video you can buy for instruction but I've never watched it.

It's a different tool than your glass slide though and Stealth is a good name for it you can be fingering normally which you can't do with a finger slide and then that slide just can sing or bark. A Chrome Dome is the best damn finger slide I've ever used so try and find you one of those babys. You did not say you were looking for a slide just strings but if you like slide different ones do different things so I thought I recommend some damn cool ones, for sure you should try the Stealth $18.00 + shipping.

Reading back you meantioned tremlo I'm guessing you mean a natural tremolo effect with the slide and not a tremolo arm on an electric. If electric, even acoustic electric you'd just need a different DR string than RARES.

I'll try and post a picture of my Smeck, it's an incredible guitar I bought in a pawn shop in 1971 for a 100.00. It was originally made as a Hawaiian lap slide guitar but was converted into a Spanish type like they should be if one ever gets one to play. Collecters leave them original and they can be pricey but mine was already converted and has a WIDE neck which helps with my fat fingers. The nut is over 2" and most guitars neck to neck fit inside my e strings. I'll try to find a certain link to add about the Roy Smeck Stage Deluxe. If you like guitars like I do it's a good read on the best guitar for everystyle, especially for recording as well, but maybe flatpicking.

Wish you well You Old Goat. Regards ,,deda,,

Gibson Roy Smeck Stage Dlx (1938)


DR Strings: The Handmade Guitar and Bass Strings

The Hellecasters;Will Ray


Chromedome link
Guitar Slide Collection on Latch Lake Products

[Old Goat]

Wow, thanks, deda. Very cool guitar. I'll check out those strings--I have a Guild D-25 that I don't use for slide. My current slide guitar is an old Yamaha with a real high action. Sounds pretty good, but I'd like to have a res!

Thanks again, man.

[guavadude]

the string noise is where all the soul lives.
Learn to embrace it.
I think the slide will make more difference than the strings. There's a mud slide, made out of porcelain that has a nice sound, the old metal slides are great, and if your action is high enough, a Craftsman long socket is heavy but sounds good.
Not a big fan of the clear pyrex ones, they do have a pingy overtone which might be what you're hearing. Start picking up a few and you'll find some you like.
You can always use ground wound or flats but I think if you find the right slide, you'll start digging that noise more. Nothing better than a shimmer on the low strings to add some vibe to a track.

[Old Goat]

thanks, man, I just picked up a brass slide, but haven't tried it yet.