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Slides. Unable to try before buy, what to choose?

Looking to buy a slide for a 4 string CBG. Not sure if I will be using it on pinky or ring finger. I'll probably have to get a few to try out. Thinking either glass, ceramic, bone or ??? other than metal. Not sure if I should get a short/stubby one or not. Anyways any suggestions? There's no guitar shop near where I live so I gotta shoot in the dark here.

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Permalink Reply by Milt Haselmire on August 1, 2018 at 8:18am

I like a slide that is long enough to cover all the strings if needed. Brass and glass seem to be most popular. They're relatively cheap so trying different ones until you find what you like is probably the way to go. Just my thoughts.

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Permalink Reply by Kirk on August 1, 2018 at 9:29am

If you haven't played slide before, I'd say your best bet is to try various cheap things first, like a socket from a ratchet set, or a piece of pipe. Worry about the tone you like, after you figure out which finger you'll prefer. Most likely, if you enjoy playing with a slide, you'll wind up with a boat load of slides anyway. Start cheap ... borrow a pipe cutter and try different lengths and diameters.

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Permalink Reply by Don Stachovak on August 1, 2018 at 12:04pm

Dunlop 222 Brass slide. $4 - $6 bucks and a great starter to give you an idea of what you'll like. When I first started guitar years ago i went down to a plumbing/hardware place, stuck my finger in a bunch of pipes, and had them cut me off a 2 1/2" piece of one that i liked the fir on. Used a small round file to smooth the inside of the cut. It was pretty good, but a tad raspy.

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Permalink Reply by Taffy Evans on August 1, 2018 at 7:46pm

Does the word "bottleneck" spring to mind.

Taff

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Permalink Reply by Brown Water Jerry (Rice) on August 1, 2018 at 10:13pm

Ditto on the pipe idea, go to a hardware store to the copper pipe fitting section and try some couplings, I have also used electrical conduit connectors

Glenn Wat has a utube video on making one from copper tubing that is great.

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Permalink Reply by Eliah Holiday on August 1, 2018 at 10:28pm

Thanks for the suggestions. Well perhaps I'll order a few cheapo glass slides or watch a Youtube video on how to make one myself.

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Permalink Reply by Taffy Evans on August 1, 2018 at 11:57pm

Hi, beware of real cheapy glass slides some can shatter pretty easily.

Taff

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Permalink Reply by Brown Water Jerry (Rice) on August 2, 2018 at 11:25am

Never put a glass slide in your hip pocket!

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Permalink Reply by Jerry Jordan on August 2, 2018 at 3:23pm

The ladies on YouTube will show you how to cut the neck off a soda bottle with thread, fingernail polish remover, and a pot of ice cold water. Oh , and a match.,.,works great.,.,you can sand the cut with sandpaper or smooth concrete, like a sidewalk.,.,,.just a thought. Deep well sockets are $3 , or copper pipe (usually needs polishing).,.,

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Permalink Reply by Taffy Evans on August 2, 2018 at 5:04pm

Hi my first slide was a length of brass rod that I drill out to suit my finger size. the hole was tapered so it fits perfect. Still use it, its my favourite.

Taff