I am building my own CBG and would like to use it for slide and chording. I am a total newbie when it comes to stuff like this. Can a slide generally be used with a fretted neck or should a slide only be used without frets? It looks like most videos show using a slide on a fretless neck...I am used to playing a slide on an electric guitar with the action set a tad higher. I can still play chords on it but I don't know how that would "translate" into playing a CBG. Thanks!
Basically what Anonymous Pick said - make sure the first (thinnest) string is about 1/8" from the edge of the neck, just like on a real guitar. Otherwise, you'll hear the slide clanking against the frets. It's possible to play it without clanking, but it's difficult to hold your arm and hand in the right position for very long.
For the height, make it similar to the set up you would use on your real guitar - slightly higher than normal fretting string height.
I set my strings 3/32nds" above the frets at the nut, this allows me to fret without getting sharp/flat notes and play slide with a light touch. It takes practice and your results may vary.
You need string height to above the frets for slide, but that works against you when fretting. So getting the right string height for both is something you have to work out with practice.
Otherwise you can get a removable nut height spacer to play slide on a fretted git, but that doesn't allow playing the frets.
I am a retired QM Nurse from the VA after 32 years and tend to fret things too much...:-) but hey! Thanks for all the great comments. This is a great site!
Comments
Basically what Anonymous Pick said - make sure the first (thinnest) string is about 1/8" from the edge of the neck, just like on a real guitar. Otherwise, you'll hear the slide clanking against the frets. It's possible to play it without clanking, but it's difficult to hold your arm and hand in the right position for very long.
For the height, make it similar to the set up you would use on your real guitar - slightly higher than normal fretting string height.
I set my strings 3/32nds" above the frets at the nut, this allows me to fret without getting sharp/flat notes and play slide with a light touch. It takes practice and your results may vary.
You need string height to above the frets for slide, but that works against you when fretting. So getting the right string height for both is something you have to work out with practice.
Otherwise you can get a removable nut height spacer to play slide on a fretted git, but that doesn't allow playing the frets.
Good luck
Uh What? COOL Huh Huh
I get it...you said "fret' things to much!
It translates the same.
Taff
yup.
might wanna raise the action a bit . but yup .
and depending on your slide abilities . you may not have to .
another tip is to set your bottom string closer to the edge of the neck to avoid fret raking .