Bottleneck slides: which (non-metal) model is best for warm and sustained tone?

[echo unit]

I am looking for a slide that is nice and full and warm sounding that will give me lots of sustain. I don't want a brass or any kind of metal as I find the metallic sound of it on the strings to be a bit harsh. Looking for big, full, warm and sustained.

I would also prefer one that is not too heavy as I will be wearing it only pinky finger and I have a small pinky.

Is there a make and model that is best?

Out of the Dunlop ones, which is best for warm full sustained tones?

[HHB]

IMO you gotta have a slide w/ some weight to it to get the tone your describing, those test-tube weight slides should be banned

[Crazyquilt]

IMO you gotta have a slide w/ some weight to it to get the tone your describing, those test-tube weight slides should be banned

Absolutely. Not only that, I find really light slides actually harder to play than slides with a bit of mass. And I play with my pinky, as well, and have pretty slender fingers. I usually use a Dunlop with the thickest walls I can find, and then just get the diameter that fits best. I've been tempted by the Diamond slides, though.

You might also consider trying one of the glazed ceramic slides. I think they're a bit lighter, overall, than glass, but have a very similar tone. The unglazed ceramic on the inside of the slide can make it easier to grip, if you're having problems with that.

[WordMan]

I have a few Delta Sliders from Elderly music - glass, made from real, old wine bottles. They sound better than I play slide...

[cpsdawg]

i use my pinky as well. the thin wall pyrex like dunlops suck and are hard to play. the thick walls are best and they make lots of sizes and lengths. i also like the old coricidan bottles like Duane Allman used. they are closed on one end, but my finger hits that so it stays in place well.

[GuitarG]

I'm using the Delta Sliders as well. For years I made my own wine bottle slides, but the Sliders are finished better than mine and sound great.

[pbradt]

I am looking for a slide that is nice and full and warm sounding that will give me lots of sustain. I don't want a brass or any kind of metal as I find the metallic sound of it on the strings to be a bit harsh. Looking for big, full, warm and sustained.

I would also prefer one that is not too heavy as I will be wearing it only pinky finger and I have a small pinky.

Is there a make and model that is best?

Out of the Dunlop ones, which is best for warm full sustained tones?
Without a doubt, the 213. Big, heavy glass. If you don't need the diameter, the 215 is about the same thickness, but somewhat smaller diameter, as are the 212 and the 218, which are shorter.

[tommyg]

Glass...without a doubt has the smoothest tone. I "borrowed" a bunch of tall double-shot shot glasses from the club I played in: They were blue with the SKYY logo on it. But they are seemless (i.e., blown glass) and have a beautiful rich tone!

I've used shot glasses before with a lot of success due to their weight and - usually - seemless design.

[Rebel-Guitars]

I agree that glass has the smoothest tone, I prefer the thickest I can get over my ring finger. Although I don't like it to go past the knuckle. I like the metal slides also as long as they are thick.

[SouthernShred]

Moonshine Slide or Mudslide...

[nashvillesteve]

I've had everything from metal, wine bottle neck, pyrex (crap)...

My favorite is the Duane Allman style corricidian bottle slide. It's not super heavy, but after messing around with the heavier ones for a while, you learn how to throw your hand back and forth instead of the slide. Plus, it's a bit neater I find...

I like most all of 'em, that's just what I use these days.

[pbradt]

I agree that glass has the smoothest tone, I prefer the thickest I can get over my ring finger. Although I don't like it to go past the knuckle. I like the metal slides also as long as they are thick.
The Dunlop 212 or 218 (depending on the diameter of your fingers) is the slide you seek.

[Curly]

I like the Dunlop 2-- series, too, with pyrex heavy walls. I use a 215 (medium) on my pinky, and I have small hands.

I have tried quite a few others -- I like a small Coricidin, especially for single note playing.

However, I think the thick walled Dunlop fits your description best.

[WordMan]

I have tried quite a few others -- I like a small Coricidin, especially for single note playing.


The biggest issue with Coricidin bottles is that they are closed on the end - if you sweat at all, they get more slimy and uncomfortable - at least I experienced that. It's why I switched to Delta Sliders...

[Scott Cioe]

My favorite is the ceramic "mudslide".It is soically like a cross between metal and glass.could be worth a lokk for you.

[ES350]

I use 100 yr old whiskey bottle necks that I find in dumps and ghost towns out here in the wild west---some are 1/4 inch thick and they sound great.

[B Vance]

I agree that glass has the smoothest tone, I prefer the thickest I can get over my ring finger. Although I don't like it to go past the knuckle. I like the metal slides also as long as they are thick.

I agree. Mine is always going to go on my ring finger. The slide has to fit snug as well. I don't like the ones that flip-flop around while you're playing them. The thicker/heavier the glass and the thicker the string gauge the better and high action in my humble opinion. As for brand, I like the typical, run-of-the-mill Dunlops.

[datguytim]

MUDSLIDE - ceramic or clay - END OF STORY. ;)

[Mullet Kingdom]

I've seen slides made of Rosewood.

Pyrex is light weight but it doesn't sound as good as glass. Slides don't cost that much -- buy a few different ones and see what works best for you.

[GuitarG]

I really like the Mudslide for acoustic and with my National. I like the Delta Slider wine bottle slides a bit more for electric. But from time to time I'll use a ceramic on electric, particularly w/ Fenders. It is a good, smooth sound.

[MK.II]

I prefer the Coricidin bottles. I still have an original one from the '70s (I had two...lost one!). I bought them at the grocery store, threw away the pills, cleaned off the label, washed it and was all set to go. I recently bought a repro (Mojo something?) and it's about 1/8 longer than my original, nor is it exactly the same but it will do.

[Mullet Kingdom]

Conversely, the best metal slide IMO is a spark-plug socket. :AOK