How to Turn an Acoustic into a Slide Guitar

A slide guitar is a particular technique of playing the guitar. It refers to a sliding motion across the strings used to cause a continuous transition in pitch. Make changes to your guitar to accommodate slide guitar playing. Use the tips below.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Find a guitar with a bent neck. You can get a used one cheaply since a guitar like this is no longer good for regular playing.

2. Loosen the strings by turning the tuners counter clockwise. You are loosening the strings to allow the nut to be removed.

3. Remove the nut. You should be able to do this with a little tugging, or you may need a screwdriver or something to pry it out if the neck is very bent.

4. Replace the nut with a new one that sits higher and straight across. This makes the strings sit higher and causes the sliding to sound more powerful.

5. Tighten the strings again by turning the tuners clockwise once the new nut is in place. Tune the guitar again.

6. Replace the bridge for an even better sound. This raises the strings even more. Remove all of the strings. On some acoustic guitars, the bridge may be adjustable like they are on electric guitars.

7. Find something to slide. Almost anything hard can be used, so find something that works well for you and fits in your hand well. You may use a bottle, a tuning fork or anything. Use it in your first 2 fingers while playing.