How to Choose a Slide to Play Slide Guitar

The slide is not a complicated piece of guitar equipment. It's a one piece tool with no frills for playing several genres of guitar music. The slide is essentially just something to put pressure on the strings as you play, but as with all of your guitar gear, there are some considerations to think about when buying a slide.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Check your budget. One factor in choosing slides is price. Metal slides can go as high as $20, and possibly higher, but some slides, like "bottle" slides, are actually just small glass pieces that you should be able to find for next to nothing at a sale or lying around the house.

2. Consider your string action. Metal slides are generally used with higher action or heartier strings, as the metal slide is "heavier" and takes a little TLC to protect the fret board.

3. Make style decisions. Glass or ceramic slides can give you a more "down-home" image if you're playing the street blues, indie or other low-rent genres. But if flamboyant looks aren't what you're going for, a nice metal slide is always recognizable as a tool in the professional guitar players' belt.

4. Look at your "havoc" factor. Yes, glass and ceramic slides are pretty well-built (usually) but not all of them will stand the test of transport, tour buses and general wear, so if you're at all worried about things getting thrown around, a metal slide might be the best choice.

5. Test out your slide. Listen to the sound. Many slides have similar sounds, but some can produce slightly different tones that you may like. Take your slide for a "test drive" before buying so you know you'll be happy with it.