[starsailor]

Hi probably a stupid question but thought I'd ask.

I've got a cheap encore electro/acoustic that has a higher action than my other guitars and I don't play it as much.
I was going to shave the saddle down to lower the action but I just thought could I play it as a slide guitar?
Would It make a slide guitar, it spends a lot of time stuck in its case these days and I thought this would give it a purpose.

If can what do I have to do to set it up?

[allthumbs]

Just put heavier strings on it and your good to go. At least a 13 set. You can put even heavier strings for the first two. I use a 16 and 18 for the first and second strings.

[starsailor]

Originally Posted by allthumbs

Just put heavier strings on it and your good to go. At least a 13 set. You can put even heavier strings for the first two. I use a 16 and 18 for the first and second strings.

Thanks allthumbs, I'll set it up with 13s, the 16s and 18s should be ok on this, as it's electro acoustic do you agree all I need to do is get a slide whats the best to use or will any do, I think I'll wait before I use some of the more unusual objects.

By the way I didn't buy that guitar I asked about, it went for £43 including post, someone might have recognised what make it was but it was unnamed and looked like too much work for a novice.

Thanks for the advice, always appreciated.


Chris

[allthumbs]

For dropped D or standard playing, you want a short slide like Kirks' brass slides. Only 4 strings max. line up at a time so the short slide makes more sense.
For open tunings, a longer slide is used since all 6 strings line up.
The heavier the slide, the better the tone and sustain. Brass slides have a rougher sound than glass. Try both and see which you like best.

[cossack]

Originally Posted by starsailor

Hi probably a stupid question but thought I'd ask.

I've got a cheap encore electro/acoustic that has a higher action than my other guitars and I don't play it as much.
I was going to shave the saddle down to lower the action but I just thought could I play it as a slide guitar?
Would It make a slide guitar, it spends a lot of time stuck in its case these days and I thought this would give it a purpose.

If can what do I have to do to set it up?

G"day, be careful regarding tuning as open e for example puts a lot of pressure on the neck on a acoustic, where open d would be fine.
i use steel or brass, brass gives a more mellow sound.
i have sent away for kirks slide dvd as i have an acoustic that i dont play much but could use it in dropped d tuning.
cheers cossack

[tina_]

Why not just try it with slide and see what it sounds like? Slides are cheap enough to start with. Just get one thats comfortable.

Then you'll know what it sounds like, if the action needs changing and if you need heavier strings. I was doing ok with 10's. I've gone heavier but you can always do that later

[starsailor]

Originally Posted by cossack

G"day, be careful regarding tuning as open e for example puts a lot of pressure on the neck on a acoustic, where open d would be fine.
i use steel or brass, brass gives a more mellow sound.
i have sent away for kirks slide dvd as i have an acoustic that i dont play much but could use it in dropped d tuning.
cheers cossack

Thanks for the reply I'll just keep it in dropped D tuning or standard while I'm learning, this will fit in with Kirks lessons if I get on well I'll probably add a slide guitar to my humble collection, at the moment I'm like you, I have this acoustic that isn't played much and it would be better to make use of it and a bit of fun as well.

Thanks for your reply Tina I've got Martin 11s on the Guitar at the moment which I put on last week so I'll start with them then switch to the heavier ones when they need changing,

Cheers

Chris