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I am in search of perfect slides for guitar.
So far I have tried a couple but really haven't found anything that really catches my fancy.

I am looking for slides that sound good on acoustic as one category and electric on another category.

I did a few internet searches and realized that it could get quick expensive trying all the different types so what is out there and what do you use it for. Lots of curiousity about ceramic and magnesium or better quality glass.

There is no "perfect slide for guitar".

It varies from guitar to guitar.

String gauge, action, your playing style and personal preference are also important factors when selecting a slide.

Unfortunately, you'll probably need to try a lot of slides before you settle on one (or more).

Fortunately, they're usually not that expensive (individually).

I happen to like porcelain a lot, but only sometimes.

lumena wrote:I am looking for slides that sound good on acoustic as one category and electric on another category.

Why? Guitar gear doesn't get much less expensive than slides. I'm a bit worried about you.


I use glass because that's what my guitar teacher recommended back in the day, but I only play electrics. Slide works great with drop tunings and fuzz or distortion.

I guess you all shop better than me - i find that 20-40 $ to try some of the more interesting materials a bit high I was just looking for any hints about better clay, porcelain, magnessium etc, plain glass like in the image above is pretty flat and adoesn’t add much character, the copper slide in image is way too light -still looking- but don’t worry about me. I am fine just probably more frugal that you.

Perfect for...
Thick and smooth: porcelain
Warm short decay: wood
Bright and clear: glass
Warm with grit: ceramic
Cutting: thin wall brass
Cutting and smooth: chromed thin wall brass
Smooth and gritty: stone
Ebow: stone
Aggressive: thick wall brass or bronze
Short sustain and bright: copper water pipe

Thanks... that is a great list

That is a great list, but it doesn't really take into account weight or length of the slide.

If these were pre-COVID times, I'd say just go to a guitar shop and try out a bunch of slides. Unfortunately, that's not really an option anymore.

Chankgeez wrote:That is a great list, but it doesn't really take into account weight or length of the slide.

Yeah... But then that goes back to your first post, strings etc.. Also finger and hand size, also fingers or picks, and what picks?

Then you have to think on perfect for the you... Personally there is no slide too heavy as i like to use them on bass.. And that means most slides that work on guitar don't work...

Ok as for eletric vs acoustic.. My list of basic averages applies... But the differences are more pronounced... Same with pick materials though...

And the big one.. Technique... What finger? Do you prefer open or muting behind the slide? Do you like playing like cooter, raitt, son house , muddy waters mark sandman and so on and so on...

Excellent points!

Everyone knows Son House's technique is the best. Given lumena's location, Tampa Red's style may be more appropriate though.

Not going to argue with that
Bonus round is playing with 2 slide players on Son House songs at the same time... fun and infuriating...

I like a lot Ceramic slides, and have few from Rocky Mountain Slides (USA) and Star Singers Slides (UK).

I like especially very thick walled slides, they gave me the feeling they deliver a more consistent sound.

the heavy wall slides from Silica Sound are my favorites for both fit & sound:
https://www.silicasound.com/

i've tried a million of them (my second favorite is a section of an old bar stool that i cut off & polished myself)

voerking wrote:the heavy wall slides from Silica Sound are my favorites for both fit & sound:
https://www.silicasound.com/

i've tried a million of them (my second favorite is a section of an old bar stool that i cut off & polished myself)

I haven't tried their slides but my all time fave tonebar is the Brass N' Glass #115

i tried a few different glass/brass/steel ones and decided that, for actually playing decent slide, fit is most important. being a pinky guy my go-to is the glass dunlop thick wall, short (but not "knuckle"), smallest fit.

Ok update or something..

Best slide for bass is Tone From The Stone Jade slides. Nice and heavy, you can play clean even on the low strings. I like these so much I just ordered a few more for backups. These are sold through Walker and Williams straps [also! peeps! if you ever need a leather strap these guys rock and are cheaper than levy's]

The important part though is the weight, I also just got a jade slide by Stone Picks, Co and while it is a very nice slide it is not heavy enough for bass, now.. if you want a stone slide and want a slide more along the weight and feel of a conventional glass slide I recommend them.