It is currently Mon Mar 16, 2020 8:42 pm

All times are UTC - 7 hours



Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 19 posts ]  Go to page 1, 2  Next
Go to page 1, 2  Next
Author Message
Post subject: Setting up a Strat for slide
Posted: Wed Jan 09, 2013 1:32 am
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Sun Jul 29, 2012 12:36 am
Posts: 7
Hi Guys,
I've decided to take up slide guitar and want to use my Strat for that purpose. Is setting the guitar up for slide something I can do myself or should I get a repair person to do it? Any assistance you can give me would be welcome.

Thanks in advance.


Top
Profile
Fender Play Winter Sale 2020
Post subject: Re: Setting up a Strat for slide
Posted: Wed Jan 09, 2013 1:50 am
Offline
Aspiring Musician
Aspiring Musician
User avatar

Joined: Sun Jul 24, 2011 1:59 am
Posts: 492
Just raising the action will get you most of the way towards a perfect slide setup - a few twists of an allen key in the saddles, job done. Very, very hard to go wrong if you do it yourself. :mrgreen:

Some people fit a raised nut for a dedicated slide guitar, but I've never found that necessary.

I've also used the 'ghetto slide setup' quite a few times on sessions - wedge a pencil under the strings at the first fret. :lol:


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Setting up a Strat for slide
Posted: Wed Jan 09, 2013 2:05 am
Offline
Rock Icon
Rock Icon
User avatar

Joined: Thu Dec 31, 2009 10:34 pm
Posts: 10760
Location: Athens, Greece
Image

Image

Image


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Setting up a Strat for slide
Posted: Wed Jan 09, 2013 6:25 am
Offline
Professional Musician
Professional Musician
User avatar

Joined: Wed Feb 08, 2012 1:33 am
Posts: 1247
Vulpinity wrote:
Just raising the action will get you most of the way towards a perfect slide setup - a few twists of an allen key in the saddles, job done. Very, very hard to go wrong if you do it yourself. :mrgreen:

Some people fit a raised nut for a dedicated slide guitar, but I've never found that necessary.

I've also used the 'ghetto slide setup' quite a few times on sessions - wedge a pencil under the strings at the first fret. :lol:


+1 (except for the pencil trick!)

I'd like to add that you might wanna use thicker strings.
I usually play 9s but use 13s for slide (and open tunings), which leaves my slide strat for nothing else but slide.

you gotta check, if your sliding sounds good with your "standard" string gauge, mine didn't!

Changing from 9s to 13s most likely will make a complete new setup necessary.
I had to adjust the trussrod and the string action and add springs to the trem claw to prevent my trem from lifting from the body (I have them all blocked by resting on the body, I don't use them on my strats). Everything else was fine!

_________________
Kindest regards from Germany, Dee
My recordings --> http://www.soundclick.com/bands/page_mu ... dID=564337
STRATS ROCK!!! but Teles and Firebirds, too!


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Setting up a Strat for slide
Posted: Thu Jan 10, 2013 7:23 pm
Offline
Professional Musician
Professional Musician
User avatar

Joined: Sat Jan 29, 2011 6:10 pm
Posts: 2261
Location: Elay
Smokin' Frets wrote:

I'd like to add that you might wanna use thicker strings.
I usually play 9s but use 13s for slide (and open tunings), which leaves my slide strat for nothing else but slide.

Changing from 9s to 13s most likely will make a complete new setup necessary.


I've been thinking of setting up my strat for slide. But, my strat has the LSR nut. If I'm not mistaken, I've read that the LSR will only take up to an 11 set of strings. Is this correct?

_________________
'10 American Deluxe HSS Sunset Metallic
'10 JA-90 Thinline Telecaster
'15 Music Man JP-15 Blueberry Burst
'07 Les Paul Standard Faded LCPG #82
'14 Carvin ST300
'12 Carvin CS424S
'66 Guild Starfire IV w/Bigsby
'14 Warmouth Partscaster Daphne Blue


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Setting up a Strat for slide
Posted: Thu Jan 10, 2013 8:03 pm
Offline
Roadie
Roadie

Joined: Mon Feb 22, 2010 4:16 pm
Posts: 288
Has anyone else found the 9.5" radius to be a little too curvy to effectively play slide? Maybe it's just me being a total novice, but it seems much easier trying to play slide on my LP copy which I believe has a 12" radius.

_________________
[08 MIM Standard Arctic White] > [Danelectro Fish n Chips EQ > Radial Texas Bones OD > Tonerider British Distortion > Electroharmonix Russian Big Muff Pi > Vox V847 Wah] > FM65R


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Setting up a Strat for slide
Posted: Fri Jan 11, 2013 5:52 am
Offline
Professional Musician
Professional Musician
User avatar

Joined: Wed Feb 08, 2012 1:33 am
Posts: 1247
Drew365 wrote:
I've been thinking of setting up my strat for slide. But, my strat has the LSR nut. If I'm not mistaken, I've read that the LSR will only take up to an 11 set of strings. Is this correct?


I don't know the LSR roller nut (that's what you meant, right?).
I can't imagine that a manufacturer would produce something with such a limited use but I can't say for sure.
Check online if there are any reviews. I've never played or owned a strat with this nut.



Brian_Strat_215 wrote:
Has anyone else found the 9.5" radius to be a little too curvy to effectively play slide? Maybe it's just me being a total novice, but it seems much easier trying to play slide on my LP copy which I believe has a 12" radius.


The radius doesn't matter, because you don't touch the fretboard when sliding.
Usually you don't slide over all 6 strings, so you can adjust the angle of the slide to correct for the radius. Needs some practice ... done!

The string height, which is supposed to follow the fretboard radius can be adjusted at the bridge. You might wanna adjust the radius which is formed by the 6 strings over the fretboard, if that makes it easier for you to slide. Won't affect playing chords very much but might affect playing bending notes. It's a matter of trial and error until you find the perfect setup.
You better adjust your sliding style a bit by adjusting the angle of the slide in reference to the strings you slide on. It doesn't have to be 100% horizontally. (does that make sense anywhere outside my head??)

_________________
Kindest regards from Germany, Dee
My recordings --> http://www.soundclick.com/bands/page_mu ... dID=564337
STRATS ROCK!!! but Teles and Firebirds, too!


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Setting up a Strat for slide
Posted: Fri Jan 11, 2013 11:29 am
Offline
Roadie
Roadie

Joined: Thu Jan 10, 2013 3:56 pm
Posts: 212
Location: DaRk SidE of THe MoOn :)
Quote:
I've been thinking of setting up my strat for slide. But, my strat has the LSR nut. If I'm not mistaken, I've read that the LSR will only take up to an 11 set of strings. Is this correct?

im looking at an american deluxe hss strat with the lsr roller nut that is for sale and the owner says it has 13s on it so i assume its do-able..i havnt actually seen the guitar yet though.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Setting up a Strat for slide
Posted: Fri Jan 11, 2013 1:06 pm
Offline
Aspiring Musician
Aspiring Musician
User avatar

Joined: Sun May 18, 2008 9:04 am
Posts: 715
Location: Marshfield, MA
You could try just heavier strings. Re-set the guitar after putting them on and maybe just raise the action a little if you find the slide's still hitting the frets..
It's nice to have the guitar set so you can still fret the strings and use two and 3 finger chords here and there, and some lead riffs too.
Important thing is to get a slide that fits your finger... one that allows your finger to "breathe" but not so loose to be sloppy. If you turn your hand toward the floor, your slide should stay on.
I prefer a long, thin-wall brass one. Nice bite, easy control.
Fatter strings will help keep the slide off the frets.

_________________
Image


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Setting up a Strat for slide
Posted: Sun Jul 31, 2016 2:44 pm
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Sun Feb 28, 2010 7:46 pm
Posts: 13
I bought a Strat in 2011 when I was performing and was going to make my Les Paul Studio into my main slide guitar, but I saw a video with Mick Taylor playing slide on a Strat and it sounded so sweet I wanted to set it up with high action like the LP and play slide on both. No big deal, I'd just reset it if it didn't work out.

It didn't really work well except for playing slide in standard tuning. There was more slack in the Strat, and at the time I was already using .13s. I told the guitar tech I was working with and he suggested a raised nut. I was a little concerned, thinking of resale value, but I decided to go for it. Right before he was about to do it he called me and said he'd have to break the binding. I didn't even know there was binding on a AmStand Strat nut. You can't see it unless you are looking at it very closely. Most guitar store salespeople don't even know about it.

But I said ok, with some reservations. I played with high action à la SRV for years, so that wasn't much of an issue. I actually played mostly standard tuning with it, with the guitar tuned down a half step. That worked fine, and I played "Little Wing" a lot anyway. But recently I've been woodshedding in Open G and D, and any regrets disappeared. Modding the nut will devalue the guitar as a standard-tuning playing instrument, as you'd have to reset the nut again to sell it that way. I haven't tried to sell it with it set for slide and don't intend to, but I don't see any reason why a slide player wouldn't be interested in a near-perfect condition Strat that's already set up and that they can try out first. And I have a Squier Strat. Not even in the same league as far as tone, but if I was starting out on slide I'd set a Squier and see how I liked it.

Here's the rundown
• I use the LP for playing in Open E, usually through the neck pickup and drive channel of my Fender Deluxe. The bridge pickup sounds too bright and brittle. For Allman-style (rock) slide the LP sounds better. You don't need heavier gauge strings with the tension of Open E, but if you use .13s you'll never break a string. Easier to convert to standard tuning. Used to play the LP in Open D and G, but even now with having developed a lighter touch it's just not the same as playing with a raised nut, would make playing in standard tuning impossible. Best for single-string playing higher up on the neck.

• The Strat (with a higher nut) sounds better in Open D and G, and all over the fretboard. Sounds good through bridge and neck pickups, with a lot of tonal possibilities, and sounds way better through the clear channel than the LP. Playing fingerstyle can lead to knocking the switch out of the neck position, which can be avoided by using the bridge pickup. Strat sounds way better than LP for chord playing (with slide) and fingerpicking is easier. Wouldn't bother trying to play "One Way Out" on it though. Also, fretting an F chord takes effort. If it's crucial to fret that first F note on the high string for your playing, don't raise the nut. I play one song that uses an F, so not a big deal.

I have had tendonitis for a while now and it started to get worse due to non-guitar activity (typing, mouse-clicking). My ear has developed to the point where I can hear when the notes go slightly sharp due to fretting with high action, but no one else notices and it's not as bad when tuned down a half step. I lost the solo gig a few months after I got the Strat, and I haven't had a new once since so I was considering lowering the nut again so it could be played in standard without dropping a half step. Before I did that I wanted to get all the slide playing I could out of it, so I've been getting in four hours twice weekly and started paying more attention to Sonny Landreth and Ry Cooder.

And I fell in love with it, and decided not to change it. I love playing in the open tunings, and have been using the Strat to play Stones songs that Keef plays live in Open G (JJ Flash is a gas, but Ventilator Blues is fun as hell to play). Looking to either get a Tele or a PRS for a medium action guitar now. The Tele I would def not break the binding on. American Standard Strats are so prevalent that unless I was buying them to keep them pristine for 20 years instead of playing them there's no reason to be thinking resale value. If you think you will only be playing for a few years before trading in your Strat, don't mod it. If it's your instrument, make it yours. I bought new because I don't have to deal with any hidden defects and had a warranty. But know you have a commitment to slide playing first.

I was thinking I can use the LP to play in Open E and A if I reset my Strat for better standard playing. It's not the same as Open D and G. Landreth does it, but he sings and has a tenor range that works better in E. Still, the string tension is sufficient in Open E and A to get a good feel for playing in the corresponding D (for E) and G (for A) on your main instrument without needing to have it worked on. Landreth suggests tuning to Open E and learning to play in the key of D. I did this for a few, but in the end it's better for me to have a guitar set for playing Open D. If I was playing live in Open E to match my voice I'd commit to learning to play in D (while tuned to Open E) more.

I just learned about extension nuts. Seems like it might be ok for acoustics judging by all the reviews, but not a new electric. In the end, I made the right decisions. Also, if you put a higher nut on your guitar and generally tune down a half-step, you can use a capo on the first fret and get lower action. The bridge saddles are still high, but you can fret an F chord easily.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Setting up a Strat for slide
Posted: Sun Jul 31, 2016 5:23 pm
Offline
Amateur
Amateur

Joined: Sat Dec 13, 2014 6:18 pm
Posts: 141
I'm just starting out with slide, and am not confident with open tunings so I'm learning in standard tuning. All I've done so far with changing my 2014 AmDlx Strat is to switch to .010 strings (had been playing.009s) and readjust the action to 3/32nd across the board, which is somewhat higher than I was originally using. Paired with a Dunlop thick-walled glass slide, it sounds really good, the action is still OK for non-slide playing, and I'm not getting any fret buzz.

I've also been experimenting with the S-1 in conjunction with slide to get more gain, and the middle switch position with S-1 engaged gives a great tone with my Blues Jr; add a bit of an overdrive pedal with it, and it's pretty intoxicating. Still have a long ways to go to be comfortable with this new technique, but it sure puts a smile on my face 8)


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Setting up a Strat for slide
Posted: Sun Jul 31, 2016 6:16 pm
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Sun Feb 28, 2010 7:46 pm
Posts: 13
When you're ready to give open tunings a shot you can start by putting a heavier gauge high E on if you find yourself scraping the bottom of the frets. You're going to raise the G, D and A strings anyway to play Open E, so the tension will be okay. You'll be buzzing if you try open D or G. I found it a little tricky early on getting used to staying in standard and just playing the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th strings (G-chord) but after getting damping down in open tunings it was easy. Acoustic is a better place to start on open D and G. It's a lot of fun.

David Gilmour's everyone's go-to for standard tuning slide playing, but Warren Haynes is an advocate as well. His old instructional videos are awesome, and so are Arlen Roth's and Andy Aledort's online vids. And check out this Sonny Landreth:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rmhir9D6IVQ

Andy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sM_LA070YMw

Arlen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vFeQ80FVkBE

I start out trying to play what they teach and go off into my own world.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Setting up a Strat for slide
Posted: Mon Aug 01, 2016 3:15 am
Offline
Aspiring Musician
Aspiring Musician

Joined: Fri Apr 15, 2011 4:49 am
Posts: 661
Location: Cambridge UK
All this slide talk encourages me to show you what I've been using since the early 70's. I fabricated it out of a steel sleeve (from an old telephone exchange) and - as you can see - didn't spend a lot of time on finishing it off! I've always used it on my 1st finger - it's the only way I can do Johnny Winter-type stuff.

Purists, look and cringe...! Cheers - Peter.

ImageImage


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Setting up a Strat for slide
Posted: Mon Aug 01, 2016 6:24 am
Offline
Aspiring Musician
Aspiring Musician

Joined: Wed Mar 05, 2014 10:33 pm
Posts: 811
Peter S wrote:
All this slide talk encourages me to show you what I've been using since the early 70's. I fabricated it out of a steel sleeve (from an old telephone exchange) and - as you can see - didn't spend a lot of time on finishing it off! I've always used it on my 1st finger - it's the only way I can do Johnny Winter-type stuff.

Purists, look and cringe...! Cheers - Peter.

ImageImage

If it works, it's OK with me--I ignore purists as much as possible.

_________________
Good Vibes To Y'all!
Blues, Rock and Outlaw Country
Texas Roadhouse Music at It's Finest...


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Setting up a Strat for slide
Posted: Mon Aug 01, 2016 7:02 am
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Sun Feb 28, 2010 7:46 pm
Posts: 13
Nice! That would sell online, but then it wouldn't be all you. Every style of slide allows for something different


Top
Profile
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 19 posts ]  Go to page 1, 2  Next
Go to page 1, 2  Next

All times are UTC - 7 hours

Fender Play Winter Sale 2020

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: Google [Bot] and 2 guests


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum

Search for:
Jump to: