Slide

I took a break from my usual country music this morning and played slide guitar instead. I tuned my Martin 000 to open G and sat around conjuring Robert Johnson.

My wife told me it sounded like the soundtrack to some movie about a murder in Mississippi back in the early thirties or something. She said I should watch out I don't bump into Legba down at the crossroads and laughed. I guess those are complements.

Anyway, I'm pretty new to playing slide, despite having played guitar since 1968. I learned how to sound like that from Bob Brozeman's Bottleneck Blues book (http://www.amazon.com/Acoustic-Masters-Brozmans-Bottleneck-Guitar/dp/1576237273/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1340392507&sr=1-1&keywords=slide+guitar%2C+brozeman), which I highly recommend if you're just starting to learn to play slide. It got me sounding like I know what I'm doing pretty quick.

I reckon I'll eventually pick up the Warren Haynes book and get some Duane Allman tab and try it on my Tele. But for now, it's a lot of fun sitting around the house making sounds like the Delta blues.

Maybe I should go look at the National guitars... Oh jeez, here I go again! Does it never end with the GAS?

Rick

GAS never ends!

I've been toying with slide for a couple of years, thinking about getting some books myself.

I've been playing slide since about 1960. Lotsa fun. Don't forget to try doing some "slants". Gatton's "Funky Mama" is fun to play bottleneck style!
Here are two of my dedicated bottleneck guitars. The blond is in D tuning cuz it's harder to get to the high root with no cutaway. Sunburst is in G, cuz you can get to the high G easily. Oh,,,,, and they're both Nationals! And sound killer!

I have been wanting to try my hand at slide playing, normally I play pedal (E9), and lap steel (E7). (My Tele playing really isn't worth mentioning!) Maybe this year.

Bill,
I've been playing lap and pedal steel since 1970. It's how I paid my bills for years. So,,,, when you try bottleneck, don't forget to use some of the "slants" you've used in playing lap. Some are pretty hard to do physically, but many can be done. And don't forget "tipping"

Here's a chord that uses a slant, and also the tip of the slide to play two strings,

Thanks you, I have only recently been attempting slants on the lap, and have only had the Sho-Bud for a few years. I'm beginning to see some of the notes in the fretboard, and realizing the combinations necessary to build proper chords.
Quite a bit different from moving your feet, and legs!

Ah!!!!! Shobuds! My favorites! I restore them. Only have 4 right now! What do you have?

Wait til you try open E.

Started out tinkering with slide in STD tuning. Went into open G a couple months ago and been hooked ever since. I have just tried my best to imitate what I hear so far.

There was a used square-neck resonator at the local music store last weekend, going for real cheap. I picked up a nice ukulele instead.

Maybe it will be there this weekend??? (like I need another hole in the head!:wink: )

Paul

Here's the three first chords of Garner's arrangement of Misty. Full Jazz chord style, with 4 and 5 note chords, plus bass notes. It's in D Tuning, same as E, just a whole step lower, which suits my voice better. Played in the key of G. Slide on Ring finger, so that I can play notes above and behind the bar. Give it a try!

I'm gonna keep the lessons, thanks!
I have an old LDG that belonged to my friend Ted. He and I worked in quite a few bands over the years. His widow brought me his guitar when I was talking to her about an old 400 Fender I picked up.

Bill,
What mechanics does it have! Year? Used to talk to Lloyd on the phone when I worked for Buckaroo Jerry Brightman, at Performance Steel Guitars. Lloyd is the reason I play steel guitar!

I don't have a picture of the underside, I'm pretty sure it's a '79. I remember Ted showing up for a gig with it, (he had back problems, and we always helped him load in). His wife said there was almost a divorce, (I'm don't believe that!). Said he paid $1200 in Phoenix, and traded his ?.

I restore old Shobuds. That's a wonderful guitar, but it may have pot metal parts. Knee lever brackets seem to break fairly often. My friend, James Morehead makes replacement parts from aircraft aluminum. PM me if you ever need parts, and I'll put you in contact with James, or Ricky Davis. They;re the Kings of Shobud restorations,

Thanks, when I first set it up the LKR was broken. I got an aluminum replacement from Mars. Don't know if they are still in business.

James Morehead, SGF, seems to be the main supplier of parts, knee-lever kits, and restored guitars. Ricky Davis' work is superb, and Michael Yahl is also making parts. My '74 came with only 1 knee. Now has 6, thanks to Ricky!