Where are the bottleneck guitar string experts?

[BluesKing777]

I put a 2nd string(16-17?) to replace the first string on my Blues King to play slide/bottleneck. The light gauge 1st string is useless for slide - too skinny sounding. The thicker string sounded fantastic except over a few weeks the guitar moved (neck, bridge? - scary sound) and won't stay in tune, so I returned to light guage (12).

 

It now sounds @@##@@#$#@#!!!. for bottleneck, but stays in tune again (phew).

 

The guitar was recently set up for light gauge strings with a medium low action.

Do I need to get it set up again if I go to mediums (13 - 59?) or change just the 1st string to a 14?

 

The Blues King has the sound I want with the thicker string.

 

Is there a compromise setting that works for other slide players out there - I do like to be able to fret normally, but....

 

Any acoustic slide players around - opinions??

 

 

Regards

BK.

[Versatile]

Hi BK....I believe the answer lies within the question !!

 

IMX care is advisable in putting heavy strings on acoustics, whether singly or as a set

 

Are you using a particular open tuning, as some will involve dropping down from standard tensions more or less?

 

Action height is a personal thing too...pure slide vs fingered chords in addition

 

A single strand 3rd is a possible

 

As is a set of flatwounds

 

Lowell George was the lowest, dirtiest, meanest slide-dude that ever was....to compare.... :blink:

 

V

 

[Rambler]

BK -- yeh, 16s are overwhelming for a flat top (even Nationals, says Bob Brozman himself, unless dedicated for lap style. Paul Rishell uses lights on his). Bad for the guitar, bad for fretting, which is part of the Delta thing.

 

What will work is to fatten up the high E. A 13 will do. Paul Geremia, who knows a thing or two about delta blues, has been known to use that set up on his J35. It supports the slide but you can fret it, which is what you want to be able to do

 

Keep in mind that the Delta style is about singing guitar, not going waaaah (power thing). Glide the bottleneck over the strings, dont land on 'em

[Rambler]

Paul Geremia playing his Son House tribute My Kinda Place. Note the mix of slide and fretting. Lights on a Borges J35 clone

[BluesKing777]

Thanks people

 

I'll try the 13 on the Blues King - I need to go to the music shop see what they have in singles.

 

Paul Geremia is cool!

 

I myself have been working on a slide/fretting mix for quite a while. That is why i don't want to raise the action on the Blues King too much.

 

Here is a link to my Youtube vid of 'Love in Vain' in G tuning with my all hog guitar that will remain un-named, but has a thick 1st string. Works perfectly - still in tune a few weeks later....probably the neck about to blow!

 

I eventually would like the triumvirate of Gibson J45 for standard tuning plucking, Blues King for D tuning, and another as yet unpurchased Gibson (vintage L00!!!!) to replace this guitar on G tuning duties. Love the Gibson acoustic sound.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iTowGuwwGE8

 

Regards

BK

[Rambler]

Paul's great (here's a website a fan keeps up for him). http://www.paulgeremia.org/ More recommended listening. Paul Rishell and Annie Raines. Youngblood Hart. Steve James. Rory Block. For slide lessons, try Stefan Grossman bottleneck Guitar, dvd or book/cd set. Grossman also has a guitar artistry (interview/performence) dvds on Geremia and Block, which you can sample on YT.

 

Re guitars, dont rule out an old Harmony for a Gibson LG1. Save a few bucks and get your sound. L00s are great but you have to pony up.

[BluesKing777]

Paul's great (here's a website a fan keeps up for him). http://www.paulgeremia.org/ More recommended listening. Paul Rishell and Annie Raines. Youngblood Hart. Steve James. Rory Block. For slide lessons, try Stefan Grossman bottleneck Guitar, dvd or book/cd set. Grossman also has a guitar artistry (interview/performence) dvds on Geremia and Block, which you can sample on YT.

 

Re guitars, dont rule out an old Harmony for a Gibson LG1. Save a few bucks and get your sound. L00s are great but you have to pony up.

 

 

Thanks Rambler.

 

I have never heard of Paul Rishell and Annie Raines, so I will look them up in a minute. I have almost everything from Grossman and Block. I have Steve James Roots dvd (a favourite).

Another great teacher (dvd) is Mike Dowling (varies from pretty easy to impossible!)

 

LG's:

I've been keeping an eye out for Harmony/Gibson LG and I have been following the LG threads, latest by Acousticologist.

I have an newish Epi EL00 - very skinny neck, and I wonder if they copied the sixties LG instead of L00. It looks more like than an LG1.

I want a wider neck like Acousticologist is looking for (50's).

Anyone know a site to look for LG's?

 

Regards

BK.

[Rambler]

Anyone know a site to look for LG's?

 

The usual. Gbase.com. Ebay. Glad to pass on the info, talking blues. Paul Rishell cut his chops in the 60s, strong Son House influence (did some shows with him. Son told PR "you dont have to go down the blues road, son")/. Based in Boston. Website is here http://www.paulandannie.com/mojorodeo/shows

 

Rishall playing Dallas by J-Winter

[BluesKing777]

Changed my 1st string from 12 to a 13 guage as suggested. It is better, but I will need a while to get used to it with slide.

May try a 14 later (if you can get them), but 13 seems to be a good compromise - still in tune, no drama!

Thanks everyone.

 

Regards

BK.