In this lesson, I want to show you a standard tuning slide guitar lick in the style of Warren Haynes. This is the first lesson where I use the 335 for playing standard tuning slide.
This guitar has not been setup for slide. The action is pretty low and I’m using a set of .010’s for strings.
It is harder to play like this, but not impossible. You really have to keep a light touch, while pressing the slide gently against the strings.
To get the tone for this lesson, the amp is a 1966 Fender Vibrolux on 6 with a Weber Mini Mass. For pedals I used a Fulltone OCD and a VL Effects Vintage Fat Boost pedal. Having them both on at the same time gives a real nice, fat overdrive like Warren always uses. The reverb on the amp was set to 4 which also contributes to the tone.
To learn more about playing slide guitar in standard tuning check out my Standard Tuning Slide Course.
Hi, great sound you’ve got there. I think OCD drive give a much more nicer sound for blues than Tube screamer.
What do you think?
Thanks for the lessons and keep going on licks using standard tuning, it’s really handy to be able to put some slide licks in our blues.
Cheers
Teza
Thanks. I hardly ever use my tubescreamer anymore. Very thin sounding to my ears. I’d rather crank the amp and use the VL Effects Boost.
Your 335 sounds just fine playing with the lower strings, John!
After listening to the recommendations on your slide DVD, I’ve raised the thick flat-wound strings on my SG to your suggested height of 3/16″ (4.7 mm) after years of playing at a height of 7/64″ (3 mm). While that lower height was mostly OK, it really needed to go up a touch, although I might lower it down a tad to 5/32″ (4 mm), just so I can continue to use my non-slide fingers a bit more easily on songs that need it.
Now, the problem remains for what to do with my Strat. I use .008″ strings with a very low action (in standard tuning) for lead, and I’ve found that playing slide on THAT guitar is problematic, as you can imagine, with such light strings. What’s the lowest height and thinnest striings you’ve had success with, John? Oh, and THANKS for your DVD courses, I’m learning more now than I have in a long time!!
Cheers,
Casey
I haven’t ever measured it but I wouldn’t ever use any strings smaller than .010s.
Thanks for the comment.
John