Slide Setup Issues

[ericmeyer4]

I'm noticing a weird setup issue with my strat. When I get on the 2 lowest strings at roughly the 12th fret it sounds absolutely dead. Like the slide isn't making contact with the string. Even if I make sure the slide is in contact with only that string it still happens. I thought I might have been hitting a fret so I raised the action up even higher and that didn't solve the issue either. I was playing in Open G and it was really bad. I tuned it to Open E and it was slightly better. Currently it is strung with .011s.

Any thoughts?

[firebirdV]

Are you using a glass slide? The Dunlop 231 has a nice flare that helps make full contact with the bottom strings (and is made of heavy brass). I have also noticed that lighter slide materials sometimes do not sound good with the heavier strings. They have no sustain, almost as if they are too light to hold the string down for proper vibration.

If that's not it, then I don't really have a clue.

[ericmeyer4]

Flared brass slide, a socket slide, Ernie Ball pinky slide, and two ceramic slides. Same issue with all of them.

[Gearjoneser]

It could be dead wound strings or a slide material that's not right for your style.

In open G, you don't really use the low E string anyway though.

Sometimes, the higher the action, the more dead it is. Or also because the neck isn't straight enough to be a rigid counterbalance to the higher action, you'll get a plunkier response out of the low notes.

[jeremy]

is it just the 12th fret or is it everywhere above the 12th fret?

[ericmeyer4]

Thought maybe the saddle height for the 6th string might be too low when compared to the other ones and it wasn't allowing the slide to make good contact with the string. Stuck a capo on the other 5 strings so they were out of the way of the slide and still had the same problem. No amount of slide pressure seems to solve the issue.

From about the 10th fret up on low strings is dead and muted when played with a slide. Fretted or open everything sounds fine. Strings are currently 3/16th of an inch of the fretboard at the 12th fret.

The problem is the worst on the 6th string and noticeable on the 5th string.


Edit: I'll try lowering the action and see if that helps.

Edit 2: Lowered the string and it is a bit better in Open E. Not really any better in Open G where I would prefer to play. Time to tweak some more.

[gibson175]

are those notes dead when you fret normally?
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[ericmeyer4]

are those notes dead when you fret normally?
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No only with the slide.

[jeremy]

does it sound weak acoustically or just plugged in?

[ericmeyer4]

does it sound weak acoustically or just plugged in?

Acoustically it is bad and plugged in it is marginally usable.


I think I have a few things going on. First was that I had the action set way to high. The next problem I think is that the 6th string saddle is a bit lower in the relationship to the rest making it difficult to get a slide on it cleanly. Something I noticed this morning was that I seemed to be putting a little too much pressure on the string from behind the slide and could have been pulling it away from the slide preventing contact.

I need to get the proper wrench to adjust the saddle height. I think that and a lighter touch should help.

[PRSfan nym 1985]

When you adjust saddle heights make sure that all your saddles mimic your fingerboard radius too.

Pretty much gonna agree with a lot of what's already been said, check and make sure your action isn't too high, check your neck relief, etc.

Unfortunately the only guitar I have setup in open g right now is one of my acoustics so I can't really give you my complete run down without resetting one of my electrics to see if I can replicate the issue you're having.

[ericmeyer4]

When you adjust saddle heights make sure that all your saddles mimic your fingerboard radius too.

Pretty much gonna agree with a lot of what's already been said, check and make sure your action isn't too high, check your neck relief, etc.

Unfortunately the only guitar I have setup in open g right now is one of my acoustics so I can't really give you my complete run down without resetting one of my electrics to see if I can replicate the issue you're having.

That is currently the plan. I was going to tackle all of this last night, but I didn't have a wrench small enough. I need to double check my tools to see if I have something better than plastic ruler to measure string height with. I guess I will be on my way to Lowes tomorrow.

[PRSfan nym 1985]

lol ahh yes good old home improvement stores

[Bludave]

Sounds like you may have some serious grooves in the saddle.

[ericmeyer4]

Sounds like you may have some serious grooves in the saddle.

The saddles are just like they came out of the factory.

[jeremy]

if you play that string without muting behind the slide, how does it sound?

[ericmeyer4]

if you play that string without muting behind the slide, how does it sound?

Better, but still there. It isn't so muted, but it still doesn't sound as good as it could. I think a heavy hand when muting behind the slide is a contributing factor. I noticed that I was pushing on the string this morning running over a few lines.

[jeremy]

for a long time i used an odd set of strings to keep my low e sounding right. i used a pure nickel string for 1-5 and a nickel plated steel for the low e. the brighter, louder string helped alot when playing up the neck. didnt really sound out of place either.

you got a weird issue bro

[ericmeyer4]

for a long time i used an odd set of strings to keep my low e sounding right. i used a pure nickel string for 1-5 and a nickel plated steel for the low e. the brighter, louder string helped alot when playing up the neck. didnt really sound out of place either.

you got a weird issue bro

I'll give it a good tweaking and see what I can come up with.