There comes a time in every guitarist's development when they take an interest in learning slide guitar. It's one of the more unique sounds in the world of guitar, and if you want to make the most of this incredible technique, you'll need one of the best guitar slides.
The classic sustain and tone that distinguishes slide from any other type of guitar sound is also equally unique in how it is achieved. By running a cylinder made from glass, metal - or any other material for that matter - over the strings of our guitars, we can achieve an incredible sound with a smooth, vocal-like quality, and add another voice to our guitar repertoire.
From the outset a slide may feel cumbersome and awkward, which is why equipping yourself with one of the best slides that is comfortable and ergonomic is so crucial – it really can be the difference between great slide tone and almost-unlistenable noise.
There are plenty of different styles of slide, from classic bottle necks, to metal slides that offer a lighter, brighter feel and sound. So whether you’re just starting your slide journey and looking for the best place to set off, or if you’re in the market to upgrade, read on to find the best slides around.
My top picks
The Rock Slide Joey Landreth Signature Brass Slide is one of the best around, combining comfort and tone in a handsome package. Anything that Joey Landreth is happy to put his name against when it comes to slide is going to be good, and this certainly meets every expectation.
For those just dipping their toes into the world of slide, you can do so confidently and on a budget with the Fender Standard Steel Slide. It can't boast the levels of extreme comfort as some more expensive slides, but it has great tone and is excellent value for money
If you're an electric guitar player, we’d recommend trying the Dunlop Derek Trucks Glass Bottle Slide. Glass bottle slides are as classic as they come in the world of slide with a unique and awesome tone, but they’re not always that comfortable… except this one is!
Best overall
Joey Landreth is arguably the most exciting new slide guitar player to emerge in recent years. His singing, soulful lead lines, smooth vibrato, and technical prowess are quite something to behold and elevate the art of slide guitar to a whole new level - what is it with the surname Landreth that makes you a slide god?
One thing that helps Joey achieve those soaring tones is his signature Rock Slide - well, that and an insane amount of practice. Rock Slide sure know a thing or two about guitar slides - having produced them since 1999, with many shapes and materials available. Landreth opted for a modified version of the standard small brass slide, elongating it to 2 ⅛". It also features a unique cut-out on the side, which gives your other finger somewhere to rest, making the slide more comfortable and stable.
The increased mass at the tip of the slide also provides enhanced sustain and better balance. So if you are looking for a super versatile, great-sounding, and highly comfortable slide, then look no further than the Rock Slide Joey Landreth Signature Brass Slide.
Best budget
Okay, we know slide guitar isn't exactly easy and the thought of dropping $30 on an expensive bottleneck only to find out it's not for you doesn't make financial sense. Well, luckily, there are more cheap slide options out there than you can shake a stick at, but the Fender Standard steel slide would be our go-to.
This basic steel slide offers a bright attack with plenty of sustain and is brilliant for use on electric guitar. The steel construction means it's robust and durable - and unlike glass, there is no need to worry if you drop it.
If you fancy giving slide ago and need something to get you started, this is probably the best option out there for you.
Best for electric
It's hard to talk about slide guitar and not mention Derek Trucks. What this man can achieve with a glass slide and a Gibson SG is nothing short of magical - for reference, check out the live rendition of Midnight in Harlem by the Tedeschi Trucks Band to see a slide masterclass in action.
For the most part, Trucks can be seen putting a traditional glass slide through its paces, and he isn't often seen without his trusty Dunlop Signature slide on his ring finger.
This glass slide is based on a "medicine bottle" design, with a weighted closed end for increased sustain. Glass provides a soft, smooth tone that is less harsh when compared to brass or chrome. However, it has to be said that this is a rather large slide, so it may not be great for skinny fingers.
Best for acoustic
Taylor Guitars isn't just known for their insanely beautiful looking- and sounding - guitars, but also their environmental endeavors. The Ebony Project set up by Bob Taylor in 2011 saw Taylor Guitars become co-owners of an Ebony mill in Cameroon in an effort to make using this highly prized wood on their guitars more sustainable.
As part of these efforts, Taylor doesn't want to waste a single piece of this gorgeous dark wood if they don't have to, and therefore makes slides out of offcuts of the ebony that would typically be used on the fingerboards or bridges of these stunning guitars - they also make coasters from the wood that is removed from the soundhole. Although, we aren't here to talk about coasters…
As far as tone goes, the ebony slide offers the warmest tone out of all the entries on this list and pairs very nicely with the bright attack of a Taylor guitar. That said, it has nowhere near the amount of sustain found on a glass or metal option.
Best for beginners
If you're just getting started playing slide guitar, then the Ernie Ball Comfort Slide is an excellent option. It provides comfortable performance at a reasonable price point, and is available in three different sizes.
The main benefit to beginners of this EB slide is that soft inner sleeve which grips your finger, providing stable performance. Whereas traditional slides can move around if they don't fit well, the Ernie Ball Comfort Slide isn't going anywhere.
Despite the very modern look, it's actually made out of machine-turned brass, a traditional material for guitar slides. This ensures it delivers a warm sound to your guitar playing, excelling with both electric and acoustic guitars.
Best for blues
So far, we have covered all the main slide food groups - brass, chrome, glass and even wood, and so naturally, the next logical step would be porcelain. If glass slides are smooth and metal is bright, then the porcelain option is the perfect middle ground.
The added weight of a porcelain slide gives you an intense sustain perfect for long-held notes. At the same time, the quick attack makes it a great option for electric players looking to add a new sonic flavor to their playing.
The Dunlop Boneyard slide is a reasonably chunky ceramic slide used by the Aerosmith axeman, and as you'd expect, it generates a tone all of its own. Considering it's relatively low cost, we highly recommend picking up a porcelain slide if you haven't tried one. They are a lot of fun - just don't drop it.
Also consider
For me, the slides above should have most bases covered. That said, I appreciate there's no one size fits all option here, so if you didn't find what you were looking for up to now, here are some more options for your consideration.
How to choose
When it comes to buying a slide, there are a few things you need to consider to ensure you get the most out of your new toy. Below you'll find the answers to a few of the most common questions regarding buying your first guitar slide.
1. Size
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This is the one area that only you will be able to tell, as it comes down to how big your fingers are. Most people use their pinky or ring fingers for slide playing, as this allows you to continue playing conventionally with your index and middle fingers. The fit should be pretty snug, whilst remaining comfortable, which means you have plenty of control.
Unlike the majority of guitar products that have standard units of measurements, slides are a little less consistent, with some measuring in mm, whilst others opt for ring sizing – so you may need to measure your fingers to find the best fit.
It’s also worth bearing in mind that depending on the material, certain slides may feel chunkier, for example glass slides are often thicker than their metal counterparts. If you have small hands, a big chunky slide may feel cumbersome.
2. Material
The material of the slide is a very important consideration. Whichever you choose will significantly impact the tone you get out of the slide. Generally speaking, glass will give you a smooth tone.
In contrast, metal slides offer a brighter and more immediate attack. While Ceramic slides sit somewhere in the middle of glass and metal and are thought to be the best of both worlds. Wooden slides - like the Taylor option above - offer a mellow, muted response.
3. Weight
Heavier slides will generally be a little more challenging to manoeuvre, but they will typically have more sustain. A lighter slide will be easier to move, but there is a tradeoff in the sustain, so you may need to find a balance between the two that works for you. If we had to recommend, we would always say to go with comfort first, because it doesn’t matter how much sustain a slide has if you’re struggling to move it around. After all, you can always build up to heavier slides with practice.
Many of the best slides on the market have a weighted end, providing the optimal sustain while keeping overall weight down, which means comfortability is maintained without sacrificing tone, though these will typically be more expensive.
FAQs
Is a glass or metal guitar slide better?
In general, metal slides will produce a bright, striking tone, which some people may find a little piercing, but can work really well in a band setting to sit above the rest of the mix.
Glass offers a smoother and slightly warmer tone that would be ideal for players looking for something vintage sounding.
If you’re looking for a combination of the two, a ceramic slide would be the best option, giving a great mix of brightness, whilst retaining a good level of smoothness.
For players looking for a more unique sounding slide, a wooden option might be worth exploring, which can offer the most warmth and great sustain, but does remove the trademark ‘zing’ of slide playing – we like this type of slide for acoustic playing.
What slide is best for an acoustic guitar?
The general consensus is that a glass slide is better for acoustic guitar because of its warmer tone, but to be honest there's no real best slide for acoustic. It all really depends on your playing style, and what sort of tone you want to enunciate from your acoustic guitar, so it's worth trying a few different materials to see which you prefer.
Are thicker strings better for slide guitar?
For the most part, slide guitar players will use thicker gauge strings and a higher action - the distance of the strings from the fretboard. You tend to get better sustain with thicker strings, which assists the playing of slide.
Should a guitar slide be loose?
Unless you find it to be comfortable, a guitar slide should fit your finger nice and snug. For most guitarists a slide that moves around on your finger prevents you from using it accurately, so a tight fit is preferred to a looser one.
How we test
Here at Guitar Player, our team has been using guitar slides for a long time, whether that's testing them for our guides or just when we're playing in our own bands. With a huge number of years using guitar slides in real-world scenarios, you know you can rely on our recommendations.
For a guitar slide to make it into our guides, it needs to be available in a few different sizes. Guitar slides are a very personal thing when it comes to fitting, and because everyone's fingers are different, our first port of call is to ensure the slide in question comes in a variety of sizes, and that we're able to find a size that sits comfortably. It's probably the key factor in what makes a slide great to play, which is why we look at it first.
Next we'll think about the weight of the slide. Again, this is a very personal thing as some guitarists like a light weight and others prefer something with a little more heft. Some slides are also heavier on one end than the other, so this is another key consideration when looking at the best guitar slides.
Finally, we'll look at the material and its effect on the guitar's tone. Different materials have different characteristics, but as to whether or not they're good, that's entirely in the ear of the beholder. Whilst we can remark whether a slide sounds warm or bright, we'll refrain from passing any judgment, instead aiming to provide a clear insight into how it sounds.
Read more on how we test gear and services at Guitar Player.
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