How to Know What Size Guitar Slide to Get

I common question I get asked when players are looking to society their Diamond Bottlenecks Slide is, 'How do I brand certain I order the right size for my finger?'. I promise to help with that question with this little guide, it's simple don't worry!

With generic music store metallic or pyrex glass slides, nigh are just sized Small, Medium, Large etc, with a lot of players struggling to detect i that's just correct from those general sizing's. That'south where information technology becomes very handy that Diamond Bottlenecks do what they practise! As sizing options becomes much more refined meaning you're more than likely to find the exact size that volition see y'all playing much more comfortably, therefore helping y'all with your playing!

As I usually stock a broad selection of Diamond Bottlenecks 'Ultimate' slides, I individually list the measurements of each slide to assistance you find the right one. So hopefully this guide further assists you lot likewise!

Measuring the Internal Bore
The principal two sizes you'll desire to concentrate on in terms of finding the one correct for yous, is the internal diameter and the length. The internal bore of the slide is what effects how the slide fits on your finger. So get-go of all, to mensurate the slides in store for our listings, we grab the digital veniers, this ensures nosotros're getting a nice accurate measurement, and only measure it'due south internal diameter at it's thinnest signal. The measurement on the slide product listings will be this measurement, and that's the one you want to take most attention with. Some of the slides do accept a tapered internal diameter, and what that means is it may be wider at one terminate of the slide to the other. This is a overnice feature that allows for a more 'snug' fit if maybe you have slim fingers and find generic slides wobble about at the thinner part of your fingers. And so for this, a tapered measurement volition be listed. This is just measured past us past taking measurements from either terminate of the slide. To see if this is suitable for you, accept note of the thinnest of the 2 measurements :-)
To match this up with what size your chosen slide finger is, take hold of a pocket-sized rule, or verniers if you have them (yous'll become a more accurate measurement with them simply the ruler volition however go you the measurement y'all need) and once again, simply measure your desired finger at the widest indicate. I usually go for the first finger knuckle as 99% of the time that's the widest point. I utilise my third finger for slide, and then here every bit an example for you. Aforementioned dominion applies for your pinky, though!
Like and so:

Or with the veneers:

So one time y'all have grabbed that measurement, you pretty much know what sized slide yous demand to be looking for & ordering. I regularly personally select my stock from Diamond Bottlenecks workshop, so if in that location isn't currently one in stock that suits your measurements, go along checking dorsum for updated listings.

Length of Slide
Then, what are the other measurements we listing? Length of the slide is important hither, every bit some players similar a shorter slide for unmarried string or notation work, whereas most will want a full length to comfortably cover all the strings. Nosotros always mensurate this with Verniers to ensure it's an authentic one for y'all, and it is elementary measure across the length of the slide similar so:

Anything over a 60/65mm length volition cover near fretboards, so that's a nice reference signal for you. Longer is just downwards to personal tastes and how the slide feels to use. The longer the slide, usually the heavier it volition be too, as there is more Lead Crystal in that location!

Sidewall Thickness
This measurement, although doesn't affect how the slide fits, will affect how it sounds. The reason why atomic number 82 crystal slides sound as great as they exercise, is their weight. In comparison to very lightweight pyrex, pb crystal carries a lovely density to the drinking glass which creates the tone we love, peculiarly with resonator slide playing for example. So a thicker sidewall, will increase that wonderful thick tone, and the thinner the side wall, volition mean it's a little lighter in weight increasing it's agility on your finger. So it'south definitely worth considering for your slide playing manner. If you similar to be lightening quick over the strings, and then perhaps look for a thinner sidewall, equally it'll be lighter in weight making it more than agile. If it'due south irksome and steady for you, and so a thicker more toneful sidewall may be best suited. Hither's how nosotros measure the sidewall thickness:

Dome or Open up?
Y'all may have noticed some 'Dome' topped slides listed, and thought they were perhaps just for lap steel players. Well, not necessarily. Dome topped slides can give a regular bottleneck player a swell feeling slide. Basically due to the dome top, the slide has a bit more than weight at the end of your finger meaning accuracy and residual improves. There'due south no correct or wrong on this, it's all personal preference. But if you're a swell actor, certainly requite it a try, yous may be surprised and wonder where information technology's been all your life! Open top is the nearly popular choice though, and one I personally use, it is nice to mix information technology up every once in a while though and I do too still like using a dome top slide for lap slide playing. Lots of versatility here!

Wrap up
Although I've gone into quite a fleck of detail hither, information technology is in fact really simple to find the right one for you. We e'er aim to have a range of sizes in stock to suit most, merely like I say, If you don't see the correct one listed for you then drop united states a message! We'll happily assist, as after all, I'm actually passionate virtually slide guitar and beloved to aid like minded players out.

Cheers for checking this guide out and I hope it helps you discover the right slide for you lot.

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Source: https://www.homeoftone.co.uk/blogs/news/129684423-how-to-guide-helping-you-get-the-right-size-slide