Small Talk #5: Strings for playing slide guitar by Dale Anderson of the Delta Jets

D’Addario EJ42 (16-56) Resophonic Guitar Phosphor Bronze Acoustic
D’Addario EJ11 (12-53) Light Gauge 80/20 Bronze Acoustic
D’Addario EJ21 (12-52) Jazz Light Gauge for electric
Ernie Ball individual 16s (found on eBay, or perhaps at your local Guitar Shop)

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

Dale Anderson / The Delta Jets I'd suggest trying a MagSlide because it allows you to switch to Lighter Gauge Strings & Lower Action as it's only 39.6 grams.

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

Dale Anderson / The Delta Jets The Mag Slide allows for thinner strings

[@Mosey410]

I only own one resonator , a 93 National Delphi. I’d like to play it in open tunings and standard. I’ve been told a few times to use 12s with a 56 . I’m used to figh action parlor guitars with 11s and 12s . Would I be able to go between tunings from open to standard or generally is a guitar an open guitar or a standard? Thanks I really dig the video.

[@idobro]

I have a nice Yamaha acoustic that I use 13s on. The strings are a bit heavy and I tune to half step lower and it seems just right, sound wise, and playing wise.. Another acoustic as well as my resonators I will use the 12s light gauge set or the 13s medium gauge set. I go back-and-forth between 12s and 13‘s. The only thing missing is a heavier first string. It’s hard to bend a 16 on the first string. But then again, it’s hard to slide on a 12 or 13 on that first string. If I were you, being accustomed to 11s and 12s, I’d go with the 12s on your national. Try a little bit of slide, and if you have trouble hitting the frets on that light 12 gauge string, try a single 16 sometime and see how you like it.

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

I use really light gauge strings cause I have a Magnesium Slide.

[@idobro]

The only thing I would add to that is a little bit heavier first string … play on!

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

@@idobro Actually I don't do that these days. I keep the original gauge of all the strings because the MagSlide (Magnesium Slide) is super light weight which allows for that plus it has a more rounder sound:kzbin.info/www/bejne/Zp23kKBqj9-akKM

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

@@idobro A MagSlide allows you to stick w/ lighter gauge strings & lower action cause Magnesium is the lightest weight material which is very gentle on the fretting hand & has minimal string noise.

[@idobro]

@@RockStarOscarStern634 …. There was a local musician about my age, Gary Shaw, who played fabulous blues, and rock. He was in several big bands over the years. As a matter of fact, he wrote a popular song that’s on TV here in the Midwest all the time, “Save big money at Menards”. If you live somewhere in this area, you’ve heard this song a million times. He played banjo on the actual recording and he wrote the song. He got 50 bucks for it. Well, Gary’s band and my band we’re sharing a night in the Fox River Valley here in NE Wisconsin. He was playing his old Gibson 335, and I’m sure he had 10s on it. He came down to my table and grabbed my big heavy Dunlop Mudslide slide and played the most beautiful sound. I’ve ever heard on those light gauge strings with a heavy slide. A priceless moment.!

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

@@idobro Not only does the Mag Slide allow for Lighter Gauge Strings & Lower Action, it also has minimal string noise:kzbin.info/www/bejne/Zp23kKBqj9-akKM Listen to this

[@albertlevy3721]

I have never played or owned a resonator guitar about a year ago i picked up a fender fr 50. I have heard all the insults and smugness from everyone. I am using a medium set of 56 to 13. Would the jump to 56 to 16 be more than the guitar could handle or will I end up with a pretzel.

[@idobro]

The 16-56 set is just a 13-56 with a 16 on the first. Barely any change. I recently began playing gigs regularly, something I haven’t done since the pandemic began 4 years ago! And I switched back to lighter strings just because I’m 73 years old and it’s getting a little harder to play longer than one or two KZbin songs. I’m back to one or two hours! But the set I use for playing out is 12-53 with a 16 on the 1st. Makes it just a little bit easier to play an hour and a half set or just play longer, period. I do lighten up the action, a little bit raising it. Anyway, good luck and have fun play slide guitar. I love it!

[@albertlevy3721]

@@idobro I am 67 years old was using 12 and 13 but noticed a difference with a 15 when a 13 broke from changing tunings. Thanks for your help.

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

@@idobro How about keep the 12 on the 12-53 but use a Magnesium Slide.

[@idobro]

In my area, I have become well known as a good slide guitar player. And in doing the old blues, I’ve played it quite a few Blues Festivals from Memphis and Chicago, plus a number in Michigan and Wisconsin, and I am always well received. I have been playing cheap Guitars, much like your Fender … Regal, Airline, Republic, all imports. I don’t care what people say about my cheaper guitars, I play better than the people I see with $3000 Nationals and such. I believe I am more true to the blues - the people who were poor and making up the genre 100 years ago. To heck with people who are smug and insult you. 👍👍 for your love of music.

[@DLawrenceMarketing]

I recently purchased a Gretsch Boxcar round neck reso and the OEM strings are 12 gauge. Do you recommend 16 gauge for this type of guitar?

[@idobro]

@@DLawrenceMarketing … I assume you’re going to do some slide guitar on it. 13s really sound good on the wood body Gretsch spider bridge guitars. D’Addario makes a 16-56 set for Resophonic Guitar that’s perfect www.ebay.com/itm/264488928170?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=CQ0ONgorQGi&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=6ejr--t8TEG&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

[@DLawrenceMarketing]

@@idobro Definitely playing slide on the Boxcar. I'm thinking 14 gauge but I wanted to try 16, concerned about too high tension, don't want to warp anything or do another set up. I watch your videos daily. You're a skilled gentleman

[@idobro]

@@DLawrenceMarketing … I use a 14-59 set on a thick-neck Tricone, and when I do, I tune it down to Open C chord. I always buy packs of 16s for my number one string on any of the guitars, and I often use 12s, replacing only the first string. I’ve always liked the snappy lead guitar kind of sound playing through fender amplifiers. I feel better with a little bit lighter set.

[@DLawrenceMarketing]

@@idobro Thanks for the tip, so only change the E 12 to a E16. I think the neck of the Boxcar is fairly robust, can the bridge slot hold the thicker string well?

[@idobro]

@@DLawrenceMarketing … I have had a 12 set as well as a 13 set on mine and the nut is just fine