Looking for the best slides for your acoustic guitar?
Perfect!
In this insider guide, you will learn the following:
- What are slides for acoustic guitars?
- Can you even use a slide on an acoustic guitar.?
- How to get the size of your guitar slide?
- What are the different types of slides for acoustic guitars?
- What’re my favorite slides for acoustic guitars?
- And much more!
Below is a quick list of all my top products. Keep scrolling to learn more about how to choose and use the best slides for your acoustic guitar.
| Image | Product | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
My Top Pick  | My Top Pick | Dunlop 285 Preachin’ Pipe
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| View on Amazon |
Best High-End  | Best High-End | Shubb AX Axyx Reversable Slide
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| View on Amazon |
Best Budget  | Best Budget | Dunlop 246 Moonshine Ceramic Guitar Slide
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| View on Amazon |
 | Fender FCSS1 Steel Slide
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| View on Amazon | |
 | D'Addario Planet Waves Glass Slide
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| View on Amazon |
My Overall #1 Rated Pick
Updated 4/9/2020
Out of all the guitar slides I looked at; I have to say that the Dunlop 285 Preachin’ Pipe is my absolute favorite.
Why?
A Preachin’ Pipe is a quality tool designed to help guitarists replicate the sound of the incomparable Eric Sardinas.
In fact, this one is an exact replica of Sardinas’ own custom slide. It’s made from pure brass and is tapered to meet the contours of your guitar neck, ensuring the perfect string contact.
The tapered design also gives you the option of a heavy end for volume and sustain, or lighter for finesse and control. It’s a phenomenal piece of kit for any blues guitarist, and if you’ve read any of my other posts, you already know how much I love to play the blues!
Top 5 Best Slides For An Acoustic Guitar
In a hurry? Check out my top 5 picks below! Keep reading to learn more about these best slides for your acoustic guitar.
- Dunlop 285 Preachin’ Pipe (My Top Pick)
- Shubb AX Axyx Reversable Slide (Best High-End)
- Dunlop 246 Moonshine Ceramic Guitar Slide (Best Budget)
- Fender FCSS1 Steel Slide
- D'Addario Planet Waves Glass Slide
What Is A Slide For An Acoustic Guitar?
An acoustic guitar slide is a tube or similar item worn over a guitarist’s finger of choice, and it’s so-called because of the sliding movement up and down the neck of the guitar that creates its unique sound.
When playing slide guitar, the intent is to have tones resonate in ways a bare finger cannot achieve. In the beginning, medicine bottles or bottleneck slides were used because of their hard, smooth surface, and guitar players began to experiments with various other materials.
What Are The Various Types of Slide For Acoustic Guitars?
Glass Guitar Slides
Glass acoustic guitar slides are great for producing a smooth, warm tone. When it comes to choosing a glass slide for an acoustic guitar, going for a heavy wall option is your best bet. If you want to hear the full potential of glass slides, I definitely recommend listening to Derek Trucks.
Also Read: What are the top bridge pins for your acoustic guitar?
Brass Guitar Slides
Brass acoustic guitar slides are nice and heavy. More weight is good when it comes to using a slide on an acoustic as you’ll need the pressure to achieve higher volume.
Brass slides like the famous Dunlop 222, boast excellent sustain and bright tones, made even brighter when the brass is nickel or chrome plated.
Steel Guitar Slides
Steel acoustic guitar slides are lighter than their brass counterparts. The lightweight lends a gentler tone, and noticeably improves handling. High-end frequencies are exaggerated with stainless steel slides, and while decent sustain is achievable, it’s not as obvious as it is with brass slides.
Porcelain Guitar Slides
Porcelain acoustic guitar slides sit right between glass slides and brass slides as far as weight goes. This gives them a nice balance between volume and finesse. Different models are finished with different glazes, each of them bringing varying tones.
Legends like Aerosmith lead guitarist Joe Perry swear by porcelain slides like the Dunlop 255, so if you dig his sound, this is one for you to try!
Ceramic Guitar Slides
Ceramic acoustic slides, like porcelain, rest right between glass and brass when it comes to weight. Their handling and volume properties are therefore pretty similar to porcelain, as is their medium length sustain.
Also Read: What kind of acoustic guitar is best for kids?
Depending on the way the exterior is finished, ceramic slides can be smooth as the smoothest glass, or as rough as tarnished brass, both offering completely different sounds.
How to get the size of your guitar slide?
When you’re choosing a slide, there are two main considerations as fitment goes. First, size, which is the width of the opening. Next, length, which is how much of your finger the slide covers.
To make things easy, most guitar slide makers use standard Small, Medium, Large, and Extra Large as their sizing criteria. Unfortunately, there’s no universal scale for slide sizes, and one manufacturer’s medium might fit like a large from another.
If you know your ring size, this is a good way to get the approximate size you’ll need. Size 4 to 8 would be a small, 8 to 11 would be medium, 11 to 14 large, and 14 to 16 would be extra-large. Of course, personal preference does come into play, too.
Also Read: What pick to buy for your acoustic guitar?
The ring size model makes it simple to get your size, as the majority of guitarists use their ring fingers for their slides. This is mainly because of the additional control afforded by the support of the little and middle fingers on either side.
If you’re going to use your pinky for your slide, size down. If you’re going with the index or middle finger, size up!
Are Slides For Acoustic Guitars More Expensive/Costly?
Yes, and no! Yes, if you subscribe to the school of thought that you should always opt for thicker and heavier slides for acoustic guitar, then your available options will invariably be more expensive.
If you prefer a medium weight, the prices will go down, and if you’re looking for something more lightweight.
Also Read: How to pick the best amp for your acoustic guitar?
What To Look For When Buying A Slide For Your Acoustic Guitar?
Fit
A full-length guitar slide should fit snugly enough so that it doesn’t slip off your finger if your hand is pointing toward the floor, but not so tight that you can’t move your second knuckle slightly inside. Your guitar playing will suffer if you use an ill-fitting slide,
Weight
Slides with a heavier wall thickness tend to be better for acoustic guitars. Heavier slides produce more volume and less fret buzz. Lighter slides are usually more suited for electric guitars.
Finish
I personally like a smoother brass finish; it lends a nice warmth to my tone. Although, if you’re looking for a bright tone, I’d recommend something with a rough finish like a tarnished brass or unpolished porcelain slide.
My Reviews Of The Best Slides For Acoustic Guitars
If you’re looking for that amazing Eric Sardinas sound, short of playing thousands of shows with the same brass slide over your Dobro, there's no better way than to invest in a Preachin' Pipe from Dunlop.
It puts out a beautiful, warm tone, and it just screams classic blues. It’s comfortable, and the tapered shape minimizes fret buzz, which is ideal for beginners.
Pros
- Classic blues sound
- Extremely durable
Cons
- Contour may not fit all guitar necks
- Sizing can be inconsistent
Shubb AX Axyx Reversable Slide
It comes with 3 different ring size adapters, so it should fit most guitarists.
Pros
- Great tone
- Easy slide control
Cons
- Turning from slide to fretting takes practice
- Adapter sizes run small
Not only does the Moonshine Ceramic Slide look amazing, but it also sounds wonderful. It has warmth and great sustain.
It also feels great on the finger thanks to the porous interior, which helps to prevent the slide slipping from your finger with sweat – a common problem with glass and metal slides.
Pros
- Excellent value for money
- Hand formed
Cons
- Easily breakable
- Not great for those with larger fingers
I’ve always been a big fan of Fender products. The name stands for quality, and this slide is no different.
It’s the cheapest slide on test here by some margin, yet, sound-wise it certainly holds its own.
As a lighter slide, it’s not quite as loud as the others, but the tone is bright and clear, and it still boasts plenty of sustain.
Pros
- Super affordable
- Excellent treble tones
Cons
- Prone to fret buzz on acoustics due to lightweight
- Inside isn’t nickel plated
Pros
- 4 mm Thickness provides great volume
- Everlasting sustain
Cons
- Can be too snug fitting
- Quite delicate
My Top Pick: Dunlop 285 Preachin' Pipe
I’m a huge fan of the Preachin’ Pipe – anything I can do to even come close to the sound of Bluesman Eric Sardinas is a positive in my book! I’m yet to buy a Dobro resonator guitar, but this tapered slide blasts out those bluesy tones that Sardinas is so famous for.
It took me a long time to get used to using a slide. It’s an unnatural feeling at first, but the right design makes all the difference. The Preachin’ Pipe’s variable weight helps a lot with ergonomics and makes it easy to play slides accurately.
Final Thoughts On The Best Slides For Acoustic Guitar
Slide guitar is seeing something of a comeback. Blues, bluegrass, and country are all getting super popular, and artists are busting out the bottlenecks! It’s such a fun and interesting method of playing the guitar, and when played well it always sounds so impressive.
Choosing the right slide for you and your instrument is key. Dreadnoughts, concert style, travel guitars, and resonators when played with the same slide will all have different sounds and tones. For me, the best guitar slides have a sound you love, are easy to control, and most of all are comfortable!
