Adding slide to your guitar arsenal is almost like adding another instrument. It’s a different sound, feel, and vocabulary that you can play on your favorite guitar. Whether you prefer glass, brass, chromed steel, porcelain, or whatever material that works, it becomes a precision instrument like anything else in your guitar sphere. Some players fashion their own slides out of existing materials so besides cost there are hours involved. Bought or sculpted, once you find a slide that works you want to hang on to it and most commercially available slides come in disposable packaging. Throwing an unprotected slide in your guitar case can cause nicks, chips, dings, and cracks that are detrimental to the slide’s performance and tone. Protect that slide!
Here are two convenient solutions that are virtually free:
- Re-purpose an over-the-counter pain reliever or prescription medicine bottle
This method works exceptionally well because it is a tough, slim-profile case for your slide. This will allow you to pack your slide in your cable bag, the front pocket of your guitar gig bag, or in just about any case. Make sure the bottle’s opening is large enough to accomodate the largest part of your slide if your slide is an uneven shape. Standard antibiotic prescription bottles and 500-count ibuprofen, acetaminophen, or asprin bottles fit most slides and if the slide rattles around once it’s in the bottle, use a small piece of craft or packing foam to cushion it.
- Wrap it in your guitar polish cloth
Everyone has one of these lying around. Although not as robust as the bottle method, it will certainly keep your slide from unnecessary damage if it’s well wrapped and kept in the pouch of your hardshell guitar case.
Hope these tips help keep you slde in good shape; happy sliding!
