Finding the best guitar slide that will give you that smooth twang you are looking for isn’t that easy. Beginner slide players have a hard time deciding between a metal guitar slide vs glass guitar slide, but that’s why we’re here.
There are a ton of different guitar slide shapes and styles to choose from. Steel and glass slides have different tones, but they both sound good. Chances are if you enjoying playing slide guitar, you will probably want to get both. The main thing you should think about is your finger size and the accessibility of your slide. For instance, some slides have a cutout that make it easier to get on and off quickly when you are using the slide for solos and picking the rest of your song.
Let’s check out the the top-rated guitar slides and review their pros, cons, and tones, so you can find the best one for your sound.
Compare the Top Guitar Slides in 2020
Contents
- 1 Compare the Top Guitar Slides in 2020
- 1.1 Dunlop 210 Tempered Glass Guitar Slide
- 1.2 Dunlop DT01 Derek Trucks Signature Blues Glass Bottle Slide
- 1.3 Fender Steel Guitar Slide
- 1.4 Dunlop 221 Chromed Steel Slide
- 1.5 Dunlop 222 Brass Slide
- 1.6 Shubb AX Axyx Reversible Slide
- 1.7 D’Addario Rich Robinson Brass Slide
- 1.8 Dunlop RWS12 Billy Gibbons Mojo Guitar Slide
- 1.9 Clayton Pork Knuckle Ceramic Guitar Slide
- 1.10 Dunlop 243 Moonshine Ceramic Guitar Slide
- 2 What We Recommend and Why
Here’s a full list of the best guitar slides on the market that you need to add to your guitar collection.
- Dunlop 210 Tempered Glass Slide
- Dunlop DT01 Derek Trucks Signature Blues Glass Bottle Slide
- Fender Steel Guitar Slide
- Dunlop 221 Chromed Steel Slide
- Dunlop 222 Brass Slide
- Shubb AX Axyx Reversible Slide
- D’Addario Rich Robinson Brass Slide
- Dunlop RWS12 Billy Gibbons Mojo Guitar Slide
- Clayton Pork Knuckle Ceramic Guitar Slide
- Dunlop 243 Moonshine Ceramic Guitar Slide
Dunlop 210 Tempered Glass Guitar Slide
Specs, features, and benefits
The first guitar slide from this extensive list we would like to present to you is Dunlop 210. This is a medium wall thickness & medium size slide. It is the type of slide, which enhances the middle harmonics of the sound you generate on your instrument. Moreover, it seems like it was specifically made to produce blues sounds.
An important property of this slide is that it is made from boron silicate of high quality, which is known to be highly durable. Additionally, the base material (i.e. boron silicate) is heat-treated and annealed.
When we say medium size, what we actually mean is that the slide can be made so as to fit ring size 11. However, slight modification may be made. Instead of medium walls, you can have it with heavy walls too and in such a case, the slide fits ring size 10 ½. Also, if you want to be completely certain about the size of the slide, the large size is also available. In that case, it fits size 14.
Be careful when choosing the size, since it happens sometimes that the medium size & medium wall thickness are a bit too tight for your ring finger, so you might switch it to your pinky.
Pros and Highlights
- Accentuates the middle harmonics of your sound
- Processed from high-quality boron silicate
- Good for blues
Cons and Potential Flaws
- “Problematic” size
Bottom Line
Dunlop 210 is a medium-size boron silicate glass slide. If you want to produce middle harmonics and blues melodies this is the slide for you.
Dunlop DT01 Derek Trucks Signature Blues Glass Bottle Slide
Specs, features, and benefits
As for the second product in our list, things are a bit different. While for the first one we can say that it’s ordinary, the second one is far from that. The reason is that this slide has its famous “ancestor”. Namely, Dunlop DT01 was based on Derek Trucks blues slide. However, it is not only based on his original slide, but it also includes his signature.
Just like the model it was based on it is shaped like a bottleneck. What might make this slide even more attractive is that it is a large-sized guitar slide, which will allow you to play the guitar even if you have small hands, i.e. short fingers. Fun fact, having small hands at a young age was the reason why Derek Trucks started using the slide in the first place.
This is another slide model, which is quite fit for blues melodies. It also creates bright tones, which are nice and smooth at the same time. However, being large-sized it might create a bit of trouble for you finding the right finger for it.
Pros and Highlights
- Traditional
- Gives a bright and cutting tone
- Provides a fluid and vocal style.
Cons and Potential Flaws
- Sorry, guys, but you definitely won’t be able to play like Derek Trucks even if you have this slide.
Bottom Line
DT01 is a celebrity slide, which will definitely look great in your slide collection. If you are a fan of traditional slides, this is just the thing for you. Additionally, if you are a blues lover, this is definitely the slide you need to get.
Fender Steel Guitar Slide
Specs, features, and benefits
Coming from another renowned musical instruments’ manufacturer, FCSS1 also found its place in our list of the best guitar slides. It maybe does not have a celebrity look alike, but it still has its own perks.
One reason FCSS1 is good for you is if you prefer metal slides to glass ones. Obviously then, this is a steel slide which might make a better contribution to resonance than glass. However, what you need to know is that even though it enhances the sound it does not cause the annoying ringing. At the same time, it creates “steely” high-end tones and great treble tones as well.
The standard version of this slide is made as medium size, that is, 5.5 x 4 x 1.5 inches to be more specific. So if you do not have large hands, this slide is going to be a perfect fit and match for you. Being made of steel, you don’t have to worry about dropping it somewhere and have it shattered as a consequence. What is more, the length of the slide makes it possible for you to reach all the strings.
Pros and Highlights
- Sweet high-end tone
- No ringing
- Genuine Fender made to the exact specification
Cons and Potential Flaws
- Too small for your ring finger, so you’ll need an alternative.
Bottom Line
The first steel slide from our list, Fender FCSS1, is a medium-size guitar slide. It is a good choice if you want to avoid the ringing, which can sometimes occur with slides. It will also help you reach all the strings on your instrument.
Dunlop 221 Chromed Steel Slide
Specs, features, and benefits
If you like metal slides more than the glass ones, Dunlop 221 is another accessory you might find interesting. Made by a company with a long tradition of fabricating the musical accessories, Dunlop 221 can easily become one of your favourites.
Since it is made of chromed steel, it produces a more “mellow” and smooth sound than the brass products. It is quite fit for lovers of country or blues.
By its dimensions, it falls under the range of 9-10 ring sizes. With the inner diameter of 19 mm and the thickness of 3mm, the final outside diameter is 22 mm. What is interesting about this slide is that this is not a full-length slide. It is only 2 mm long so it results in the possibility to move, i.e. bend, your finger even with the slide on it.
This is an important property for those who like to combine full-length slides with shorter ones. Also, the fact that you can move your finger allows you to switch from regular playing to slide playing. Interestingly, even if it is not a full-length side it still prevents the ringing.
Pros and Highlights
- Ring size 9-10
- The length which allows the mobility of your knuckle
- Smooth tones
Cons and Potential Flaws
- Might still be a bit tight or short
Bottom Line
Dunlop 221 is a medium wall, short size slide made of chromed steel. The flexibility that it provides for your slide finger will make it possible for you to switch playing modes any time you like.
Dunlop 222 Brass Slide
Specs, features, and benefits
Dunlop 222 Brass Slide, Medium Wall Thickness, Medium is another side coming from Dunlop’s metal slides series. However, don’t be fooled by this “similarity”, since the 222 version is a completely different product meant for warm tones.
As the product’s title says, it is a metal version, but instead of chromed steel we are talking about brass now. If we talk about the size, this is also the size that matches ring size 10. The actual measures are 19 x 22 x 60 mm (inner x outer x length). The weight is some 1.6 ounces which makes it light on your finger. As a consequence, the playing is not complicated or burdened with unnecessary weight.
Obviously, Dunlop 222 is a full-size slide, which fits your finger completely. This is a welcome trait if you want to reach all the strings on your guitar. The slide is also characterized by its hefty mass. Moreover, this is the reason why this slide provides a warm, resonant tone. At the same time, even though it is made of steel, it does not feel heavy on your finger once you slide it on.
Pros and Highlights
- Great for classic and blues tones
- Fit for both acoustic and electric guitar
- Medium thickness, i.e. not too heavy
Cons and Potential Flaws
- Restricted flexibility of your slide finger due to full length
Bottom Line
Dunlop 222 is a full-size slide with a full length, which is excellent for covering all the strings. You can use it for both electric and acoustic guitar. Since it is made of brass, it yields warm tones.
Shubb AX Axyx Reversible Slide
Specs, features, and benefits
Shubb AX AXYX Reversible Slide is a bit different from other products we described previously. Made by Shubb, it is quite helpful during your guitar playing process.
Namely, this is another metal slide you can use if you prefer these from glass or ceramics. More specifically, we are also talking about brass as the construction material. As for this slide, it is usually said that there is no match for the sound it produces.
When it comes to its measures, it falls under the range of (small-to-) medium size with the actual measures of 4 x 0.3 x 2 inches. What makes it so different from the previous slides we listed is that it is “open” by the length from one side, which makes it easily reversible.
For crafty players, this possibility comes in as rather handy. For example, imagine you are playing with slide on, and you want to switch to regular playing. You either have to stop using the slide finger or take the slide off, which is practically impossible while you are actually playing a song. So in the case of this slide, you reverse it back in less than a second, leaving your finger exposed and free for playing.
In a similar fashion, when you want to switch back to slide playing, you just push it back.
Pros and Highlights
- Possibility to reverse it
- Light-weight (half of it is missing)
- You’re in full control of playing
Cons and Potential Flaws
- Size might be an issue if the product does not include adapters to fit different size of fingers
Bottom Line
Shubb AX Axyx Reversable Slide is bras slide, which creates an unparalleled sound. It is a perfect slide to make the switching between regular and slide playing as simple as possible. With this slide, you will be fully in control of playing.
D’Addario Rich Robinson Brass Slide
Specs, features, and benefits
The next guitar slide from our list also comes from a famous manufacturer of musical instruments and accessories. Moreover, it also bears the signature of a famous guitar player. And as the title suggests, it is Rich Robinson of the Black Crowes we are talking about. Additionally, it stands out from the other slides due to its golden shine, which gives it a more sophisticated note.
It is another brass slide in our list, which is the right thing if you want to produce blues on your acoustic guitar. But don’t worry; you can use it with the electric guitar just the same. Whichever the case, it will help to produce crisp and bright brass tones.
When it comes to its measures, we are talking about 3.7 x 3.7 x 1.5 inches of brass. As it happens, these are the only measures available for this specific item. However, this item is unique in our list since it is tapered on the inside. This is why it provides additional comfort once you slide it on your finger and at the same time it helps you be in control over the playing itself.
Pros and Highlights
- Sophisticated look
- Tapered on the inside
- Crisp and bright tones
Cons and Potential Flaws
- If you own this slide, it will take time and skill for you to play like Rich Robinson.
Bottom Line
D’Addario’s brass slide with Rich Robinson’s signature is an ideal accessory for both acoustic and electric guitar. Being a celebrity slide, it will give a more serious look to the person using it. Moreover, the internal side incudes a taper, which helps you, gain control over playing.
Dunlop RWS12 Billy Gibbons Mojo Guitar Slide
Specs, features, and benefits
Imagine sharing something with one of the top 100 guitarists of all times! And this one guitarist being Billy Gibbons, no more no less! Well, we might have just the thing for you! The next celebrity guitar slide in our list comes from Dunlop again. It’s just that we are now talking about the slide with Rev. Willy’s signature.
Dunlop RWS12 Billy Gibbons Mojo Guitar Slide differs from the previous items in our list in terms of the material it was made of. So, we are no longer dealing with glass or metal, but it is porcelain slide we are talking about. However, it’s not only that it’s made of porcelain it is also glazed and it shines so bright.
The original measures of Dunlop RWS12 are 3 x 6 x 3 inches and this is actually the standard large version. However, the item is also made as extra-large. Still, be careful since the standard version actually fits ring size 9.
Pros and Highlights
- Warm sounds
- Celebrity slide (looks good on your finger and your private collection too)
- The material gives a perfect balance between bright glass and tinny metal sounds
Cons and Potential Flaws
- Easily shattered, since it’s made of porcelain
Bottom Line
Our third celebrity slide makes the perfect middle ground between glass and metal. Dunlop RWS12 Billy Gibbons Mojo Guitar Slide will sound great for blues on your acoustic. If you want to brag either as a guitar player or a collector of musical accessories, you should definitely get this slide.
Clayton Pork Knuckle Ceramic Guitar Slide
Specs, features, and benefits
Manufactured by Clayton USA, Pork Knuckle slide is another product, which dispenses with glass or metal. The Pork knuckle slide is made of ceramic so it does not rattle as it happens occasionally with brass slides.
This is a large version, which can easily fit any of your fingers. The actual measures are 5 x 4 x 1 inches. What makes Pork Knuckle even more unique is that it is ribbed on the inside. This enables for the air to circulate thus providing a comfortable fit with added grip on your finger. In this way, it also prevents your slide finger and the inside of the slide itself from sweating and falling off your finger as a consequence.
As for sounds, you can use it on your acoustic (tends to give better performance) for blues or some jazz sounds too. Even if you decide to use it in some other way, know that Pork Knuckle ceramic slide is unparalleled in ringing sustain and volume.
Pros and Highlights
- Inner ribbing
- Unmatched sustain and volume
- Large size
Cons and Potential Flaws
- You need to be extra careful when handling; easily damaged or shattered.
Bottom Line
Clayton Pork Knuckle Ceramic Guitar Slide Large is a guitar slide with internal ribs, which makes you in full control of the playing process. These ribs help easy fitting on your finger so you don’t have to worry it will fall off or get stuck on your finger. Once you have tried it you will like the superb volume and sustain you will achieve.
Dunlop 243 Moonshine Ceramic Guitar Slide
Specs, features, and benefits
As it happens, our (unfortunately) non-exhaustive list ends with yet another product by Dunlop. This one varies from other Dunlop’s products on the list since the material it is made of is ceramic. This slide is great for both acoustic and electric guitar and it produces a bit more mellow tones than is the case with metal or glass. It is also great for warm tones.
The reason why this slide is additionally different is its unique exterior surface. Maybe the word, which describes it best, is dreamy. Just take a look at the deep blue outside which is glowing. You cannot but say that it’s dreamy and a little bit romantic.
On the other hand, the interior surface of the slide is not too processed or treated which is why the slide does not slip once you put it on your finger. Speaking of size, the actual measures are 5.5 x 4.3 x 1.4 inches, which come under the range of medium. It is a lightweight slide with only 2.4 ounces. This is why it is also comfortable even when you wear it on your pinky.
Pros and Highlights
- Lightweight
- Appealing exterior
- Balanced tones in between metal and glass
Cons and Potential Flaws
- Take extra care about the size
Bottom Line
Dunlop 243 Moonshine Ceramic Guitar Slide, Medium is a medium-size guitar slide, which fits your fingers properly. It brings about a dreamy note to your playing. It is almost like it was made for playing in the open during a bright night full of stars.
What We Recommend and Why
Finally, we have reached that part of the list where you get to hear our favorite.
So, lo and behold!
The award goes to Shubb AX Axyx Reversable Slide. It might be the least conventional of the slides on the list, but we would like to praise the innovation at this point. With us, this was the love at first slide!
This slide stands out because it does not burden your fingers while playing as it often happens with other slides (the metal ones in particular). It does indeed require some time for you to adjust and learn how to reverse it quickly without causing a delay in playing. But, we do believe that once you learn how to do it, you will slide away like never before.