String size for playing slide

[duzie]

So I’m dipping my toe into the abyss
Entertaining the thought of using a slide on occasion.
I’m an absolute novice to this and am seeking advice.
This will be with an electric guitar.
Think I’m going to start in standard tuning.
Most likely I’ll dedicate a guitar just for this.
What would you suggest for string gauge?

 

[Aelred]

Fwiw, from https://www.stringsdirect.co.uk/blogs/blog/how-to-setup-your-guitar-for-slide:

"Light gauge strings will not withstand the pressure of the slide in the same way. And this causes the string to move down towards the fretboard. Depending on the gauge of your strings, the weight of the slide you are using, and your ability to release pressure with your sliding hand, this could very likely result in your slide rattling against your frets."

 

[duzie]

Fwiw, from https://www.stringsdirect.co.uk/blogs/blog/how-to-setup-your-guitar-for-slide:

"Light gauge strings will not withstand the pressure of the slide in the same way. And this causes the string to move down towards the fretboard. Depending on the gauge of your strings, the weight of the slide you are using, and your ability to release pressure with your sliding hand, this could very likely result in your slide rattling against your frets."

What gauge have you settled on?

 

[Aelred]

What gauge have you settled on?

I am considering my options for setting up a Squier Thinline Tele with a baseball bat neck that hurts me if I play it too long. I've become used to more comfortable necks, so figured I'd set that one up for high action Open D. It came with 9's,, so if I try, say, 11's I might have to get the Nut adjusted. 11's I might get away with, I doubt I could go 13's.

So I'm looking at things like Thomastic Blues Sliders or EB Heavy Bottom.

That's how/why I found the website. I am not even a beginner let alone experienced with slide guitar.

 

[duzie]

I am considering my options for setting up a Squier Thinline Tele with a baseball bat neck that hurts me if I play it too long. I've become used to more comfortable necks, so figured I'd set that one up for high action Open D. It came with 9's,, so if I try, say, 11's I might have to get the Nut adjusted. 11's I might get away with, I doubt I could go 13's.

So I'm looking at things like Thomastic Blues Sliders or EB Heavy Bottom.

That's how/why I found the website. I am not even a beginner let alone experienced with slide guitar.

I’m right there with you!
Thanks for the link

 

[Fishbulb]

I play slide quite a bit, I think it's probably helpful to have something with heavier strings and higher action as you're learning your way around with it - I was using 11 or 12s on my "slide-only guitar," Gibson scale length. However after a while I really didn't feel like switching guitars for one or two songs live just to play slide, and got further inspired by seeing Justin Ostrander and Tom Bukovac stress the importance of being able to play slide on a guitar with your normal setup, so I really spent a good bit of time working on being able to play on the guitar I grab for everything, which has 9-46 on a Fender scale length with what I would consider fairly low action. This of course would probably be untenable if you're tuning down much or at all.

Another thing - people often talk about the differences in slide materials, which is best for what sound, etc etc, but I think a bigger thing to consider (which might seem pretty obvious) is making sure you get a slide that is a good fit on your finger...I worked at a music store for a really long time and 90% of the slides stocked were huge. Once I tried one that actually fit properly, it was a revelation.