Recommendations for “higher action” on slide guitar

MikeWoodward

Hi 

Starting out learning slide guitar and have a Epiphone SG Pro that I want to use for this. A lot of advice out there about increasing the action height for a dedicated slide guitar, but is their anyone can advise exactly how much to raise the action in numerical terms, or is it simply personal taste? I realise if you set it too high then it would make it difficult combining fretting notes/chords with the slide playing, but wondered if there is a height someone might advise to at least give me a starting point to work from? Thanks!

Winny_Pooh

Trial and error, maybe 1mm more all across, however I would definitely also use 11s so that the strings are stiffer. 

Caffeine_Vampire

Dunlop slide capo.

RickLucas

Just wind it up until you don't have any issues with the slide hitting the frets. There may be need for a compromise if you want to fret or bar normally. Bigger strings are a must for more tension unless you have a really delicate touch, so the truss rod will likely need a tweak too. The tuning will also have an effect, especially if you go up rather than down in pitch. Also consider a shim under the nut.

more

When you use a slide , your not fretting the strings . The slide becomes a moveable fret . It is possable  to use light strings , with a lightweight glass slide and not ajust the action . Personally I have a preference  for heavy strings with a heavy Crome slide . The setup is normal for the guage of strings I use . There is no need to be pushing the slid down . 

Danny1969

Yeah I agree with @more ;
I used to think a higher action was essential for slide but after watching Tom Bukovac, who uses a mega low action I don't anymore. 
I'm learning slide on my normal guitars and no probs for me either yet

Roland

The answer is probably “as much as you need”. When I play slide, which isn’t very often, I use whichever guitar I’m playing at the time. 

If I were you I’d spend a few days practicing, and if you think you will be able to get away without hitting the frets then leave the action where it is. This has a big advantage because you don’t need separate guitars. You can pick up the slide part way through the song. I’ve also seen people playing a combination of slide and fretted notes.

KDS

I don’t play slide with higher action on my tele, try using newtone electric strings. 

koneguitarist

I think when learning slide, a high action is a great start point. Especially if you have a spare guitar. I raised action just a touch by knocking Nut loose and putting a slice or two of paper or thin card underneath. Easy to try and put back to normal.