A slide rests on top of the string instead of pressing it down. If the string feels loose, the slide pushes it against the frets and you hear clanks and buzz. Heavier strings and a little more action reduce that.
How to choose:
- Slide only, in open tunings: .011–.050 or .012–.052. Open tunings lower some strings, so the extra gauge keeps them from feeling loose.
- Mixing slide and regular playing: .010–.046 or .010–.052, with a light touch on the slide.
- Warmer tone: pure nickel.
- Resonator guitar: use a set designed for it. The heavier .017 and .018 plain strings help drive the cone.
S.I.T. options:
- S1150 Medium Light and S1252 Medium in Power Wound Nickel
- PN1150 and PN1252 in Power Groove Pure Nickel
- DBR1756N Nickel and DBR1756S Stainless in our Resonator collection
For lap steel, see our non-pedal lap steel sets, which are gauged for those tunings.