My Favorite Open Tuning is G

[jonesy]

When I started looking for slide tunings early on, I found that many songs by the Stones and a lot of Zep stuff, George Thoroughgood etc. was in G

654321
DGDGBD it's like double drop D and the 5th string A drops down to G
I know there are a lot of other tunings, but I will give you a couple reasons why I like this one...

1. It is a "Slack" tuning, meaning your strings are tuned lower, less tension.
Many other tunings require strings to be tighter than standard tuning, more pressure on neck. Plus tuning down just sounds cooler I think.

2.This is tuned very much like a banjo tuning, very easy to work with and pick out melodys. And when used without slide sounds very folk-ish at times. But add distortion and slide and this is the "Bad to the Bone" tuning

3.Honky tonk woman, gimme shelter, start me up etc. are all in G tuning "Keefs" favorite and I wanted to learn these songs.

4. I also find this an interesting key for finger picking or just strumming. You
can find some really nice little chord shapes and sounds you wont get in standard tuning.

I never cared for thin glass music store slides, so I used heavy brass ones for a long time and a craftsman socket that I had my Dad cut down to fit my pinky. Normally I roll off my tone control if I am playing slide on electric guitar to out the harsh highs.
I have recently found some handmade double cut glass slides I really like. They are hand made from old wine bottles. Killer feel and sustain. I have one that fits my ring finger and another smaller one that I can use on my pinky.
It is important to play right over the fret and apply even pressure to the strings you are picking out so the ring true. You can use your other fingers to mute the string behind the Slide.
Start slow and work smoothly until you can be accurate, use your ear to make sure you are sliding in Tune.

[JasonC]

Cool info Jonesy!

Speaking of interesting slack key guitar done with strumming/picking... have you heard Jim West's (Weird Al's guitarist) stuff? It's like a whole new world to me. Check out his page on MySpace: MySpace.com - Jim Kimo West - Los Angeles, Maui, California - Hawaiian / Acoustic / Other - www.myspace.com/jimkimowest

[Splattle101]

And don't forget Brown Sugar!

[jonesy]

Originally Posted by Splattle101

And don't forget Brown Sugar!

One of My Favs Bro!!!

[tigerfan22001]

I like open g on my acoustic slide stuff, but I can't help but be partial to open e. Loves me some Duane.

[overdriver]

I use open G also Dave

[gibiphone]

+1 for the Delta bottle sound!!