How Bottleneck Slides Were Made - The Burning String Method

This is the old fashioned, down and dirty way of making a guitar slide from a glass bottle. Sometimes the slide doesn't snap right off in the water and you have to apply a little pressure on it. Needless to say, take caution around burning kerosine. I've seen this done with rubbing alcohol also but it never worked as good for me. This is kind of a history lesson combined with a how-to/tutorial

Get my album Edward Phillips Plays the Country Blues:

Throw a tip in the Paypal bucket:

[TheRealChrisLopez]

That background music wasn't edited in, it just follows this guy wherever he goes.

[rdive]

He looks like if jack white was in skynyrd

[DovidM]

Take a copper wire, strip off the insulation, twist the wire around the neck, leave a piece that stands out at a 90 degree angle, and heat the piece of wire that sticks out using a blow torch. The heat will be conducted through the wire to the glass. The results are more controllable than with a string.

[Superman]

its a known fact that every time a man is using kerosine for anything he always smells his fingers first

[avibank]

Be really careful with this. I sliced my thumb tendon when the bottle broke. Glass is unforgiving. The slide I made is still the best after 20 years though lol.

[kevinwood]

Jack white and Justin Johnsons son is a handy fella

[Lilslicky]

this dude look like eric andre with additional girth

[oferdinando]

My advice: don’t drink the bottle just before making the bottleneck

[datruth]

I purchased a bottle of coraceden aspirin back in the 70's. Still got it, still use it ! The headache was horrible but the sound of the bottle afterwards became history. 😎

[navywoman]

You did a great job after having that whole bottle of spirits...without injuries.👍🏻😊Please show us more of these interesting ancient Blues hacks!

[Sasasala]

Why is country Eric Andre teaching me things!

[blues]

Think ah'll sit out in the porch an' write a song abat ma dawg.

[IIVVBlues]

I have never had as good a result with the string method. I end up with jagged or uneven edges.
I use the boiling water/ ice water method. You score the neck where you want it to break, then submerge it upside down in boiling water up to the scored mark for about a minute. Then submerge the heated neck in ice water and it snaps right off, slick, even and smooth. The only clean up you need is some emery cloth to the sharp edge.

[frankk.]

I legitimately always wondered how the folks would do this back in the day, thanks for showing this, awesome! Subbed!

[MrBalaki]

Your voice gives me a wholsome feeling inside. The most relaxing southern drawl. Much love and thanks for showing me this. Peace be with you brother. Keep on truckin

[nicholasrourke]

We had a kerosene heater when I was a kid and yeah stinky

[tormado]

Years ago I was without a guitar slide. In my student living complex, drunk, I attempted to do this by soaking a rope in lighter fluid and wrapping that around the neck of the bottle hoping it would make the neck brittle enough for a cleanish break. I set the fire alarm off in the process and all residents had to evacuate the premises. Buy a glass cutter or a slide ;)

[TheGuitarMan]

This is something I never knew I wanted to know. Thanks

[Sasasala]

Will never forget the first time I got a slider, It was a beautiful stained blue glass, as soon as I got home I placed it on a table just to watch it...you imagine it...slide...

[Phil]

Dude. This blew me away! Imagine what I’ll learn tomorrow!