Review from Vintage Guitar Magazine

Alluring Accessories
The RockSlide Guitar Slide
By Lisa Sharken

The RockSlide Guitar Slide is the creation of Mark Morse, a guitarist who wanted more from a guitar slide. Morse found most conventional slides uncomfortable because they’d pinch the fleshy part of his finger when he’d bend his hand into playing position. That frustration led to experimentation with the shape of the slide and research on commonly used materials.

What makes the RockSlide different is the way it’s shaped. The angled opening on one side of the slide is cut away to reduce pinching of your hand and finger. The inside of the slide is shaped to provide a better fit, so it will stay in place more snugly. The top (where the finger sticks out) is thicker and heavier. In addition, the flat surface on the opposite exterior end provides a comfortable rest between the slide finger and its neighbor.

Depending on the dimensions of your fingers, the pinky and ring slides may fit on the top part of your finger, or all the way down to the base of your hand. It can be used either way, and the snug fit will provide better control. Two sizes are currently available – one for ring and pinky fingers, and another for middle fingers. The RockSlide is available in solid brass and chrome-plated.

For a test run, we raised the action on our trusty Les Paul just a bit (it was fairly low), and checked out both models. Since my hands are small, the slides fit over my fingers (as typical slides are intended to fit). The angled and beveled edges certainly did provide better comfort, and helped hold the slide in position, so it was easier to control. The ring/pinky slide fit on my ring finger up to the knuckle, so I was able to use it more like a ring slide. It also stayed in place comfortably. Part of the reason I’m not a better slide player is I was never able to find any slides that fit comfortably. Fortunately, with the growing selection of accessories available today, I’ve found a few, like the RockSlide, that are encouraging me to improve.

The RockSlide is becoming easier to locate in music shops. If your favorite dealer doesn’t have it, have them check out the company’s website.

 


We are proud to have these fine players as our customers!

William Gibbons • ZZ Top
Tim Langford • Too Slim and the Tail Draggers
Billy Cassis • SRV-DoubleTrouble
David Jacobs Strain • Resonator Clinician
Pete Anderson • Producer / Guitarist for Dwight Yoakam
In 30 years of playing slide guitar, it's hard to imagine that just a slight change could make such a difference. Completely revolutionary... A must have!
John Jorgenson • Hellecasters
Will Ray • Hellecasters
Jerry Donahue • Hellecasters
Carl Tosten • Gibson Clinician
Hi Mark, I have been trying the slide, it's awesome. I could never quite get other slides to work well. This one feels very natural, like a part of the hand. Thanks!
Bryan Bassett • Foghat
I'm the lead/slide guitarist for FOGHAT and I have a little story to tell you. I returned from Philly where we are rehearsing for our upcoming tour. While setting up my rig I spy this gold glint on a nearby table. I ask Craig our bassist, "who's slide is that?" ... and he tells me the guitarist in his teenage son's band just picked it up at a local store. Now I have used a glass slide for 20 years. I love the sound of brass but the brass slides I have tried have been heavy, unwieldy things that wobbled around on my finger and nicked up my frets ... well you know. I picked up your slide, put it on and all I can say is ... WOW ... you know that rare feeling you get when you pick up the PERFECT guitar ... well In 10 seconds the giant box of glass slides I own have become knick-knacks .... and the TONE .... man I have another low octave of sweet harmonics now that just blew me away. My band mates looked at me and said what is that ... it sounds awesome. When a drummer notices your tone you've got something going on. I went to the local store to buy them out and they only had a couple so I'll be calling in for more. All this is to say I haven't been this excited about a piece of gear in years and I would honored to be added to your artist users page if you have the room. Thanks for making someone who plays slide for 60% of every concert a very happy man. I can't wait to hit the road with your slide. Sent: Sunday, April 24, 2005
Mark Mothersbaugh • Devo, Rugrats
Myles Kennedy • Alter Bridge - The Mayfield Four
I just wanted to thank you again for this amazing slide. Its incredible that such a simple modification to the slide could make it so much more comfortable and easy to use. Not only does it relieve that nagging pressure that the other "Jurassic" slides impose on your digits after a set or two, but it sounds better. Damn!! The ROCK SLIDE makes me play like Ry Cooder(OK, maybe that's a bit of an exaggeration) Thanx
Lauren Ellis • "Slide Chik" - L.A. recording artist
Randy Bachman • RockSlide Customer
Jimmy Vaughn • RockSlide Customer
Michael James • Session player, producer for Hole, L7, Reverend Horton Heat
Anybody into the new Rock Slide, ring-finger size, as much as I am? I just got one for use on the pinky finger, and prefer it's larger size because the added length covers all six strings and the larger diameter has a fatter tone. By the way, I found that when my older brass pinky slides tarnish, they don't look as shiny, but they sound better--I think the oxidation yields miniscule irregularities on the surface that add some vibe to the tone. As they age, I find that the tonal differences between the chrome and brass slides increase, so I'm glad I have both.
John Nelson • Eddie Money
Dwight M Fregia • RockSlide Customer
I'm writing because I'm so impressed by the design of the Rock Slide, I've been singing it's praises at the store I work at. I think this is a genius product.
Ray A. • RockSlide Customer
Wow! I just received a brass and a steel pinky slide this afternoon in the mail. I've been playing them all evening. These are the best metal slides I've ever played. They play faster and cleaner due to their ergonomic shape. Players who do not normally play slide will gravitate to them because of the ease of use. I will spread the word to all my favorite guitar stores to carry your product. I know they will sell. How somebody never figured this shape out before is beyond me. My only recommendations are that you develop a glass slide and a 3/4 and 1/2 length slide. I promise I will buy them.
John Ferrin • RockSlide Customer
I had to write and tell you how delighted I was with my new RockSlide. The feeling might have been akin to buying a golf ball that knocked six strokes off my game. I started playing slide some thirty years ago. Through all the methods and slide types from glass bottle to spark plug socket. I never experienced remarkable improvements that came without effort. Your fabulous new RockSlide instantly improved my speed, accuracy and control. Congratulations and thank-you! I will use the RockSlide exclusively
Ron Stokes • RockSlide Customer
Plain brass gets that old time slide vibe going, but the chrome gets those wails and moans without even trying!
Elliot Merkle • RockSlide Customer
What a great design! You have a wonderful product. I wonder why no one thought of this before? I purchased a medium chrome slide to play on my bottleneck Dobro and I cannot believe how much cleaner I can play.
B.Allen • RockSlide Customer
Absolutely the best!.......It sounds great with my 1927 type 1 Triplate. Much easier to control using your slide....Thank You.B.Allen
Nik Simon • RockSlide Customer
Got the slide today. Unbelievable quick service. It only took 10 minutes to get hooked. Great design, great tone. Thanks a million!
Ken Ceurvorst • RockSlide Customer
"Not just a piece of pipe" Wow, what an under statement. I've got a drawer full of slides from trying to find one that works and fits too. The "Rock Slide" fits perfect and the added feature of the anti rolling flat is a welcome feature. Great job. Everybody should own one that has ever had trouble finding that perfect fit.
Bob Boitt • RockSlide Customer
Mark, The rockslide is the best fitting most comfortable and killer sounding slide ever. A year and a half ago I had a stroke and it made my left hand so weak I couldnt fret the guitar anymore. (even with the lightest strings) I never give up so I tried learning slide-bottleneck guitar. I was about to think I would never be good again. None of the other slides fit right or sounded good to me. I purchased your small and medium Brass slides and my problems were over. I have more control and great tone and sustain. Im back playing blues and rockin ala "Duane". Thanks for a great product! Simply the Best!