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Post by huckleberry on Sept 3, 2013 15:29:49 GMT
I've had a lot of interest in the Martin Simpson Signature Slide, and our custom shop bespoke slides. People are clearly intrigued, but most people want to be able to see, feel and try them before they would drop this much on a slide.
So, I've decided to take a stand at the London Acoustic Guitar Show this weekend to make that happen. I'll be exhibiting the Martin Simpson Signature Slide and one of our related bespoke slides. Hopefully I'll have a tasty guitar on the stand too, for people to demo the slide with. If you're going, please drop by my stand, I'd be delighted to meet you.
Now, I have precisely two days to organise a display... ... Eeek!...
Hope to see some of you there!
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Post by michaelwatts on Sept 3, 2013 19:29:17 GMT
I'll see you there!
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Post by huckleberry on Sept 17, 2013 9:43:38 GMT
We had a great time at the London Acoustic Guitar Show, and I particularly enjoyed hearing people play with our slides. The Martin Simpson Signature Slide was a real hit, and we also had lots of interest in our bespoke custom slides. All in all, a very successful weekend! Here's a picture of me on the stand with the master himself, who hung out with us for a while before playing a superb set on the main stage.
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12stringpicker
Strummer
You Don't Know What You've Got, Till It's Gone-Joni Mitchell.
Posts: 21
My main instrument is: Guild F412 12-string
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Post by 12stringpicker on Sept 17, 2013 10:03:57 GMT
Never heard of Wolfram Slides before now, I play slide, and am always game to try different types, cam anyone tell me where to get them?
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Post by ianlp59 on Sept 17, 2013 10:24:36 GMT
Never heard of Wolfram Slides before now, I play slide, and am always game to try different types, cam anyone tell me where to get them? Simply follow the link in Huckleberry's signature. These slides are unbelievable, simply the best I've ever used. But they are not cheap... Cheers, Ian
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12stringpicker
Strummer
You Don't Know What You've Got, Till It's Gone-Joni Mitchell.
Posts: 21
My main instrument is: Guild F412 12-string
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Post by 12stringpicker on Sept 17, 2013 17:24:30 GMT
Never heard of Wolfram Slides before now, I play slide, and am always game to try different types, cam anyone tell me where to get them? Simply follow the link in Huckleberry's signature. These slides are unbelievable, simply the best I've ever used. But they are not cheap... Cheers, Ian Not cheap?....your not kidding Ian! You could buy a decent acoustic guitar for what they are asking, what do they mix with the Tungsten Carbide-Gold? ... cannot understand the price structure, I think I will stick to my ceramic/glass/brass/stainless slides for the time being.....
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Post by Deleted on Sept 17, 2013 19:19:26 GMT
Simply follow the link in Huckleberry's signature. These slides are unbelievable, simply the best I've ever used. But they are not cheap... Cheers, Ian Not cheap?....your not kidding Ian! You could buy a decent acoustic guitar for what they are asking, what do they mix with the Tungsten Carbide-Gold? ... cannot understand the price structure, I think I will stick to my ceramic/glass/brass/stainless slides for the time being..... I've been thinking about this a lot, and yes, whilst I realise the slides are incredibly expensive in comparison with other slides, lets put things in perspective. Some players would think nothing of forking out £100-200 or more on a effect pedal that they may only use on a couple of songs. Some players fork out on having their nails done every month. Most of us fork out quite a bit of money over the year on sets of guitar strings. A slide that will last a lifetime (certainly a lot longer than that effect pedal probably) but which has as direct an effect on your tone as a players nails/ fingertips do, to me, represents comparatively good value. Thats if you play with slide a lot of course. I don't so I'm not really in the market for one, but put it this way....if someone offered you the chance to have the ultimate set of right hand nails, that would give you a tone to die for, they would last a lifetime and would not need any maintenance, but, would cost £250, I bet some of us would think that a pretty good price to pay for tone. I do speak from experience of these slides by the way, having played Ian's Wolfram/ Martin Simpson slide, and it is just simply the most wonderful sounding slide I have ever heard. Robbie
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Post by ianlp59 on Sept 17, 2013 20:48:19 GMT
Not cheap?....your not kidding Ian! You could buy a decent acoustic guitar for what they are asking, what do they mix with the Tungsten Carbide-Gold? ... cannot understand the price structure, I think I will stick to my ceramic/glass/brass/stainless slides for the time being..... I've been thinking about this a lot, and yes, whilst I realise the slides are incredibly expensive in comparison with other slides, lets put things in perspective. Some players would think nothing of forking out £100-200 or more on a effect pedal that they may only use on a couple of songs. Some players fork out on having their nails done every month. Most of us fork out quite a bit of money over the year on sets of guitar strings. A slide that will last a lifetime (certainly a lot longer than that effect pedal probably) but which has as direct an effect on your tone as a players nails/ fingertips do, to me, represents comparatively good value. Thats if you play with slide a lot of course. I don't so I'm not really in the market for one, but put it this way....if someone offered you the chance to have the ultimate set of right hand nails, that would give you a tone to die for, they would last a lifetime and would not need any maintenance, but, would cost £250, I bet some of us would think that a pretty good price to pay for tone. I do speak from experience of these slides by the way, having played Ian's Wolfram/ Martin Simpson slide, and it is just simply the most wonderful sounding slide I have ever heard. Robbie Robbie makes a very good point and it's all about the perception of the player and what kind of sound you wish to achieve and aspire to. Frankly, an acoustic guitar that costs the same as one of these slides is probably not going to be on my immediate wish list. However, if you're lucky enough to own a seriously decent acoustic guitar, then one of these really sublime slides effectively buys you a new instrument. I paid for mine, totally endorse them and think that Huckleberry has done the slide guitar community an invaluable service. He also happens to be a very nice person... Cheers, Ian
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leoroberts
C.O.G.
Posts: 24,587
My main instrument is: probably needing new strings
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Post by leoroberts on Sept 17, 2013 21:42:17 GMT
if someone offered you the chance to have the ultimate set of right hand nails, that would give you a tone to die for, they would last a lifetime and would not need any maintenance, but, would cost £250, I bet some of us would think that a pretty good price to pay for tone. I'd pay double that for a set of nails that lasted a lifetime and didn't break at the most inconvenient times!
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Post by andyhowell on Sept 18, 2013 7:38:33 GMT
Basically Leo, I'd just give up on my fingers as this slide would be better off own, given my technique.
That's the point I guess. For me technique is very much about tone and having spent two days in the company of one of these slides I can confirm they sound wonderful but then the layer had e technique to match.
I'm ot really a slide player, I have too much to practice on without considering that. If I was a serious slide player then I would be buying one - mind you I don't think I would admit (at home) ow much it cost.
I guess if ou play slide one of these things would see you playing it more often - inspiration and quality, the point of it all at the end of the day.
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davewhite
Luthier / Guitar Maker
Luthier
Aemulor et ambitiosior
Posts: 3,544
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Post by davewhite on Sept 18, 2013 10:21:40 GMT
Unfortunately the ultimate sound comes from the digital controls not the appendage on my "digit" and the guy on YouTube playing with a cheap guitar and a spoon will always humble my efforts. Not that I would ever discourage people from spending lots of money on acoustic guitars and related equipment mind you
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Post by andyhowell on Sept 18, 2013 16:43:33 GMT
... But they have to spend it in the right way Dave? Surely?
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Post by huckleberry on Sept 26, 2013 9:47:18 GMT
Hi again all! I'm disappointed that the online discussions about my slides always focus on the cost - sometimes brutally - and not the tone, feel and quality of the slides, not to mention the fact they will last forever. All I can say about the price is that yes, they really do cost this much to make. In fact, they should cost a lot more - people who know or work with tungsten carbide are shocked that I can make and sell them this cheaply. It took me a huge amount of time to work out how to do it. Compare the Martin Simpson Signature Slide to a cheap tungsten carbide wedding ring for about £40, or a good one for £200+ and consider the difference in size - this affects both the amount of carbide I need to use (no, tungsten carbide is not as expensive as gold, but the raw material alone costs me hundreds of pounds per kilo) and the time it takes to grind and polish the larger area, inside and out, all by hand in the UK. Measured against any other tungsten carbide component available, these slides are excellent value. But I'd much rather people considered the tone, feel and quality. I appreciate that this is really difficult without trying one for yourself, but I will be exhibiting at more shows etc. wherever I can. Unfortunately I can only sell direct - getting them into retailers is just not practical (a rough calculation shows that the retail price would need to be over £500). There will also be reviews appearing shortly in fRoots, Guitarist, Acoustic and others - hopefully these will share a balanced view of how the slide performs and, I daresay, comment on the cost too. I will say that they are selling slowly but steadily, and at the moment every one of my customers is delighted with their slide. I'm really happy to answer any other questions about the slides - either here on the forum or email me through the Wolfram Slides website.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 26, 2013 16:17:18 GMT
I'm disappointed that the online discussions about my slides always focus on the cost - sometimes brutally - and not the tone, feel and quality of the slides, not to mention the fact they will last forever. Its not just online David-I couldn't help but notice the rather pointed headline in the magazine this month about your slides. I really wish you every success with these David, and like I've said before, in the hands of players with better slide skills than me these slides definitely sound better than any other, Robbie
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12stringpicker
Strummer
You Don't Know What You've Got, Till It's Gone-Joni Mitchell.
Posts: 21
My main instrument is: Guild F412 12-string
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Post by 12stringpicker on Sept 26, 2013 18:56:45 GMT
Hi again all! I'm disappointed that the online discussions about my slides always focus on the cost - sometimes brutally - and not the tone, feel and quality of the slides, not to mention the fact they will last forever. All I can say about the price is that yes, they really do cost this much to make. In fact, they should cost a lot more - people who know or work with tungsten carbide are shocked that I can make and sell them this cheaply. It took me a huge amount of time to work out how to do it. Compare the Martin Simpson Signature Slide to a cheap tungsten carbide wedding ring for about £40, or a good one for £200+ and consider the difference in size - this affects both the amount of carbide I need to use (no, tungsten carbide is not as expensive as gold, but the raw material alone costs me hundreds of pounds per kilo) and the time it takes to grind and polish the larger area, inside and out, all by hand in the UK. Measured against any other tungsten carbide component available, these slides are excellent value. But I'd much rather people considered the tone, feel and quality. I appreciate that this is really difficult without trying one for yourself, but I will be exhibiting at more shows etc. wherever I can. Unfortunately I can only sell direct - getting them into retailers is just not practical (a rough calculation shows that the retail price would need to be over £500). There will also be reviews appearing shortly in fRoots, Guitarist, Acoustic and others - hopefully these will share a balanced view of how the slide performs and, I daresay, comment on the cost too. I will say that they are selling slowly but steadily, and at the moment every one of my customers is delighted with their slide. I'm really happy to answer any other questions about the slides - either here on the forum or email me through the Wolfram Slides website.
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