Q: Do you guys blow your own glass?
A: No, our slides are made from 100% recycled glass, wine or liquor bottles. ...That is why they are Authentic bottleneck slides! If you are looking for a slide made from new glass, containing metal, or out of the ordinary shapes and sizes, you are probably looking at the wrong place. Our specialty is providing you with the finest TRUE bottleneck slides available. We spend more time and attention per slide than anyone else ...anywhere!
Q: What does the number on the inside represent?
A: The number opposite the signature is a serial number. Each slide we create is numbered in the order in which it was made rendering it a truly one of a kind article. So much time and attention is put into our slides that they have been described to be just as much a piece of art as they are a guitar slide. In fact, our slides are the only guitar slides in the world that are worthy of a serial number.
Q: How long does it take to make each slide?
A: The current process employed in producing our Standard Series slides consists of around 38 steps (if everything goes right)! Each step is done by hand. We spend a great deal of time on each slide to ensure that we live up to our reputation and provide you with the finest bottleneck slide available anywhere - and we take great pride in doing so. It is truly a labor of love for us.
Q: Did you come up with this idea? And if so, how?
A: Actually, we have taken a fresh approach to the tradition of crafting a guitar slide from the neck of a bottle - a practice that was born right here in the American South. The neck of a bottle was first popularized as a slide material in the Mississippi Delta during The Great Depression. It is safe to assume that the widespread popularity of bottlenecks among these blues singers can largely be attributed to their convenience and availability around the country juke joints they performed at and frequented. The common usage of the term 'bottleneck' in modern guitar lingo, to refer to any type of slide playing is evidence of the immediate popularity of these early slides. Fortunately, the glass types used in the bottling industry still produce the best sounding slides available!
Mr. B's was started when founder Brenton Sadreameli, a devoted fan of the blues, history and a guitar player, discovered slide guitar and began experimenting with making some bottlenecks. They sounded so good that he tried to sell a few in a local music store. The response Brenton received was so positive that he began expanding his operation and before long had dealers in several states.
To read more about why you should use a bottleneck for a slide go here!
Q: How do I know what size I need?
A: We have recently employed a ring sizing system to inventory, store and sell our slides. When purchasing a slide from us, you will see a pull-down menu containing the ring size beside it's equivalent in mm as well as inches. If you do not know your size and are unable to measure your finger at the largest knuckle, go to a jeweler (if one is available) and have the finger you wear a slide on sized.
If you need further assistance selecting a size or measuring your finger, do not hesitate to call or email us!
Q: Which end of the slide is supposed to be facing up?
A: Although we recommend the large end to be facing up to more easily reach the top (5th and 6th) strings, this is mostly a preferential decision. In our experience wearing the large end up makes playing much more enjoyable and easy. However, we have met many very satisfied customers who rave about our slides before putting on upside down (to us) and create some pretty impressive sounds. Many such players have also told us they actually prefer the slide to be facing this way. So in the end, it is your decision! Whatever works for you, the player.
NOTE:
The small end, bearing the signature and serial number is the end which is sized.
Q: Where do you guys get the bottles from?
A: Our bottles come from a complex network of willing restaurants, bars and winos in Columbia, SC. Unlike other Slide Companies who claim to use only a handful of bottles in producing their slides, Mr. B's uses hundreds of bottle types and glass colors to provide you with the largest variety of slides anywhere in the world. That being said, we make every effort to further diversify our selection so if you are interested in saving bottles for us and are in South Carolina, please contact us!