Unplugged Vs Amp/Effects?

[Brett Fuzz]

As a bedroom rocker and hobbiest, I have never really bothered about playing through any amp, let alone effects.

I mainly just play my electrics unplugged.

Since mucking around the past few weeks with Amplitube on my iPad, I notice how much better my playing sounds and it motivates me to play more.

Any thoughts on this?

Is it essential to play electric guitar plugged in to get the best out your playing or am I just sounding good by covering a multitude of sins ?

[supersoldier71]

I think it's essential to sound good to you, however you're playing. I practice my electrics unplugged frequently, but really, to get the most out of it, I should either just practice on my acoustic (it's harder to play) or fire up the amp.

[Brett Fuzz]

Thanks for the thoughts. Finally decided its time to get a decent amp.

I have been concentrating mostly on my playing and learning that I really hadn't got round to things like tone and amps etc.

Amazing to my ears how much better my playing sounds through a few effects.

I probably would have bought an acoustic when I first started out but can't stand the high action and fat necks ! :)

[Finster]

Gotta go with the amp. I Played a lot without amplification (for my wife's sake), when I first started, and I realized I was learning to play it like an acoustic guitar. You really learn differently when it is amped. Simple stuff like scratches and mutes really come alive. Be wary off always playing with too many effects, as it is easy to cover mistakes and general sloppiness. Play clean sometimes to keep you honest.

[Brett Fuzz]

Originally Posted by Finster

Gotta go with the amp. I Played a lot without amplification (for my wife's sake), when I first started, and I realized I was learning to play it like an acoustic guitar. You really learn differently when it is amped. Simple stuff like scratches and mutes really come alive. Be wary off always playing with too many effects, as it is easy to cover mistakes and general sloppiness. Play clean sometimes to keep you honest.

Thanks for the thoughts. I thought it was a stupid Qs to post, but I really can see big differences in practicing with an amp/effects opposed to unplugged.

I'm also in a noise sensitive household so that has always been a reason I never bothered with amps.

I can also see how easy it is to sound better than you really are when you add a few effects and stuff. Maybe playing acoustically keeps you honest and actually makes you a better player when you do plug in ?

[ludashoeless]

Originally Posted by Finster

Gotta go with the amp. I Played a lot without amplification (for my wife's sake), when I first started, and I realized I was learning to play it like an acoustic guitar. You really learn differently when it is amped. Simple stuff like scratches and mutes really come alive. Be wary off always playing with too many effects, as it is easy to cover mistakes and general sloppiness. Play clean sometimes to keep you honest.

+1

[fezz parka]

Originally Posted by Brett Fuzz

Maybe playing acoustically keeps you honest and actually makes you a better player when you do plug in ?

Yep.

[Johmo]

IMHO a lot of players use too many effects which obscure the detail of what they are playing. It covers mistakes as well as masks what is going on with their fingertips even if they get the notes right. Play clean through an amp and listen hard and you will make the most improvement -- at least that is what works for me. Although, I do love a little touch of chorus now and then. ;)

[1955]

Originally Posted by Johmo

IMHO a lot of players use too many effects which obscure the detail of what they are playing. It covers mistakes as well as masks what is going on with their fingertips even if they get the notes right. Play clean through an amp and listen hard and you will make the most improvement -- at least that is what works for me. Although, I do love a little touch of chorus now and then. ;)

+1

[Lunchie]

Originally Posted by Brett Fuzz

As a bedroom rocker and hobbiest, I have never really bothered about playing through any amp, let alone effects.

I mainly just play my electrics unplugged.

Since mucking around the past few weeks with Amplitube on my iPad, I notice how much better my playing sounds and it motivates me to play more.

Any thoughts on this?

Is it essential to play electric guitar plugged in to get the best out your playing or am I just sounding good by covering a multitude of sins ?

I am kind of in the same boat. I haven't gigged since I was in High School bands (pep band, marching band, concert band)... I really have no ambition to gig at this time, maybe it will change in the future, but not now.

For the last year or so I was buying/selling/trading guitars like a mad man and finally got a good assortment of guitars that I am happy with. I went from playing about an hour a week to four or five.

Now I have started to accumulate and play around with different amps and settings (getting my Champion 600 finally from GC tomorrow ) and now I am playing about ten hours a week.

[H. Mac]

Originally Posted by Johmo

IMHO a lot of players use too many effects which obscure the detail of what they are playing. It covers mistakes as well as masks what is going on with their fingertips even if they get the notes right. Play clean through an amp and listen hard and you will make the most improvement -- at least that is what works for me. Although, I do love a little touch of chorus now and then. ;)

+2, except for the chorus part.

For me, I have to play acoustic in order to play half way decent on electric, and the other way around, too. No kiddin'. One makes my more aware of my playing on the other.

[6Shotsdown]

Playing through an amp makes a huge difference. For me, having the right tone for what I'm doing inspire me. I use amplitube on my comp with headphones so the kids can sleep and I love it.

[Thorpey]

To be honest, I found that practicing through an amp with a nice clean tone, isn't really THAT much louder than playing unplugged... As mentioned though, it will give you a better feel for the nature of the 'beast' that is the ELECTRIC guitar, that is - loud bum notes, squeaks, squeals and scratches and a whole multitude of other most deadly of sins...

... Paul Gilbert (I'm not a fan, but he is a popular guy) said that he practiced unplugged for years, then it came time for him to plug in and he was pants and had to relearn all the hard stuff!

Just my 0.02

James