Amp or not?

[dapmdave]

This is for our acoustic/electric folks...

When you play your guitar at home - practicing or just noodling - do you play through an amp?

For myself, I never use an amp with my acoustics unless I need to get loud. Even though I like the sound
of the guitars amplified, they always sound better (to me) unplugged.

Dave

 

[twocorgis]

No amp for me Dave, unless it's needed. Like you, I much prefer acoustic guitars unplugged.

 

[AcornHouse]

Acoustics: amped only as needed.
Electrics: Crank up the power chords! :mrgreen:

 

[kdavid]

i guess it depends. usually i just pull old mckaila out of the case & strum away.
sometimes i just want to plug in because i like the sound of that too.
so, like my underwear--depends...(sorry)

 

[tjmangum]

Dave, like you, I have a California Blond, but seldom plug it in when I play at home. I've been having fun with different amps with hollow bodies and electrics, but playing an acoustic through an amp is a seldom thing.
T

 

[Scratch]

I love acoustic guitars because they sound acoustic... :wink: The ole Marshall rarely gets plugged in any more...

 

[dapmdave]

Dave, like you, I have a California Blond, but seldom plug it in when I play at home. I've been having fun with different amps with hollow bodies and electrics, but playing an acoustic through an amp is a seldom thing.
T

Ah, but the California Blonde has left the building! Sound was fantastic but just too heavy at 56 lbs. Replaced it with a Genz Benz Shen 150LT.

Only 26 lbs! Honestly, the Genz Benz does not sound quite as good as the SWR. But it's good enough.

Dave

 

[Walter Broes]

Unless you're deaf, or effects/electronic manipulation are a big part of what you do, I don't see the use of plugging in an acoustic at home. Acoustic amplification is getting better all the time, but still a necessary evil IMO, so if not needed, best avoided.

 

[evenkeel]

No amp at home for me.

 

[killdeer43]

No amp for me, anyplace I've roamed in 43 years of playing.
Although, when I'm camping, I enjoy finding a currant bush. :roll:

Acoustic Joe

 

[fronobulax]

I do it bassackwards. I decide whether I can deal with an amp (at home) or not and then choose the instrument accordingly. I only use an amp with the (acoustic) B-50 at home if I am trying to dial in controls in anticipation of using the B-50 and the amp elsewhere. But since my go to instrument seems to be the Pilot at the moment, an amp is a must. But in the spirit of the original question, my whole reason for having the B-50 is to be able to play without an amp under certain conditions so using an amp on the acoustic bass defeats the purpose.

 

[dapmdave]

Unless you're deaf, or effects/electronic manipulation are a big part of what you do, I don't see the use of plugging in an acoustic at home. Acoustic amplification is getting better all the time, but still a necessary evil IMO, so if not needed, best avoided.

That's my take on it, as well. But I have run across folks who do plug in at home, and was wondering if (once again) I was behind the curve.

Dave

 

[Memphis]

Well...I guess I'll be the odd man out! I agree with what everyone has said above about playing an acoustic....well acoustically. It does sound better, and even feel better to me. However, at least as a beginner, plugging my D50 up to an amp has become a very important part of my practice. When you are plugged in, everything is obviously amplified. Which means mistakes and flubs in technique are also magnified, making them easier to spot/hear, and thus easier to fix before they become habbit. For example: I was working on a song which I thought was sounding pretty good, but then I plugged it in and noticed that the 6th sting was ringing out slightly when it shouldn't have. I never noticed it acoustically, but It was VERY obvious when it was amplified. Little things like that I've noticed that eventually add up to a lot of things, for me at least. Again, this might also have a lot to do with being a begginer still working on basic technique. That's just been my experience so far.

 

[griehund]

I play my D40 at home unplugged most all the time unless I'm practicing something I'm going to play out with an amp. Then I want to know what it's actually going to sound like. I plug the Gretsch in when I'm working on songs and I'm trying to get the effects to my liking. I play it unplugged when I'm working on scales and solos and such. I use a mic in my acoustic amp when I practice singing, which is not very often cause it annoys the animals and all. :lol: :lol:

 

[dapmdave]

I play my D40 at home unplugged most all the time unless I'm practicing something I'm going to play out with an amp. Then I want to know what it's actually going to sound like. I plug the Gretsch in when I'm working on songs and I'm trying to get the effects to my liking. I play it unplugged when I'm working on scales and solos and such. I use a mic in my acoustic amp when I practice singing, which is not very often cause it annoys the animals and all. :lol: :lol:

Maybe you need these?

Dave

 

[davismanLV]

Well...I guess I'll be the odd man out! I agree with what everyone has said above about playing an acoustic....well acoustically. It does sound better, and even feel better to me. However, at least as a beginner, plugging my D50 up to an amp has become a very important part of my practice. When you are plugged in, everything is obviously amplified. Which means mistakes and flubs in technique are also magnified, making them easier to spot/hear, and thus easier to fix before they become habbit. For example: I was working on a song which I thought was sounding pretty good, but then I plugged it in and noticed that the 6th sting was ringing out slightly when it shouldn't have. I never noticed it acoustically, but It was VERY obvious when it was amplified. Little things like that I've noticed that eventually add up to a lot of things, for me at least. Again, this might also have a lot to do with being a begginer still working on basic technique. That's just been my experience so far.

I have to agree with this seeing as I'm an eternal beginner. However, I'm not really interested in hearing my mistakes amplified so I rarely do it. I was putting Christmas decorations away out in the garage and realized my little Crate practice amp was back in there. Obviously, it hasn't been used since I moved to Las Vegas and that's been 8 years next month!! So, I'd say my frequency of plugging in is rare. Although, now it's in my mind I think I'm gonna drag it out and do it just for fun...... :wink:

 

[griehund]

I play my D40 at home unplugged most all the time unless I'm practicing something I'm going to play out with an amp. Then I want to know what it's actually going to sound like. I plug the Gretsch in when I'm working on songs and I'm trying to get the effects to my liking. I play it unplugged when I'm working on scales and solos and such. I use a mic in my acoustic amp when I practice singing, which is not very often cause it annoys the animals and all. :lol: :lol:

Maybe you need these?

Dave

What a great idea. I'll take seven pair. One size extra large for the Beagle :lol:

 

[markus]

When I read your question I remembered this thread and what Carl said there.
What he says works for me. I think I play about half of the time plugged at home. Sometimes I also play unplugged close to an think solid wall in front of me to get more of the acoustic sound from the reflections.
Markus

 

[walrus]

Acoustic guitar always unplugged at home. Even my electric guitar I will play unplugged at home if I want to be less "bothersome" to those who also live in the house, but the electric is (of course) much more fun plugged in!

walrus

 

[fronobulax]

[quote="walrus"less "bothersome"[/quote]

Headphones. 8)

A couple of folks have mentioned using an amp as a practice aid because they hear things that can be corrected with better technique when using an amp. Same thing for an amp with good headphones.