Started practicing through an amp.

[cjd-player]

I've got a good acoustic amp, but it typically stays tucked in my closet, except for the infrequent times when I actually need to play through an acoustic amp. The other day, just for kicks, I got it out and set it up in my practice area. I've been playing through it every time I play my acoustics now.

It's not that I like the sound of the guitar through the amp better than the natural acoustic sound, I don't, but I've found that it sure helps my playing. When playing acoustically, I can sort of gloss over my mistakes and ignore them. But when playing through the amp, boy do they stick out.

I guess it's kind of psychological ... I don't know ... but when playing through the amp, I can sort of distance myself from the guitar and listen to the music coming out of the amp as if it were a radio or CD player. I think that's why the mistakes sound so obvious. I expect perfection, and it certainly isn't there. :lol:

After just a few days of practicing through the amp, it has really caused me to clean up my playing. I'm going to stick with it that way.

Just thought I'd share, for what it's worth.

 

[twocorgis]

I've got a good acoustic amp, but it typically stays tucked in my closet, except for the infrequent times when I actually need to play through an acoustic amp. The other day, just for kicks, I got it out and set it up in my practice area. I've been playing through it every time I play my acoustics now.

It's not that I like the sound of the guitar through the amp better than the natural acoustic sound, I don't, but I've found that it sure helps my playing. When playing acoustically, I can sort of gloss over my mistakes and ignore them. But when playing through the amp, boy do they stick out.

I guess it's kind of psychological ... I don't know ... but when playing through the amp, I can sort of distance myself from the guitar and listen to the music coming out of the amp as if it were a radio or CD player. I think that's why the mistakes sound so obvious. I expect perfection, and it certainly isn't there. :lol:

After just a few days of practicing through the amp, it has really caused me to clean up my playing. I'm going to stick with it that way.

Just thought I'd share, for what it's worth.

Hey, whatever works. I don't use the Genz Benz that I bought very much (though the B4E sounds great through it), though I like the way the two DTAR setups sound better than the Fishman equipped Gibson through the amp. I might just need to tweak some things with the Fishman. The DTAR sounds really good without doing anything it seems.

I guess I need to start playing plugged in too. Thanks Carl!

 

[JerryR]

When playing acoustically, I can sort of gloss over my mistakes and ignore them. But when playing through the amp, boy do they stick out.

Carl - you make mistakes :shock: :shock: :shock:

No hope for me then

 

[markus]

No need for a magnifying glass to find mistakes here …
Markus

 

[fronobulax]

Playing through an amp definitely causes you to notice things about your playing that you might otherwise ignore. Since "practice" can get boring for basic "mechanical" type things, switching instruments or moving to and from an amp can make enough of a difference that the practice is not boring for a while.

 

[merhere]

As you know, I have added a pickup and amp recently. It will take some getting used to. One of the reasons I added the electronics to so that I can work with a looper.

 

[Jeff]

...... One of the reasons I added the electronics to so that I can work with a looper.

I started using my Jamman again recently & it's been a boost.

Running the sound into my mixer & monitor thru headphones saves the better half some grief,

 

[wildbill]

I picked up an acoustic amp a few months ago and have been using it almost every time I sit down to practice. Really nice hearing my mistakes better :lol:

 

[adorshki]

When playing acoustically, I can sort of gloss over my mistakes and ignore them. But when playing through the amp, boy do they stick out.
After just a few days of practicing through the amp, it has really caused me to clean up my playing. I'm going to stick with it that way.
Just thought I'd share, for what it's worth.

I had a buddy tell me that exact same thing many years ago. Simply put, an amp really DOES magnify the mistakes, particularly when it comes to clean fretting. Be careful with headphones though. Known to be bad for the ears even at low volumes.

 

[Jeff]

..... Be careful with headphones though. Known to be bad for the ears even at low volumes.

Thanks for the tip. Reading up on the issue a bit one discovers it's a significant issue.

 

[Telenator]

I think there is also a process of "learning to play through an amp."

The whole dynamic approach changes and requires that I do things differently when amplified. I agree it's a very good idea to practice through an amp on occasion. I don't and I really struggled when I played at Ski Sundown during the LMG event. You can bet I'll be better prepared the next time!

 

[6L6]

My normal gig rig is my '06 D-55 w/Fishman MAtrix pup, Fender Acoustasonic Jr DSP amp, and an assortment of BOSS pedals. I love the sounds I can get!

If you want to hear an incredible sound, plug first into a BOSS DM-2 Analog Delay. Have that feed into a BOSS CH-1 Super Chorus, and then into a Fender tube amp (I love it through my '72 Vibro Champ). TONE CITY!

6

 

[adorshki]

..... Be careful with headphones though. Known to be bad for the ears even at low volumes.

Thanks for the tip. Reading up on the issue a bit one discovers it's a significant issue.

Especially earbuds. I've worked telephone sales/service for going on twenty years total, my bosses could never understand why I refused to use the ever-present "headsets". But my ears are still good! After all, they're one of my top 3 most precious bodily appendages, if you consider the ones that come in pairs.... And I couldn't do hormone replacement therapy for my ears if anything happened to them! :lol:

 

[JerryR]

My normal gig rig is my '06 D-55 w/Fishman MAtrix pup, Fender Acoustasonic Jr DSP amp, and an assortment of BOSS pedals. I love the sounds I can get!

If you want to hear an incredible sound, plug first into a BOSS DM-2 Analog Delay. Have that feed into a BOSS CH-1 Super Chorus, and then into a Fender tube amp (I love it through my '72 Vibro Champ). TONE CITY!

6

:shock: It's a whole different language - don't think I understood a word of that except words like 'and' and 'then' :roll:

 

[crank]

Interesting topic. I play a lot more electric guitar than acoustic. Honestly, now that I've mostly got my gear dialed in I hardly ever plug in at home. When I'm practicing or learning songs I'm playing an unplugged electric sitting in front of this computer.

I plug my acoustic into the PA for gigs and I want it to sound, as close as possible, to how it sounds...only louder. I guess I don't go for any effects because I get plenty of that on my electrics.

On learning to play through an amp. Yes technique is different and in many ways less forgiving. The palm mute is more a constant staple of the electric guitarists technique than that of a finger picker, or even a flat picker for example. Another indisputable fact of playing through amplification is that any erroneous note you inadvertently hit, no matter how soft your touch, will ring out louder and longer than the next 5 notes put together. OP, as I heard another electric noob put it one time, you have been "amp-slapped".