Plugged vs Unplugged

[marksoundguitars]

Just to practice, always unplugged.

If I want to make the neighbors afraid to leave the safety of their homes, that's a different story.

 

[moreles]

I play unplugged often. My LP and SG both are easily loud enough to hear unplugged, and -- importantly -- by playing this way I get a really good physical feel for how they respond "mechanically" without the masking and influence of other parts of my signal chain. I find unplugged practice to be a good way to build some proficiencies that are, to me anyway, important. Of course I play through my rig all the time too, and at all volumes, because that's useful and helpful as well.

 

[ballou48]

This might seem like a weird question about an electric guitar, but I just wondered how often people play their Les Pauls unplugged vs hooked up to an amp?

I'm a fairly casual home player, lots of my playing is grabbing half an hour or just ten minutes inbetween everyday life. Also when I do get to play for longer it's often at low volume as the kids are in bed. I realised that lots of the time I don't even bother plugging my les paul in, I just enjoy the natural resonant tones from the guitar itself, which really sings compared to my Strats when they're unplugged.

Plugged in it's a different matter, I like the Les Paul but I'm not sure that humbuckers are really me, I much prefer the clarity I get from my Strats. I considered selling the LP recently but then I do love noodling around with it and the variety of sounds plugged in messing with volume/tone straight into the amp is fun.

So am I alone in enjoying the sound of a Les Paul unplugged so much?

Almost never unplugged. My living situation let’s me play at almost any volume any time I want. Lately I’ve been building and playing small Fender clone amps. A 5 watt tweed Champ has been my favorite lately, no pedals, no tone control. Just turn it up to 6, plug in a Tele and go. Everything is controlled from the guitar, turn it up on the bridge pup for grind and bite, middle or neck for sweeter sounds. Reduced volume when watching tv. These little clean amps really make you work on your technique. Electric guitars are for plugging in.

Back in the day I always played cranked up. Now I'm paying for it with Tinnitus and hearing loss. Moderation is the best path, believe me.

 

[Cjsinla]

Back in the day I always played cranked up. Now I'm paying for it with Tinnitus and hearing loss. Moderation is the best path, believe me.

Right, I hear you

 

[ballou48]

Say what?

 

[Frogfur]

I always practice unplugged.
The beauty of the Gretsch, and the Casino both are that they are great to play unplugged. I could also mention that the Hofner bass is also quite playable unplugged.

I do however like the Deluxe Reverb on about 3 with most guitar volume set for easy listening.

I wear two hearing aids so I'm bionic. When i play my LP unplugged with them on its so loud i have to turn it down!

 

[Macronaut]

Funny, when my wife and daughters wouldn't even tolerate my acoustics, I went looking for a semi hollow body to play unplugged. My wife was with me and I had no intention of buying anything at the time. My wife saw a 2014 ES-335 in Satin Cherry, said "oh that ones pretty" which was marked down because of a headstock repair (still brand new)and shocked me when she insisted on buying it for me .

Since then, I usually play through my Boss ME-80 and high quality headphones, which gives me a great studio quality sound without bothering anyone. I still play unplugged when I only have a few minutes, an idea hits me or, I'm just too lazy to turn everything on.

However, the wife has been out of town this weekend and I finally took the opportunity to play though my amp, even though I live in an apartment (with no common walls to any neighbors), I cranked it pretty good for an hour or so....no one I asked said they even heard it....

It sure was nice to feel the noise after such a long time not doing so I think I can get away with even more volume and would have zero problems since I'm on such good terms with my neighbors....so far.

I play unplugged quite a lot...I play with HPs more....but, I just recently realized how much I miss "feeling" what I am playing

 

[lespaulfreak93]

This is f'n hilarious! Sorry about your amp but damn...this is great

Thanks for the signature quote . Wish it'd say what it is, though, or at least "amp"

 

[Thumpalumpacus]

Back in the day I always played cranked up. Now I'm paying for it with Tinnitus and hearing loss. Moderation is the best path, believe me.

To Hell with moderation ... get earplugs.

 

[lespaulfreak93]

To Hell with moderation ... get earplugs.

+1!!!!!

The best thing I'd ever done for myself as a musician was to buy a pair of ear protectors for musicians. Some Alpines, you can get them for $20. Super comfortable and effective. Best decision ever and also the cheapest part of my equipment, but just as important as the Les Paul.

 

[Thumpalumpacus]

+1!!!!!

The best thing I'd ever done for myself as a musician was to buy a pair of ear protectors for musicians. Some Alpines, you can get them for $20. Super comfortable and effective. Best decision ever and also the cheapest part of my equipment, but just as important as the Les Paul.

If you're going to stretch out your amp, they are required. I have a tinge of tinnitus that I hear when I focus on it. I went to earplugs a while back and it's great, I can get my amp in the sweet spot knowing I'm not mortgaging my future as a musician.

 

[bulletproof]

If you're going to stretch out your amp, they are required. I have a tinge of tinnitus that I hear when I focus on it. I went to earplugs a while back and it's great, I can get my amp in the sweet spot knowing I'm not mortgaging my future as a musician.

+1!!!!!

The best thing I'd ever done for myself as a musician was to buy a pair of ear protectors for musicians. Some Alpines, you can get them for $20. Super comfortable and effective. Best decision ever and also the cheapest part of my equipment, but just as important as the Les Paul.

Seriously thinking about building a few of these....(why buy when one can build )

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/de...4-guitar-amp-shield-48-inch-wide-24-inch-high

Ole @Marshall & Moonshine turned me on to this idea awhile back. I’m just finally getting serious about it.

 

[lespaulfreak93]

Seriously thinking about building a few of these....(why buy when one can build )

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/de...4-guitar-amp-shield-48-inch-wide-24-inch-high

Ole @Marshall & Moonshine turned me on to this idea awhile back. I’m just finally getting serious about it.

Wow, those things are cheap in the USA! Because working on plexiglass isn't fun, and they have those cool connectors, but you know, always more satisfaction when you make your own

Fellow Tinnitus sufferer here... although it doesn't eliminate us, luckily. Let's not forget that Brian Wilson is completely deaf in one ear.

 

[bulletproof]

Wow, those things are cheap in the USA! Because working on plexiglass isn't fun, and they have those cool connectors, but you know, always more satisfaction when you make your own

Fellow Tinnitus sufferer here... although it doesn't eliminate us, luckily. Let's not forget that Brian Wilson is completely deaf in one ear.

My left ear is almost completely gone. More of a “ weapons “ thing,however,back in the day (early 80s),I played through a Kistom tuck’n’roll 200 dimed. I’m thinking that played a part as well
I can’t hardly stand ear plugs for reasons all my own. These here blockers seem to be a great idea

 

[Pesh]

Depending on what I'm doing, both are options. I'll quite often grab an electric and strum about while watching TV half-mindedly.

 

[Marshall & Moonshine]

Seriously thinking about building a few of these....(why buy when one can build )

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/de...4-guitar-amp-shield-48-inch-wide-24-inch-high

Ole @Marshall & Moonshine turned me on to this idea awhile back. I’m just finally getting serious about it.

I love the baffle. For the stage it’s worth it’s weight in gold twice over. I just buy the piece of plexi that covers the grill cloth and make a mount for it. @caljoe makes KILLER stands for like $25 out of bent aluminum diamond plate and they’re superb. They look amazing and work flawlessly.
I’d contact him, and you could have a high-functioning shield for about $35 total, for a 2x12 cab, since the piece of plexi was only like $10 at Home Depot.

 

[bulletproof]

I love the baffle. For the stage it’s worth it’s weight in gold twice over. I just buy the piece of plexi that covers the grill cloth and make a mount for it. @caljoe makes KILLER stands for like $25 out of bent aluminum diamond plate and they’re superb. They look amazing and work flawlessly.
I’d contact him, and you could have a high-functioning shield for about $35 total, for a 2x12 cab, since the piece of plexi was only like $10 at Home Depot.

Yes indeed!

 

[rogue3]

I play both ways.My rhythm dynamics unplugged however are quite a bit different,as the unplugged lespaul is very forgiving...once you plug in,at volume,all sloppiness can be revealed, because every little squeak is...amplified.

But i play unplugged too...just long enough to crave plugging into an amp.

 

[C_Becker]

I try to play plugged in as much as possible, because I am mainly a high-gain player and I don't want to form bad habits. Contrary to popular belief, you have to play very clean under high-gain, because you hear every little squeak or not-completely-muted string, and thats what I try to achieve.

When playing unplugged a lot, I start to hit the strings much harder than I actually need.
I want to avoid that, so plugged in it is. I mainly use my little Blackstar HT-1 head for TV volume practice. I have a 6505 mini head as well if I want to piss of the neighbours

 

[rogue3]

just to add,from my perspective today,i don't find that playing unplugged has any negative affects on my technique when when i switch to plugging in.It's just a different way of playing electric. I play and enjoy both ways routinely(plus i play acoustic daily...a little )

When i was beginning...learning to play,then yes,it could result in a few bad habits. Plug into an amp,to realize the full dynamics of the instrument you are playing.