Do you use your best amps to practice

[MonstersOfTheMidway]

I'll use my good stuff/expensive stuff for simple personal practice time. I like to keep everything going in the rotation.

 

[neikeel]

Often use an electric unplugged with an ipod to learn new stuff, but there is no doubt that being plugged into the chosen gigging amp set up for whatever is next helps me later.

 

[Chrome]

in regards to amps, I don't have any that aren't best lol. that being said sometimes, when I just don't feel like going to the basement to rock out, I will plug the guitar and a set of headphones in my headrush pedal board so I can rock out, without disturbing anyone. those moments are purely for fretboard work and repetitions.

 

[GibsonMarshallGuy47]

for band practice & for recording - yes, of course I use my good amp... I used to be paranoid about bringing my Marshall tube amp to shows. I used to just bring a 100-watt solid-state amp to gigs, until one day I realized that as a guitarist that prides himself with being meticulous about tone, I really need to present the best representation of my tone at live shows, even if that meant bringing my expensive tube head, despite the risk of damage or theft.

 

[JeffMcLeod]

I have a 30W Line 6 combo and a DSL20HR with MX212A (a couple others not even worth mentioning).

I use the Line 6 for headphone playing, the DSL for everything else. The DSL is my best amp, so the answer is Yes, I use my best amp to practice.

I'm lucky if I play once a year anymore, so not sure it really matters, lol.

 

[saxon68]

Depends, for just jamming or working on songs, I may do any of the below:
Pick up the guitar and jam unplugged. Wasnt from Vai, just started it a couple years ago and found I played better after doing this.

Plug into the big amps

Plug into Katana Air

Plug into WAZA air (they’re new to me, pretty cool that I can play pretty silently as far as others are concerned.

 

[tubes]

for band practice & for recording - yes, of course I use my good amp... I used to be paranoid about bringing my Marshall tube amp to shows. I used to just bring a 100-watt solid-state amp to gigs, until one day I realized that as a guitarist that prides himself with being meticulous about tone, I really need to present the best representation of my tone at live shows, even if that meant bringing my expensive tube head, despite the risk of damage or theft.

You came around to the correct way of reasoning.
But it gets more expensive: you need to bring TWO of those best amps to a gig.
Because an amp might fail. You need a back-up.

Never mind me: this thread brought up bad memories of gear failing at gigs. Now I just bang on about 'you need two of everything'.

 

[G the wildman]

I have a 30W Line 6 combo and a DSL20HR with MX212A (a couple others not even worth mentioning).

I use the Line 6 for headphone playing, the DSL for everything else. The DSL is my best amp, so the answer is Yes, I use my best amp to practice.

I'm lucky if I play once a year anymore, so not sure it really matters, lol.

Damn you need to change that. Try ten mins each day.

Hope u r well.

G

 

[GibsonMarshallGuy47]

You came around to the correct way of reasoning.
But it gets more expensive: you need to bring TWO of those best amps to a gig.
Because an amp might fail. You need a back-up.

Never mind me: this thread brought up bad memories of gear failing at gigs. Now I just bang on about 'you need two of everything'.

well, what I have done in the past, and still do on a rare occasion, is to bring my main Marshall 100-watt tube head as my #1 amp, and my less expensive solid state head as a back-up. I stopped doing that, out of sheer laziness, but I know when my band starts playing gigs again (we haven't played a show in over a year, for logistical and practical reasons) I need to go back to bringing a back-up amp to shows.
that being said, I always make sure to bring two guitars, extra strings, an extra overdrive pedal, and extra cables as well.

 

[Vinsanitizer]

I'll use my good stuff/expensive stuff for simple personal practice time. I like to keep everything going in the rotation.

I keep all my gears in rotation too, expecially my maplifiers.

 

[Derek S]

Not lately, tubes are pricey and that's if you can even find your specific preference in stock anywhere. I fortunately just re-tubed my Bogner right before the Ukraine issue so it's loaded and ready for prime time. The SLO desperately needs new russian tubes however so sadly, she's been collecting dust. Those are my two "best amps" and I tend to only use them for recording. The AxeFx has been seeing a ton of action for that too however. My lowly DSL15 head into a 2x12 is my fun "practice rig" as well as a handy little spare setup for the occasional student.

But really, for daily woodshedding, writing, etc...I tend to just go raw guitar, unplugged.

 

[tubes]

I keep all my gears in rotation too, expecially my maplifiers.

What about guitars? If I turn my back on a guitar for more than five days it needs new strings.
It's humid where I live but this seems excessive. I know there are members here in the USA who say their location is also very humid but they don't complain about constantly changing strings.

 

[saxon68]

What about guitars? If I turn my back on a guitar for more than five days it needs new strings.
It's humid where I live but this seems excessive. I know there are members here in the USA who say their location is also very humid but they don't complain about constantly changing strings.

I’ve gone a year or so without changing if they’re not seeing a lot of action. The ones I take to gigs I try to change them 1x month.

 

[Vinsanitizer]

What about guitars? If I turn my back on a guitar for more than five days it needs new strings.
It's humid where I live but this seems excessive. I know there are members here in the USA who say their location is also very humid but they don't complain about constantly changing strings.

Hi tubes. Does it happen when you store your guitars in their cases? Or only when you leave them out?

If your guitars are constantly in an environment such that your strings are corroding, you need to move your guitars to a drier environment more so for the sake of your guitars than your strings. Otherwise, just for the heck of it, try coated strings?

Some players have issues with acidic hands, sweat more than usual, etc. I am neurotic about washing my hands before I pick up a guitar, even a 5 second rinse is all, and my strings last me a good 6-12 mos. (at home, gigging's a whole different story).

 

[tubes]

Hi tubes. Does it happen when you store your guitars in their cases? Or only when you leave them out?

If your guitars are constantly in an environment such that your strings are corroding, you need to move your guitars to a drier environment more so for the sake of your guitars than your strings. Otherwise, just for the heck of it, try coated strings?

Some players have issues with acidic hands, sweat more than usual, etc. I am neurotic about washing my hands before I pick up a guitar, even a 5 second rinse is all, and my strings last me a good 6-12 mos. (at home, gigging's a whole different story).

Thanks for the tips Vin. I have thought about those issues.
A while back I strung a guitar before a gig (because you have to take a backup). I did not play it. It stayed in the case for a few weeks. When I opened the case the strings were rust.

Hands:
I have assumed I must have the sweaty hands of death for strings - but it might not be just that.
I have seen a few members here talking about washing hands. I try to implement that too.

I have tried coated strings. It did not help. This surprised me.

I usually oil my strings after a rehearsal. Not too much, just a wipe down with an oily cloth.
I recently bought a product from Jim Dunlop: it's like an oily disc of foam in a small jar. It's for wiping over the strings after playing. I has not helped.

In the end, I suspect you are right in mentioning the environment and its dryness.
We have a mild climate here. Consequently nobody has air conditioning in homes. Some people might use a dehumidifier. I have not used one for years.
Where I live now is very 'close to nature'. I mean, we have huge doors open all the time. We are practically living outdoors.

Fortunately, my problems are limited to strings. If I owned a couple of $10,000 Les Pauls I would be motivated to get the household climate under control very quickly.

 

[ido1957]

I'm lucky enough still to be able to practice with my main amp, monitors etc. I can't crank it to stage volume but it's close. I do find that like any amp, mine has to get to a certain volume for the thing to sound "right"

 

[Vinsanitizer]

Thanks for the tips Vin. I have thought about those issues.
A while back I strung a guitar before a gig (because you have to take a backup). I did not play it. It stayed in the case for a few weeks. When I opened the case the strings were rust.

Hands:
I have assumed I must have the sweaty hands of death for strings - but it might not be just that.
I have seen a few members here talking about washing hands. I try to implement that too.

I have tried coated strings. It did not help. This surprised me.

I usually oil my strings after a rehearsal. Not too much, just a wipe down with an oily cloth.
I recently bought a product from Jim Dunlop: it's like an oily disc of foam in a small jar. It's for wiping over the strings after playing. I has not helped.

In the end, I suspect you are right in mentioning the environment and its dryness.
We have a mild climate here. Consequently nobody has air conditioning in homes. Some people might use a dehumidifier. I have not used one for years.
Where I live now is very 'close to nature'. I mean, we have huge doors open all the time. We are practically living outdoors.

Fortunately, my problems are limited to strings. If I owned a couple of $10,000 Les Pauls I would be motivated to get the household climate under control very quickly.

Then my only remaining suggestion, which I would make to myself, is to try and use a small room, and install whatever you need to keep it temperature & humidity controlled, and see how that works. Obviously something's causing the rust, and if you have guitars just sitting around rusting while unplayed, it has to be an environmental factor.

 

[Crikey]

Hi Guys,

Even when I am practicing the most mundane repetitive drills, I still like to use my best amps. I like to hear everything sound nice.

I tend to use my practice amp as an easy grab and go option sometimes when I am short for time and need to get somewhere. Otherwise, it is the flavour of the month. How about you?

G

No mine have clear plastic slip cover like my furniture… 😂

 

[keennay]

I use the Amplitube MacOS app with a Universal Audio DAW to practice. Used to own both a Kemper & Axe FX III, then sold when I couldn't hear the difference... or maybe my ears are beyond busted

 

[tubes]

Then my only remaining suggestion, which I would make to myself, is to try and use a small room, and install whatever you need to keep it temperature & humidity controlled, and see how that works. Obviously something's causing the rust, and if you have guitars just sitting around rusting while unplayed, it has to be an environmental factor.

That's prolly the right idea. I don't actually have ANY rooms at present.

My wife and I said: 'Let's just start off with huge open space and think about rooms later, once we have lived in it for a while.'

Meanwhile I recently bought a Strat and I'm thinking that I don't want to change strings every time I pick up a different guitar.