does it make sense to play an unamplified electric guitar?

Why not use some free amp simulators for your pc? Hook your guitar up and go.

+1 for the amp simulator (providing you have a cable to connect the guitar and PC with...)

The thing that sprung to my mind; did your mate lend you the electric guitar for you to find out if you wanted to purchase one of your own, or just to play for a bit then give back?

If it was to see if you wanted to purchase one of your own, then don't worry about the amp so much - just focus on if you enjoy playing this type of guitar.

If you arn't planning on buying one of your own, then don't worry about developing bad habits - chances are you wont have it long enough to play enough to develop them! :lol:

Pete

I very often play my electric unplugged, late at night when everyone else (everyone in this case being the Mrs and my neighbours) is asleep. I can hear it, no-one else can. I suppose I could use headphones, but there'd be wires everywhere and it's easier to just play unplugged.

During the daytime's a different matter though.....

:D :D :D

Vic

Hi

first of all thanks for the suggestions, to answer your question:

a) unfortunately i do not have a pc (I'm writing from the job!!!)

b) my friend did not lent me the his amplifier because it's broken

c) i'll keep playing electric guitar because I have the dream to form a band

so i will have to get an amplifier sooner or later. My doubt is that if get it as soon as possible (if playing witouth it could make me develop some bad habits) or if I could wait a bit. Another trouble is that i live in a blok of flats and my neighbourhood could kill me if I play guitar too loud!!

Matteo

Matteo

I often play unplugged, to keep it quiet. With a semihollowbody, it sounds pretty good that way. With a flat axe, you can hear what you're doing, but there's not much tone. You definitely need to keep some amped practice mixed in there, or as you say bad habits will creep in unnoticed.

Why don't you get a headphone amp or a mini amp ? That is cheap and will let you hear what you are playing. Then you can decide if you still wanna go unplugged or play with an amp.

Here's the link.

Or a multi effects. For example, my Zoom G2.1u has an output for headphones. A possible advantage is the multi effects also include amp modellers, so you can get a lot of effects and several amps in the same unit. When you get a real amp you can use it for the effects or even the amps. My unit also includes a rhythm box and a tuner.

+1 on the Mini Amp and/or MEfx unit.

You NEED to plug in. If you play acoustic now and are used to just it, you'll find your self 'over playing' the electric so you can hear it without any amplification which may hurt technique later on, though easily corrected.

For me, it doesn't make sense to play an electric unplugged unless its a hollow body or similar. But you can and will get a sense of feel for it even though its not plugged in.

+1 to Vic's comments. :D

I have an acoustic and an electric w/amp and headphones.

But last night after the wife went to bed I decided to read through some more of Hodges lessons (House of the Rising Sun, Margaritaville, After the Gold Rush).

Instead of hooking up the amp and headphones, I just grabbed the electric and practiced chords and strumming on a few songs. My intent was just to mess around a bit. I had already practiced for a good 3 hours on the acoustic that day. Lo and behold, I found myself totally engrossed and wound up playing around for another 2 hours.

I wouldn't play like that all the time.

You say you're playing hard rock and metal, but don't have a computer, and eventually want to form a band. It's time to look at a getting a practice amp.

I've got a Roland Cube 15x, but I've heard lots of good things about the Roland Microcube.

Cheers,
Landog

It makes sense to my wife and kids for me to play unplugged :lol:

I have a cheap multi-effects box ( a used V-Amp) and a set of headphones that I use when I want to hear what it's really supposed to sound like, but I often play unplugged.

hmmmm, i play most of the time unplugged, have done for about 3 years, its down to trying to be quiet, laziness and moving between houses while been at uni and such. Ive had my amp underneath stacks of stuff while im re-decorating my bedroom which has and still is taking months to get round to finishing, Whenever I do plug in, I end up taking distortion off so I can hear my notes properly while learning,

I quite often play electric unplugged so as not to disturb the rest of the family. My Pacifica plays quite nice unplugged. Usually practice scales and stuff when I'm unplugged so that sound isn't so critical. It's definitely a good idea to mix your playing with some sort of amped sound though.

A multi FX pedal is a good solution if you need quietness. Just plug in the headphones and away you go. This is how I started off before I got my first amp. You can pick a decent one up at a reasonable price.

8)

Why not use some free amp simulators for your pc? Hook your guitar up and go.

Got any links?

hi all

thanks for the kind suggestions, so in a nut it's better for me to get a small amplifier or a multi-effect and reserve the unplugged session at late night or when I try to learn some complex new parts where the most important thing is to learn the right movements.

Cheers everyone

Matteo