Playing bass unplugged

[SouthTippBass]

Sure, all the time. Plugged in is preferred but not always an option when you are renting a room in a smallish house with other people.

 

[Davo-London]

I practice with headphones and through a laptop so I can add effects (reverb) and play along to music as required. So I never practice with an amp.

I prefer this method and it means I can practice when everyone else is in bed.

Davo

 

[sratas]

usually trough amp and studio grade headphones, but occasionally I play unplugged in living room, but only with the wick ltd 2013, that sounds loud and complex even unplugged and with my usual medium touch.

the others...well, they are clearly not rewarding unless I plug them in

 

[brianrost]

I'll play unplugged if I want to avoid going into the man cave where an amp is.

Like sitting on the couch watching TV with the missus.

 

[Boom762]

I play mostly unplugged a d you are right to say that it makes you comfortable playing hard. I have to play on a high active because when iget real into a song I slam those strings hard and loud. I used to play unplugged a lot because I was a securit guard for years. Id put the bass in the truck and play along with the radio or cds as practice.

You shojld play both ways i think. Ive met people who wont play something for you u plugged becahse they thino you wont hear it. When your used to it, people in the next room can hear you.

 

[eddododo]

I always suggest against practicing unplugged. It develops horrible habits, health issues in those predisposed to them, and it allows you to ignore (low string) muting while over encouraging rythmic funky percussive muting (which you don't want to NOT be able to control)

There is always value to mixing it up, but for anybody to practice is unplugged all the time I won't be volunteering to listen to your isolated bass tracks

 

[Baird6869]

I almost always practice alone unplugged. Mainly while learning songs or quickly running a setlist for a gig that night.

Mainly due to the fact that I spend a lot of time in my upstairs office, my studio (and amps) are in the basement AND I have a 16 month old baby.

 

[Baird6869]

It develops horrible habits, health issues....

?

 

[dalkowski]

Whether for lack of amp, or close-quarters living, or sheer laziness, I spent many many years practicing unplugged. I truly feel that my technique suffered consequently, as I've had to learn not to always "dig in."

 

[chadds]

I hear the potential of playing too hard and hurting yourself.
However why are you playing so hard?
I've found that playing unplugged put me in touch with the actual vibrations of the notes.
It has improved my touch, inflection and tone.

What better way to gain control? They say play gently and turn your amp up. Okay, try it unplugged. You will hear yourself bringing

real tone. Then when you plug in it will be glorious.

 

[radioface]

I used to practice unplugged and may in the future, do it again. I never experienced any problems practicing this way, and could hear every single note clearly.

 

[Dave Siff]

I practice unplugged exclusively. It's an endorsement thing.
But seriously, there's no way for me to simulate a performance situation at my house. I can't turn up that loud, and my bandmates aren't there anyway. Practicing unplugged allows me to practice at any hour of the day, in any room of the house.

 

[eddododo]

I hear the potential of playing too hard and hurting yourself.
However why are you playing so hard?
I've found that playing unplugged put me in touch with the actual vibrations of the notes.
It has improved my touch, inflection and tone.

What better way to gain control? They say play gently and turn your amp up. Okay, try it unplugged. You will hear yourself bringing

real tone. Then when you plug in it will be glorious.

Good point- if your bass sounds NOT like a clanky mess unplugged then your technique and therefore amplified tone will be focused and disciplined. The problem is that its hard to get a silent room, a patient disciplined mind, and a loudish unplugged bass all in the same reality

 

[eddododo]

?

Horrible habits of constantly digging in, health issues of tension stress and strain of the wrists hands and fingers from digging in constantly

 

[petrus61]

Oh yes, nothing beats the sound of an unplugged Fender with flats or some new stainless steel rounds. I get better tone beating a pillow and running my fingernails across a chalkboard.

 

[chadds]

Oh yes, nothing beats the sound of an unplugged Fender with flats or some new stainless steel rounds. I get better tone beating a pillow and running my fingernails across a chalkboard.

I didn't know we could talk about personal pleasuring here on TB.

 

[Mktrat]

At least half the time I practice unplugged late at night after the mini's are asleep. If I plugged in then I would be divorced. I do sometimes practice running through GarageBand with some headphones.

I play fretless mostly and find my intonation has actually improved because I really have to concentrate. No chorus or anything to hide poor execution. Digging in can be an issue but I am usually in a near silent room so I don't need much pressure to hear myself.

 

[chadds]

Oh yes, nothing beats the sound of an unplugged Fender with flats or some new stainless steel rounds. I get better tone beating a pillow and running my fingernails across a chalkboard.

Seriously perhaps, and it does bring up another fiery subject here, but perhaps if you try other basses you may find a Fender or other brand that does sound good unplugged. This is the secret to a whole world of tone.

 

[lfmn16]

I always suggest against practicing unplugged. It develops horrible habits, health issues in those predisposed to them, and it allows you to ignore (low string) muting while over encouraging rythmic funky percussive muting (which you don't want to NOT be able to control)

I'm mystified how people claim they can hear better unplugged than plugged. But this is Talkbass.

 

[radioface]

I can't hear better unplugged but, I can hear my bass, a Fender fretless 4 just fine.