So considering the tone is in the fingers..

[horns666]

You practice with the fuggin' sound you play with..duh!

That's >YOUR< tone!!!!!..

[khabibissell]

You practice with the fuggin' sound you play with..duh!

That's >YOUR< tone!!!!!..

Bill's right on. Why practice clean if you are in a metal band playing with high gain 99% of the time? Even when using high gain or delay you can still be honest with yourself about whether or not you're playing cleanly and/or properly. Also, learning to "control" high gain tones is an art in itself (muting for example).

As far as using a guitar that is difficult to play, I don't think that is a good idea either... your practice time will be counter productive because you will be practicing bad habits (too much finger pressure on the neck etc...).

Practice with the tools that you will be using in a band situation.

[z1n]

As far as using a guitar that is difficult to play, I don't think that is a good idea either... your practice time will be counter productive because you will be practicing bad habits (too much finger pressure on the neck etc...).

Practice with the tools that you will be using in a band situation.

I see your point but for me, playing on an acoustic keeps my fingers strong and makes it easier to do stuff such as bends on the jackson. But I do practice plugged in with distortion too (but who doesn't do that?)Works for me

[Jack Napalm]

Why does it always have to either or? There are benefits to practicing both ways. Don't limit yourself to one method. Try new things and expand your capabilities. In doing so you may just develop your own tone.

[khabibissell]

Why does it always have to either or? There are benefits to practicing both ways. Don't limit yourself to one method. Try new things and expand your capabilities. In doing so you may just develop your own tone.

That is true too IMO... trying new things are important. For example, you won't really get the vibe practicing classical on a Soloist through a high gain amp/rack setup, so you should try to use "correct" gear. Of course, you could try to fuse those new techniques into the style you are playing to come up with something different.

My point was that if you are working in the confines of a certain genre, you should probably practice what you will be playing live using the same tone/gear.

[horns666]

Bill's right on. Why practice clean if you are in a metal band playing with high gain 99% of the time? Even when using high gain or delay you can still be honest with yourself about whether or not you're playing cleanly and/or properly. Also, learning to "control" high gain tones is an art in itself (muting for example).

As far as using a guitar that is difficult to play, I don't think that is a good idea either... your practice time will be counter productive because you will be practicing bad habits (too much finger pressure on the neck etc...).

Practice with the tools that you will be using in a band situation.

Thanks for elaborating Steve.. long story short. You dial in a tone that responds well to your ears and fingers, no matter what amp. You will always gravitatate to what sounds "right" in your head. The point is to convey that tone to people. That's your tone!!!. What comes out of any amp you play, any guitar you play..it will sound exactly like you.

I take my tone everywhere I go..no matter what I'm playing. But it's hard getting divebombs and "pings" on an acoustic guitar..but I try anywhoo.

As far as my finger strength. My hand is half paralyzed from a neck injury. I think years of playing bass help me there. I can't use my pinky much anymore and can't feel the strings at all ..but I do the best with what I got. ..people seem to like it..so you gotta go with what works for you.

You really can't ask someone else what's best for you..most of the time that don't work. You can't lick all clitorises the same exact way..they may look similiar..but they're different as hell to play!

No need to make something simple convoluted..Frank Zappa said it best..."Shut up and play yer guitar"..that's your tone..if you don't like it..make it better..practice.

[Jack The Riffer]

My tones smell funny.

[horns666]

My tones smell funny.

Then you're doing something right jack!!!

We started to play guitars so that we could all smell funny.

[z1n]

How can I make my tone smell better? I tried fruit but that doesn't seem to work.

[shredmonster]

Bill's right on. Why practice clean if you are in a metal band playing with high gain 99% of the time? Even when using high gain or delay you can still be honest with yourself about whether or not you're playing cleanly and/or properly. Also, learning to "control" high gain tones is an art in itself (muting for example).

As far as using a guitar that is difficult to play, I don't think that is a good idea either... your practice time will be counter productive because you will be practicing bad habits (too much finger pressure on the neck etc...).

Practice with the tools that you will be using in a band situation.

Both these guys are dead on.