Do you mostly play your guitar clean or dirty

Session 5

Session 5

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I play clean most of the time, because I believe it makes me a better player, one thing for sure if you make a mistake you will definitely hear it. When playing dirty its easier to hide mistakes, that's why I play clean more often, to get those notes and chords down accurately. Of course I play dirty because of songs that are played with distortion.

But I even practice the songs that use distortion clean, once i get a distorted song down in a clean setting , then I play it with dirt.
 
Session 5 said:
I play clean most of the time, because I believe it makes me a better player, one thing for sure if you make a mistake you will definitely hear it. When playing dirty its easier to hide mistakes, that's why I play clean more often, to get those notes and chords down accurately. Of course I play dirty because of songs that are played with distortion.

But I even practice the songs that use distortion clean, once i get a distorted song down in a clean setting , then I play it with dirt.
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I'm similar.

When I am first learning a song, I usually play clean, as in, direct to my mixer and I listen on headphones. Once I am comfortable with the notes, timing, and technique, I'll switch to my processor and start adding in any necessary effects, like distortion, and other effects, as applicable.

As I rarely use a physical amplifier and traditional pedal board anymore, that usually is not something I generally worry about.
 
I play pretty clean. Some reverb, chorus and delay is about all I add. Plus I’m playing into my Boss GT1 with headphones.

If I could get a good grasp on playing dirty I’d probably do more of it. Just never like how I sound. My kid can take my guitar. Plug in. Tweak the amp and pedals and sound like a rock star. I pick up same guitar. Change nothing. And sound like crap. So don’t tell me it’s about the gear. It’s totally the player.
 
Dirt 99% of the time. A good high gain tone is the most expressive, musically, IMO. And I do not agree that dirt hides mistakes - I personally find it much easier to fake it with a clean tone, while with gain I have to be very precise or it sticks out like a siren. If the gain is covering anything up there is too much, needs to be backed down.
 
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gball said:
Dirt 99% of the time. A good high gain tone is the most expressive, musically, IMO. And I do not agree that dirt hides mistakes - I personally find it much easier to fake it with a clean tone, while with gain I have to be very precise or it sticks out like a siren.
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And that would be my problem. Dirty, my poor technique really stands out. I played acoustic only for so many years that I find I’m playing the electric the same way. Most of my playing is confined to between the nut and 5th fret. Mostly that works…. But not always.
 
gball said:
Dirt 99% of the time. A good high gain tone is the most expressive, musically, IMO. And I do not agree that dirt hides mistakes - I personally find it much easier to fake it with a clean tone, while with gain I have to be very precise or it sticks out like a siren. If the gain is covering anything up there is too much, needs to be backed down.
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I agree in a performance setting, a more amplified signal (gain) will amplify mistakes.

Norm was coming at it as when learning or practicing new pieces or chords for correct string ring outs, useful especially for less experienced players like myself.

I agree with you both: 2 different facets of similar, but not the same discussions.
 
More than half the time I’m not even plugged into an amp. I just pick up the guitar and practice quietly :rolf:. No sense torturing the wife.

Now that the holidays are over (and a few family emergencies), I’m practicing every Tuesday with another retired guy, who is a very talented musician. Most of the songs we are working on I play with some chorus , clean, and then a few with some Blues Driver or TS-9. He’s even discussing playing locally soon, as he knows the owner of a local restaurant (Robert, you might know the Saddleback Inn at Lake Arrowhead village). I’m like, Al, I need a lot more practice first ! :guitar:
 
Don O said:
More than half the time I’m not even plugged into an amp. I just pick up the guitar and practice quietly :rolf:. No sense torturing the wife.

Now that the holidays are over (and a few family emergencies), I’m practicing every Tuesday with another retired guy, who is a very talented musician. Most of the songs we are working on I play with some chorus , clean, and then a few with some Blues Driver or TS-9. He’s even discussing playing locally soon, as he knows the owner of a local restaurant (Robert, you might know the Saddleback Inn at Lake Arrowhead village). I’m like, Al, I need a lot more practice first ! :guitar:
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"No sense torturing the wife."
That depends on how long you've been married. Lol
The longer the better torture is! :strat:
 
For years I used a Trainwreck Rocket and a Trainwreck Express with a channel switcher Rocket for cleans Express for overdrive
with both amps engaged it gave a 3D effect should have been happy 2008 switched to Dumble ODS amps
it took me two years to adjust one infatuate clean sustain two can't hide substandard playing some reason it magnifies it
but when your on nothing else compares the overdrive channel with the preamp boost is next level engage the Klon it's over the top
no need for reverb delay or chorus best part I have my own sound now. Since 2005 only use a pair of amps Dave Haskell turned me on
to that concept in 1971 Dave invented fusion guitar style with the Ford brothers.
 
ibmorjamn said:
As methodical as you are Robert your set up looks like you were in a hurry or just testing it. Are the amps in stereo or are you using one to drive the other? Either way DSL = Dirt. Never played a Germino but I gather they are plexi?
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It was our bandleader's setup....the Germino was his - zero funking gain.

The DSL40C in the pic was the amp i gave to him and he loved it. He gave me the Germino Lead 55 (in exhange because he hated it) and i gave it to one of my guitar students at Rockstars Academy. Totally useless amp for anything but clean Telecaster tones.
 
Inspector #20 said:
It was our bandleader's setup....the Germino was his - zero funking gain.

The DSL40C in the pic was the amp i gave to him and he loved it. He gave me the Germino Lead 55 (in exhange because he hated it) and i gave it to one of my guitar students at Rockstars Academy. Totally useless amp for anything but clean Telecaster tones.
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Wow what a deal a $5600.00 Germino rig for a $300.00 DSL

www.germinoamplification.com

LEAD 55 | germinoamps

www.germinoamplification.com www.germinoamplification.com

www.germinoamplification.com

4x12 | germinoamps

www.germinoamplification.com www.germinoamplification.com
 
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