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Thread: Acoustic vs. Electric practice time.

  1. #1
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    Default Acoustic vs. Electric practice time.

    Now that I have my electric, I am wondering how some of you divide up practice time. I am likely to continue to put most of my time into my acoustic, especially for the rest of my first year of playing regularly, (I have been playing regularly since May) and use the electric more as a "treat" or after having got it down on the acoustic. I just think my fingering, etc. will develop better that way. Any thoughts?
    Steve Thompson
    Sun Valley, Idaho


    Guitars: Fender 60th Anniversary Std. Strat, Squier CVC Tele Hagstrom Viking Semi-hollow, Joshua beach guitar, Martin SPD-16TR Dreadnought
    Amphs: Peavey Classic 30, '61 Fender Concert
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    love is the answer, at least for most of the questions in my heart. . .
    - j. johnson

  2. #2
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    I must admit I have fallen into playing the electric more than my acoustic. This, I know, is a bad mistake. Playing the acoustic makes playing the electric that much easier. But like everyone else I enjoy hearing the sound of the electric coming through the amp.

    Hopefully you have made me stop and analyze the benefit of playing the acoustic more. Especially since I am trying to learn how to finger pick.
    Guitars:

    Electric: Washburn HB-30, Squier Tele Custom Deluxe, Jay Turser Strat.
    Acoustic: Seagull S6.

    AMPs: VOX AD30VT, Peavey Envoy 110.

    Modelers: V-AMP 2, Digitech RP-100A.

    Pedals: Boss RC-2 Loop Station, Boss CE-5 Chorus Ensemble, Digitech Bad Monkey, Ibanez DE7 Delay/Echo, DOD VFX40B 7-Band Graphic EQ, Ibanez CS-5 Super Chorus.

  3. #3
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    Playing your acoustic will:

    Develop your finger strength

    Develop your calluses

    Keep you honest

    But there's really no set rule that says you can't play as much electric as acoustic while you're cutting your teeth.

    Play whatever makes it the most fun. The more fun it is, the more you'll learn.

    Welcome to the wonderous world of guitar!
    Guitars: 2008 Gibson SG Classic, 2006 Gibson Les Paul Standard LE, 2002 Gibson SG Supreme, 2001 Gibson Les Paul Studio Plus, 1996 Les Paul Studio Gem, American Deluxe Double Fat Strat, Bluesville "Super" Strat Copy, MIK Fender "Limited Edition" Tele, JD Bluesville "Night Pilot", Yamaha AES 820, Steinberger Spirit GT Pro, Taylor 355CE, Ovation 1897 Adamas, Ovation CC057 Celebrity

    Amps: Axe FX centered rack rig, Mesa 4x12 cab. Germino Club 40, Johnson JM150 Millennium, Johnson JM250 Millennium, Gibson Titan Medalist Frankenstein.

    Effects: Tonebone Trimode, EH Holy Grail, Boss CH-1, Dunlop Crybaby Classic, Framptone Amp Switcher, THD Hot Plate, Yamaha AG Stomp Acoustic Processor, Boss BCB-60 Pedal Board.

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    Quote Originally Posted by Plank_Spanker
    Playing your acoustic will:

    Develop your finger strength

    Develop your calluses

    Keep you honest

    But there's really no set rule that says you can't play as much electric as acoustic while you're cutting your teeth.

    Play whatever makes it the most fun. The more fun it is, the more you'll learn.

    Welcome to the wonderous world of guitar!
    Yeah, I plan to mix it up. Here it a link to one big piece of motivation for me on the acoustic side. Talk about an honest sounding guitar and song!

    http://youtube.com/watch?v=Qp1rAB0yDeU
    Steve Thompson
    Sun Valley, Idaho


    Guitars: Fender 60th Anniversary Std. Strat, Squier CVC Tele Hagstrom Viking Semi-hollow, Joshua beach guitar, Martin SPD-16TR Dreadnought
    Amphs: Peavey Classic 30, '61 Fender Concert
    Effects and such: Boss: DS-1, CE-5, NS-2 and RC20XL looper, Digitech Bad Monkey, Korg AX1G Multi-effects, Berhinger: TU100 tuner, PB100 Clean Boost, Line 6 Toneport UX2, Electro Harmonix Little Big Muff Pi, DuhVoodooMan's Rabid Rodent Rat Clone, Zonkin Yellow Screamer Mk. II, MXR Carbon Copy Delay


    love is the answer, at least for most of the questions in my heart. . .
    - j. johnson

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    I'm with Planker just play and have fun. It will all come around.

    "No Tele For you." - The Tele Nazi

    Ha! Tele-ish now inbound.

  6. #6
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    Oh yeah............I do have an acoustic guitar don't I.....(?)

    Like my fly fishing rods I tend to take one out and fish it (oops play it I mean) if it hasn't been played for awhile. I usually spend time on one guitar for a couple days then switch. Or if I happen to hear a song that would sound killer on a certain guitar I get that in my head and play that guitar spur of the moment. My acoustic is behind the headboard of our bed as is my Jazz Bass. This thread is a reminder that I still have those!
    Guitars/Bass - MIM Fender Classic 50s Strat, MIM Fender Standard Strat, Squier Classic Vibe 50s Tele, Gibson Les Paul Studio, Epi '56 Gold Top Les Paul, Martin DSR acoustic, Sigma Martin Auditorium electric/acoustic, Squier Jazz Bass.

    Amps/Cabinets/Modelers - Model 2558 50 watt Marshall Silver Anniversary Jubilee combo w/ Celestion Vintage 30s, 4x12 Marshall cabinet w/25 watt Greenback Celestions, Fender Blues Junior w/ a couple of Billm mods, Line 6 POD 2.0, Roland Micro Cube

    Pedals/Effects - Cry Baby Classic Wah, Boss TU-2, Boss NS-2, Boss RC-2 Loop Station, Ross Compressor, MXR Micro Amp, Danelectro FAB Echo, Danelectro FAB Chorus, Danelectro Chicken Salad, Marshall Guv'nor Plus, Marshall Echohead, Duhvoodooman's Zonkin' Yellow Screamer, Digitech Digiverb, Digitech Bad Monkey, Dunlop Fuzz Face, Homemade Loop Bypass pedal, Duhvoodooman's Sonic Tonic (Maxon SD-9 clone +), Voodoo Labs Superfuzz

  7. #7
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    Quote Originally Posted by tone2thebone
    My acoustic is behind the headboard of our bed as is my Jazz Bass. This thread is a reminder that I still have those!
    You must play those guitars in your sleep, if they are behind the headboard. Is that simular to sleeping with your school book under your pillow when cramming for an exam?
    Guitars:

    Electric: Washburn HB-30, Squier Tele Custom Deluxe, Jay Turser Strat.
    Acoustic: Seagull S6.

    AMPs: VOX AD30VT, Peavey Envoy 110.

    Modelers: V-AMP 2, Digitech RP-100A.

    Pedals: Boss RC-2 Loop Station, Boss CE-5 Chorus Ensemble, Digitech Bad Monkey, Ibanez DE7 Delay/Echo, DOD VFX40B 7-Band Graphic EQ, Ibanez CS-5 Super Chorus.

  8. #8
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    Quote Originally Posted by Tim
    You must play those guitars in your sleep, if they are behind the headboard. Is that simular to sleeping with your school book under your pillow when cramming for an exam?
    The Suzuki School of Dream Guitar!
    Guitars/Bass - MIM Fender Classic 50s Strat, MIM Fender Standard Strat, Squier Classic Vibe 50s Tele, Gibson Les Paul Studio, Epi '56 Gold Top Les Paul, Martin DSR acoustic, Sigma Martin Auditorium electric/acoustic, Squier Jazz Bass.

    Amps/Cabinets/Modelers - Model 2558 50 watt Marshall Silver Anniversary Jubilee combo w/ Celestion Vintage 30s, 4x12 Marshall cabinet w/25 watt Greenback Celestions, Fender Blues Junior w/ a couple of Billm mods, Line 6 POD 2.0, Roland Micro Cube

    Pedals/Effects - Cry Baby Classic Wah, Boss TU-2, Boss NS-2, Boss RC-2 Loop Station, Ross Compressor, MXR Micro Amp, Danelectro FAB Echo, Danelectro FAB Chorus, Danelectro Chicken Salad, Marshall Guv'nor Plus, Marshall Echohead, Duhvoodooman's Zonkin' Yellow Screamer, Digitech Digiverb, Digitech Bad Monkey, Dunlop Fuzz Face, Homemade Loop Bypass pedal, Duhvoodooman's Sonic Tonic (Maxon SD-9 clone +), Voodoo Labs Superfuzz

  9. #9
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    i mostly practice on acoustics. if forces you to make your hammer-ons and pull-offs more precise/pronounced.

    Neil Young rocks.
    Guitars: Fender Telecaster MIJ :: Fender Stratocaster MIJ :: Gibson SG Special Faded :: Washburn Acoustic D10 :: Martin Arts & Craft :: Little Martin Acoustic LXK2 :: Musicman Stingray Bass
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  10. #10
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    Quote Originally Posted by sunvalleylaw
    Yeah, I plan to mix it up. Here it a link to one big piece of motivation for me on the acoustic side. Talk about an honest sounding guitar and song!

    http://youtube.com/watch?v=Qp1rAB0yDeU
    Now THAT'S the shizit!! I love Neil's acoustic stuff (the Harvest album gives me chills to this day). Not only is Neil a Canuck, he's a 'Pegger just like Randy Bachman and Lenny Breau (which is really close to Saskatachawoon). Maybe some of that genius will eventually rub off

    I'm more apt to play around with alternate tunings/drop tunings etc. with acoustic. And I'm more apt to (attempt) to write on acoustic for some reason. It just inspires me more somehow. Electric is my guilty pleasure !

    Trev
    Electrics: Hagstrom Ultra Swede (Gold Eagle Burst) Gretsch 5120 Electromatic (Orange) Custom Nashville Blackout Telecaster (Black, Stat mid/neck p'ups; Lil Puncher (Modern Vintage) bridge p'up; Wilkinson Compensated Bridge w/ 3 brass saddles, Warmoth Vintage Modern Birdseye Maple Neck) Fender MIM Stratocaster (Blue Agave, Rosewood Fretboard, Fender Tex-Mex p'ups; GFS Trem/Block Kit) Highland Spitfire (semi-hollow, flame maple top w/ bubinga inlay)
    Acoustics:Washburn D10CEQSB, Yamaha FG160E
    Bass: Westone Spectrum ST, Warwick Rockbass Corvette Basic Active
    Amps: Vox NT15H/V112NT Night Train, Peavey Bandit 112, Hartke HyDrive 210C Bass Amp, Vox DA5


  11. #11
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    Put some 13's on your electric and there wont be need for acoustic , although playing a nylon string acoustic always seemed easy to me, easier then steel.

  12. #12
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    Quote Originally Posted by t_ross33
    Now THAT'S the shizit!! I love Neil's acoustic stuff (the Harvest album gives me chills to this day). Not only is Neil a Canuck, he's a 'Pegger just like Randy Bachman and Lenny Breau (which is really close to Saskatachawoon). Maybe some of that genius will eventually rub off

    I'm more apt to play around with alternate tunings/drop tunings etc. with acoustic. And I'm more apt to (attempt) to write on acoustic for some reason. It just inspires me more somehow. Electric is my guilty pleasure !

    Trev
    No kidding Neil iz da shizit. I don't have an acoustic yet. But I'll get one someday. I try different tunings on my electric. Mostly to (attempt) to play slide.
    I pick a moon dog.

  13. #13
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    Talking

    Quote Originally Posted by tot_Ou_tard
    No kidding Neil iz da shizit. I don't have an acoustic yet. But I'll get one someday. I try different tunings on my electric. Mostly to (attempt) to play slide.

    Yeah, I love Harvest, Harvest Moon, Prairie Wind, AND all the Crazy Horse noise. That is why I had found, and posted about, the Crazy Horse pedal by Durham Electronics. Haven't had a chance to play around on one, so let me know if someone does.

    A great deal of my acoustic practice has been trying to master Neil Young songs. I am doing pretty well on Heart of Gold, and learned my first hammer on practicing the same. Have been working on Old Man, and like the version I posted even better than the Harvest album version because Neil's guitar takes the place of James Taylor playing the banjo leading into the chorus, and in my opinion, sounds way better. I can get the timing down pretty closely (without ALL of his embellishments), but developed a bad habit of starting and stopping my right hand to get the timing rather than keeping it moving and using string contact for timeing. I am also working on an easy acoustic Hey, Hey, My, My, which I will transfer to my electric as soon as I can pick up an amp. (saving my pennies, dad budget, you know) Also, Neils cover of Four Strong Winds.

    I guess I need to broaden out a little. I will return to my work on Robert's site, esp. the AC/DC lesson and more blues stuff so I can work on improvisation and pentatonic stuff.

    P.S. watching his vids also makes me want to save to a stripped down Martin, like a D15 or 16
    Steve Thompson
    Sun Valley, Idaho


    Guitars: Fender 60th Anniversary Std. Strat, Squier CVC Tele Hagstrom Viking Semi-hollow, Joshua beach guitar, Martin SPD-16TR Dreadnought
    Amphs: Peavey Classic 30, '61 Fender Concert
    Effects and such: Boss: DS-1, CE-5, NS-2 and RC20XL looper, Digitech Bad Monkey, Korg AX1G Multi-effects, Berhinger: TU100 tuner, PB100 Clean Boost, Line 6 Toneport UX2, Electro Harmonix Little Big Muff Pi, DuhVoodooMan's Rabid Rodent Rat Clone, Zonkin Yellow Screamer Mk. II, MXR Carbon Copy Delay


    love is the answer, at least for most of the questions in my heart. . .
    - j. johnson

  14. #14
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    Quote Originally Posted by t_ross33
    Now THAT'S the shizit!! I love Neil's acoustic stuff (the Harvest album gives me chills to this day). Not only is Neil a Canuck, he's a 'Pegger just like Randy Bachman and Lenny Breau (which is really close to Saskatachawoon). Maybe some of that genius will eventually rub off

    I'm more apt to play around with alternate tunings/drop tunings etc. with acoustic. And I'm more apt to (attempt) to write on acoustic for some reason. It just inspires me more somehow. Electric is my guilty pleasure !

    Trev

    Trev: Yeah, Neil is my favorite Canadian, apart maybe from Robert, but Robert is really a Scandanavian.

    Here is a link to what Neil calls a grand old Canadian song:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wNf5Qj_VJf8
    Steve Thompson
    Sun Valley, Idaho


    Guitars: Fender 60th Anniversary Std. Strat, Squier CVC Tele Hagstrom Viking Semi-hollow, Joshua beach guitar, Martin SPD-16TR Dreadnought
    Amphs: Peavey Classic 30, '61 Fender Concert
    Effects and such: Boss: DS-1, CE-5, NS-2 and RC20XL looper, Digitech Bad Monkey, Korg AX1G Multi-effects, Berhinger: TU100 tuner, PB100 Clean Boost, Line 6 Toneport UX2, Electro Harmonix Little Big Muff Pi, DuhVoodooMan's Rabid Rodent Rat Clone, Zonkin Yellow Screamer Mk. II, MXR Carbon Copy Delay


    love is the answer, at least for most of the questions in my heart. . .
    - j. johnson

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