Last time you plugged STRAIGHT IN?

[Steinmetzify]

Used to use a bunch of pedals, and before that some rack stuff, but about a year ago I went down to one guitar and one amp. It's not that way anymore, but I still only use guitar, cable and amp. 10 band in the loop for low volume playing at home, but that's it.

 

[DoomBuggi]

I used to have to run boosts in front of my 3ch dual recto in the past but sold that off to buy a 2ch triple recto.
I've been plugging straight in ever since I got it and have since sold off my pedalboard and the majority of my pedals.

Just plugging straight in with a guitar with high output pickups just kills, brings a smile to my face everytime.
BTW since I saw your profile pic, thought I'd mention that the new Neuraxis album kills

Some friends and I got together comparing our amps, cabs, and pickups. Though I use passive pickups, I have to confess; the EMG 81 through the Triple Rec was fucking brutal.

Also, every since I got my Beast Mod from Ralph, I have completely forgotten about boost, and OD pedals. Thanks Ralph, and Mike!!!

 

[Random Hero]

Everyday. Hackin' around is typically: guitar -> cord -> amp.

However, when playing live:
- I use all Evidence Audio cable (i.e., guitar cable, pedalboard wiring, pedalboard-to-amp/FX loop cable runs, etc.);
- I have a great quality, transparent boost at the front of my pedalboard chain;
- All of my pedals are real true bypass,
- All of my heads have quality, buffered FX loops;
- I run an Egnater Loop Gadget in my loop, which is buffered on the send and return legs, with adjustable send and return levels for matching the instrument level pedals with some amps' line level FX loops.

I find, with this set-up, the little tone and feel I lose out of the amp is more than compensated for by the flexibility having a few tools at the feet can provide. Lest we forget that, your guitar signal is only as good as the weakest component in the signal path.

I still love going straight in though!

No buffer out front? I find it hard to believe your tone isn't duller than plugging straight in if not...

 

[Shark Diver]

All the time. But I like the toys as well.

 

[jlbaxe]

Always. Any effects are in the wet cabs. The Tone of my 20th X is so sweet I refuse to mess with it. Amp has built in boost on all 3 channels

 

[Michi]

Last time I plugged straight in was at the latest rehearsal we had, must've been last Thursday.

I see my chain as "straight in" when I go Radial Bones London -> tuner -> London City 100w plexi clone .

 

[Chris O]

Every time I play, I plug straight into my AxeFx!

 

[thegame]

I've got you all beat. I don't even use cables. It requires some contortioning while I play but man, the TONE ! I plug my guitar direct to the amp with this :

 

[Superunknown]

Been plugging straight in for 10+ years. I can't stand to plug into any pedals in front of the amp. Sad because pedals are lots of fun but they change the tone to much for me.

 

[gtrwun]

Good topic. I forced myself to play without a lead boost /OD this week at rehearsal. I had to fight the guitar a bit more on lead breaks , but I really liked the clarity and feel without relying on the extra gain from the pedal. The Aldrich has plenty of gain anyhow, so it's just a matter of manipulating the volume on the guitar. I still like a little micro chorus on my clean tho.

 

[rupe]

Been playing my Marsha in a blues project and scrapped my rack full of pedals. I occasionally use a wah but most of the time I just plug straight in. It's like taking off a condom

 

[Atropos_Project]

All the time for practice purposes.

A better question is how many of you practice on a clean channel?

 

[DET1973]

I plug Straight in to my Jubilee. the only outboard gear i have is a Korg DTR-1000 Tuner, a Rocktron Guitar Silencer in the loop and that's all.

 

[philb]

I plug direct all the time. The only thing I have in front of the amp is a wah and a volume pedal. All the effects are in the loop.

This what I have on the floor.

 

[Spaceboy]

I can't get most amps to perform going direct for my kind of music. If I could splurge 3k+ for an amplifier, I would love to keep a rig down to a guitar, head, and cabinet, but amplifiers in my price range really need boosts.

 

[Shark Diver]

All the time for practice purposes.

A better question is how many of you practice on a clean channel?

Amp blew up at a Casino gig once. Straight into the board. We sounded pretty jazzy that night. It was actually fun. And my rig went down at an audition once. Plugged straight into the board. Got the gig anyway so I can't be all that bad.

But if I was going to practice clean, by myself at least, I wouldn't even plug in.

 

[VC4Ever]

Straight in is the only way. All this pedal crap and FX racks are insanity. Never understood this.. Why have a tube amp and then use all this solid state stuff in your signal chain.

 

[Zachman]

Straight in is the only way.

Clearly that isn't true or correct

All this pedal crap and FX racks are insanity. Never understood this..

There is a lot of useful info available to help you understand. Of course, playing and engineering are separate considerations, but they are related.

Why have a tube amp and then use all this solid state stuff in your signal chain.

It's not all necessarily solid state, but the obvious answer is, "so they have more options".

That's why some use a w/d or w/d/w approach. (Some w/ switching systems, some without) Some don't want the coloration that running a series chain brings. Some prefer the coloration. There is really no right or wrong, just preferences of individuals. Some individuals prefer simple, some prefer complex-- clearly not everyone has the needs or preferences.

Some are just meat and potatoes guys w/ simple needs and that is TOTALLY legit. Some are Meat and potato players, but not ONLY meat and potatoes.

Hope that helps

 

[PrestoDone]

I Started off using a bunch of pedals...still have a decent pedal board , but when i A/B with and without pedals I noticed something was cuttting my gain a bit. I Have a feeling its either my Tu-2 or my Ernie Ball Volume pedal. I Just go straight in now till i get a amp gizmo switching system and put most of my pedals in the loop.

 

[Anonymous]

today.

i run an a/b system though W/D/W and the crappy preamp i use for efx has its own preamp sound i dial in for some depth and thickness...but i can live without it even being on....though i will say....when i can't crank my tube amp..and am playing at family friendly volumes, it's nice to have that big, yet tolerable stereo spread sound. love that....gonna love it more when i get a better preamp.