Electric Guitar in an apartment??? - Page 2

XBallardite · January 29th, 2008

Hi,

I'm getting a larger-than-expected tax refund this year and have been toying with the idea of getting an electric guitar (I have my eye on an inexpensive Agile telecaster copy). But here's the problem: I live in an older apartment building where the walls aren't soundproof and was wondering if it's a) even worth considering. I already have a nice classical guitar that I practice on; and b) feasible to set up a system where I play through headphones or my laptop or some other ultra-low-output way.

I like the idea of playing with an electric, but I really don't want to bother anyone else.

Ideas? Am I wasting my time? Should I stop being so greedy and be happy with the nice acoustic guitar that I have?

Thanks,

Adam

Huge · #16 February 3rd, 2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by XBallardite

A volume knob ... interesting.

What is this "knob" you speak of?

They're these little plastic things on the front of most amps. Often set to "10".

Some people seem unaware that they can be rotated counter-clockwise.

D-Dawn · #17 February 4th, 2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Huge

They're these little plastic things on the front of most amps. Often set to "10".

Some people seem unaware that they can be rotated counter-clockwise.

C'mon...thats an urban myth right!?! Next you'll tell us there's not a Santa Claus or Easter Bunny!!

doug russell · #18 February 4th, 2008

Like it's bin said. use headphones through a mini amp. Theres a big choice out there.

JessThrasher · #19 February 20th, 2008

I am thinking of getting a pocket amp or a 1 watt amp becuz I always have to play unplugged late at night so I don't wake up sleeping mom/sleeping dad. Got afew in mind though.

doug russell · #20 February 21st, 2008

Marshall MS-2R. I got my daughter one last xmas. Its only about 6 inches high, has a clean and a od setting with a clip you can hook on to your belt if you want to. I use it a lot. Awesome little amp only cost £20.

JessThrasher · #21 February 21st, 2008

What was that one that Jack Black was using in the movie School of Rock?

doug russell · #22 February 22nd, 2008

I believe your right Jessica.

JessThrasher · #23 February 22nd, 2008

I think its time i show some respect for my parents. Don't want to give them any more reasons to kick me out. I even stopped listening to heavy metal so much. Well I still do, but not like all the time and not so loud.

doug russell · #24 February 22nd, 2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by hermanli_ibanezshredder

I think its time i show some respect for my parents. Don't want to give them any more reasons to kick me out. I even stopped listening to heavy metal so much. Well I still do, but not like all the time and not so loud.

Thats nice Jessica. "Respect equals respect" it's the "equals" in the middle that really matters. Good luck.

XBallardite · #25 February 22nd, 2008

Hi Jessica,

I went with the headphones option and it seems to work well- no complaints at all from my roommate, and I tend to play about 1 in the morning after I get home from work. I ended up getting a Crate FW-15 and a nice pair of headphones (which cost under $25). So you still get full sound without bothering anyone.

For the record, here's where I posted pics of the new toy:
Now I just have to learn what to do with it

karateQueen · #26 February 24th, 2008

If you can play a tune - does it matter who can hear you?
but your bound to get some grumpy person complaining, (probably jealous cos they cant play) better off plugging in headphones or keep the volume to a minimum.

JessThrasher · #27 February 24th, 2008

Except I can't seem to find a way to adapt my Ipod earphones for the amp.

doug russell · #28 February 25th, 2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by hermanli_ibanezshredder

Except I can't seem to find a way to adapt my Ipod earphones for the amp.

Has the Ipod earphones got an 1/8 jack. If so, you can get a 1/8 to 1/4 stereo jack.

allthumbs · #29 February 25th, 2008

I just spent a week in the I.C.U. with my sick wife. I took my electric and played it quietly to while away the hours. I enjoyed it immensely. Didn't bother me a bit not having it plugged in.

Stratrat · #30 February 25th, 2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by karateQueen

If you can play a tune - does it matter who can hear you?...

For somebody living in an apartment who has neighbors on sides, top and bottom, it surely matters....especially when the eviction notice is served. If you're a parent and the only playing time you can sneak in is when the kids are asleep, it definitely matters. If you're a kid living at home and your practice space is close to the room where your parents watch television (or sleep), it matters. If you take your guitar along when traveling and want to sneak in a little jam time in the hotel room (most hotels have paper-thin walls), it matters.

There are a lot of circumstances where it matters who can hear you...whether you're a great guitarist or not. Having a headphone amp, or at least an amp that you can play at volumes below normal conversational level, comes in real handy. While some people are fortunate enough to live in a place (or have a practice space) where they can crank up their 100-watt 4x12 half-stack whenever they want to, there are many, many more who don't have that luxury.

I have certain times when I can 'dime' the volume and play as loud as I want to - but there are plenty of other times when I have to keep it quiet. I don't think the neighbors would have the same appreciation as I do for 1:00 a.m. practice sessions, nor would my wife have much appreciation for the great tone of my amp and the nuances of my playing if I was cranking it up while she was watching television in the chair next to me!

Times like that it's either unplugged (as Allthumbs said), or through the headphones or the Micro Cube.