Practicing unplugged has hurt my playing. Without hearing the interaction with the amp, notes come out sloppy or the palm muting is all wrong. For someone who plays all the time that might not be a problem, but it is for me. I play mostly unplugged in front of the TV. Everyone is glad I don't have it plugged in. When everyone is gone I practice mostly through a Vox Night Train that was modified my Jule. I had something else to say but I can't remember what that would have been.