Options for practicing through headphones

[DRS]

I've been using the relatively new Zoom "G1 Four" multieffects pedal. There's a similar "G1X Four" that has an expression pedal attached. My G1 Four is 400 miles away right now so I can't check it, but IIRC I use the Fender Twin model with 2x12 speaker model, both tweaked by me for clean playing, and I sometimes use reverb or other effects as the mood strikes. I use mostly a Gibson ES335 or a Heritage Sweet 16 with it. I've been very pleased with the sound. The Zoom can be used to input into a DAW, and it has an auxiliary input to accept playalong tracks. Cost was around US$80, or US$100 for the G1X.

The presets on the G1 Four tend toward the rock-and-roll, but it's very easy to adjust them to sound good with a jazz style.

Another thing that works for me is to use open-back headphones with it instead of closed-back. The result sounds somewhat airier, if that's a word, and therefore much less closed-in than closed-back headphones sound.

Zoom also has A1 and B1 Four models, aimed at acoustic instruments and basses respectively, but for my purposes I liked the amp simulations on the G1 better. For some players the A1 or B1 might be better.

Another vote for Zoom G1Four. I use Audio Technica ATH M50 headphones.

[Flat]

+1 for the Yamaha THR series. I have an older THR 10C. It sounds surprisingly good to me through headphones (or as a bedroom practice amp).

Some of these other suggestions are probably just as good or better. But this ain't bad. And it runs on batteries so you can plop down almost anywhere.