[phcorrigan]

Back to the original topic, I use some degree of reverb, EQ, and other effects, such as compression, when I record, when I play online, and, when I play at the open mic I host, when I'm playing live. I do what it takes to give me a more "natural" or pleasing sound. As Doug said, in photography, the image you get isn't the same as the scene you photographed. In fact, if you are using a modern digital camera or camera phone, it is likely highly processed before you see it. The same is true with recording and amplification systems--the sound they produce isn't the same as the sound coming out of your guitar and/or mouth. There is no rule saying you can't use effects.