As 2009 approaches..

As 2009 approaches, we realise how time passes; as we do every year end..

As the clock ticks and the present year goes into labour, let us reminisce before 2009 raises its newborn head.

Goodbye to

J & D Les Paul (which was utter crap by the way)

Zoom G2.1U Multi Effects pedal (which was underutilised, underappreciated and undervalued)

Hello and Welcome...

Ibanez Roadstar II - purchased in April specially for a song on a certain someone's birthday *wink

Vox V847a Wah Wah Pedal - purchased in December in the spirit to christmas!

My musical resolutions for 2009 -

To sharpen my technique with resolve. This may be the only time I have for it..

To noodle less and create more.

To sound different without sounding that I'm trying to be different which is by the way very pretentious.

To keep an open mind to other music. (I stress on music, not songs, because songs can equate to rubbish, whereas music is sound untainted with the smear of humanity muah hahahaha)

That's all people.. adieu 2008..

The older you are, the blues-ier you get?

I think in America (or is it anywhere?) it is said that you had to be of a certain age to be able to play the blues. It is their special way of saying that it is a genre played by people who have been through and seen alot.


Above is a video I really like about blues! One of my favourites. Will write up about them soon! The long haired guy(without hat) plays for in ayumi hamazaki concerts for a period of time. Personally I think thats a dreadful waste really!

Merry Christmas

My christmas wistlist is on its way to being fulfilled..

I'VE GOT MY VOX WAH! @ $75 which is like, ridiculous.

Thanks to Citymusic for this sale and addressing the expansion of my musical capabilities!

pictures, people!


My humble FX gear - Marshall MG15CDR, Ibanez Smashbox and Vox V847 Wah.

My guitar

After much consideration, I've decided to name my guitar. What names are suitable? I've thought of Blondie, but thats too copy Clapton's Blacky and it sounds too american. Don't want that do we?

Give me some suggestions!


This guitar hasn't been with me for too long, but I'm guessing it has seen alot, and it has been faithfully guiding me to the yellow brick road of music; although its beat up, its still a darling to play with.


1984 Ibanez Roadstar II - bought 2nd hand. Beautiful maple neck, slightly worn frets, 3 unknown pickups, 1 vol, 1 tone.


This one's for keeps I guess. I dont want the frets to wear out, by then, It'd be kinda worthless, and I don't want to change the frets, that'll be changing many things on this old fella, and I don't want that, no.

Unfinished business

Edwards E-LS-90-L

I was at TYMusic the other day trying out this Edwards unit, together with a Grassroots SG copy. Seriously, it has wonderful tones. The faded TV Yellow is to die for too!

The neck was really comfortable and the bands and vibratos came easily enough. The P90s pickups sang really well too.

I guess I was never wrong in wanting to GAS for an edwards!

I'm just waiting to pounch on a particularly GOOD MODEL.

OH MAN!!!

I'VE FOUND IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It might not be the EXACT ESP Hiro model, BUT IT LOOKS EXACTLY THE SAME!!! OH MAN OH MAN!!

BUT!

Dammit, it has only two knobs, and I can't seem to find it on their main site! DAMN WHY'S THIS SO ELUSIVE!?!?!

Singing heroes

I sorta always envied singers. Every facet of emotion can be discerned from the quivering lip, throaty growls and soothing falsettos. A guitar can be manufactured or hand-made, producing a variety unique tones; but on its own, it is merely an object; waiting for the right hands to use it. But singers, instrument and player are one.

Do you realise we get sick of songs that we used to go crazy for? It was until I found out the reason why I was never sick of dir en grey and Queen was because of, eerie-ly, the haunting vocals that latch themselves into the fabric of your mind even after the song has finished.

Here are my favourites.

Rachael Yamagata

I have only recently stumbled across her existence and she has held me prisoner already. I had an epiphanous moment when I heard Duet, because it dawned to me why music to me was so difficult to make - and that was because I tried to hard to complicate things. Simplicity was the key to such great sounding music. I absolutely love her coarse yet naked voice, absolutely swept me away like a gentle wave snuggling with the sand.

Matt Bellamy - Muse

As a guitarist, Matt is a genius; and as a vocalist, he fares no worse. I'm beginning to wonder if he even is from planet Earth! You know how certain bands sound fantastic on audio but absolutely dung-like live? Matt owns them all! His lives always outdo his recording ones.

Seal - Heidi Klum's wonderful hubby

One of the more powerful male vocals I've heard so far. Apart from being the husband of the runway's most celebrated figure(pardon the pun, heh heh), Seal is a celebrated soul and blues singer. I heard him sing a couple of times, but the most recent "Stand up to cancer" MTV session saw him perform in such a way that I had not choice but to headbang! I respect Seal an artist and a man, for being a humble artist and good husband and father.

Freddie Mercury

The late Freddie is a Legend. I don't think i need to elaborate much further about his talent and worth. I still remember the Brian May interview where he said, "Even when he(Freddie) was diagnosed, he was still downing vodka and hitting those high notes." While many today just sang, Freddie sang from the heart to our ears. My pick from Freddie? Love of my life. Listen to it.

Evan Rachel Wood - of the Across the Universe fame

I watched Across the Universe in the theatres and came out a temporal Beatles fan. The Beatles were great, but I thought the covers were done really well. Eva Rachel Wood as the feisty female lead displayed fine chops - both acting and singing. Her take on If I Fell and Blackbird was really good in a sense that I could feel her nakedness and helplessness as opposed the the original cheery Beatles version. What an angle to look at it, really.

Alicia Keys

I like her. Simply because her talent is undeniable. And she's got soul! Yep, that's the word to describe her voice, soulful and feminine, not too nasal or screechy like the R&B rubbish we hear today (yes, I'm begging you mercy.) yea, sounds like an orange in your throat. Gobbledygook aside, Keys is a talented musician who actually understands her music, and that's why her vocals flow - yoghurty smooth.

Kyo - Dir En Grey

Ignore that scraggly goatee and nevermind that unappealing Asian look. Like the famous line, looks are always deceiving. Kyo's deception arrives in many levels - his music, lyrics, and feel. If you would just close your eyes and listen to him, you'd realise how disturbing and haunting he sounds. Gnarly and snarling, sometimes searing and demented, Kyo really brings you into a dimension that you're afraid to travel in, and blows your mind. Empowering and resonant, he cracks when the music calls for it, screams when the music pushes it, and lulls when the music begs for it. He is a radical artist pushing his limits, although the Dir En Grey songs now are really Slipknot/Death Metal crappy, I still look back at their earlier hits like "Ain't afraid to Die" and "Kodou" where Kyo is like a seasoned actor bending and shaping as the music moulds him, expressing grief, shock, and loss with his powerful lungs and rugged throat.

There you have it! now go forth to good music!

What a way to recycle!

Presenting to you..

The Kronodale Series of guitars!

The design really reminds me of going Green. The funny shape aside, I was really fascinated by the finish of this guitar! I LOVE THE JAPANESE WORDS ON THE FINISH! It looks like those kind of alien computer fonts we see in cartoons like Ninja Turtles or X-Men.

Haven't really heard the tone of this thing, the shape itself makes you wanna GAS for it, right?

Check their unique guitar stand. COOL!!!!!

Dilemma, Once again.

Once again, I'm drawn into this irrevocable black hole of deciding my next axe (jargon for new guitar).

Don't get me wrong; I love my current guitar, he sings beautifully, but here are some reasons I might need a new axe. (Note, not want, but need)

1. When I got my beat-up Ibanez Roadstar I made a fatal mistake - I neglected playability. I was sold on tone alone. Yes, I was a tone whore. I was too fascinated with sweet sound that I failed to realise the neck was a tad fat. Quite a compromise on my playing.

2. My Ibanez is beat up. Scratches, dings, you say it, I have it. I haven't really owned a guitar that I was really satisfied totally with. I love its neck though. Beautiful lacquered finish.

3. Shape. My guitar body shapes are too plain! Come on! you don't wear a T-shirt everyday right?

4. I think my amp is sick of waltzing with single-coiled guitars. He's like, "Not again!". Single Coils are fine, but the hum can really irritate me sometimes. Time for some PHAT PHAT humbuckers hee hee.

5. I haven't felt jumbo frets in a really long time. Maybe I never even tried it before.

Having said that, I'm beginning to re-think my strategies. I realised that out of all the guitars that I've tried, Fenders are the most comfortable hands down.

Gibsons are just too damn fat. And expensive.

Is it going to be a Fender again? Dust? Yes No?

Maybe its a Tele this time for me.

17 days till X'mas

17 days people! Don't we all wish we have some spare cash to get some guitars? With the end year sales going on, I took a trip down to bras basah yesterday to fulfill my weekly dose of guitar porn. A very unhealthy lifestyle, but still beats clubbing.

Guitar Workshop

Playability - fantabulous! I felt like Harry Potter who had found his right wand. Only that I didn't have a pick scar on my forehead and large glasses. It had a very Fender-y V-shape neck, only slightly slimmer, but it made alot of difference on small hands like mine! Vibratos came smooth and barre chords were effortless. The strings were still fresh too!

Tone - On clean, it sounded eerily similar to Fender Japan models, on the bridge you have that distinct twang, and on the neck, the very bluesy warm tones. Difference? Fender has a very very dinstinguish-able scooped tone. It was absent in this Tokai.

Overdrive. This thing can scream! I guess its because it was the humbucker at the bridge. A shredder's dream definitely! Pinches come very easily, and the bending is as easy as sneezing (don't ask me why). Even thought it has medium frets, I felt as if i was playing on jumbo ones!

Specials - the Wilkinson Tremolo. I never expected Tokai models to be fitted with Wilkinson bridges. It is a two-point tremolo so I believe you can execute your dive bombs and other whammy tricks on this? fabulous, really.

List price - a little less than $950 SGD

Honestly, I'd rather get this than the Fender Aerodyne Strat I was GAS-ing for. No complains about the Aerodyne, but this unit here has a Wilkinson, definitely beats the Aerodyne pre-existing bridge.

4/5 owls!

My Top 10 Guitar Heroes

Everyone has their own guitar heroes. Recently I chanced upon the Rolling Stones Top 100 Guitarists of all time and I have to say it is the most screwed up chart ever. I wonder if the top 100 was voted in or conjured up by a jury of weed smoking americans. Yes, I think it has to be the americans.

I never believed that we should judge their music solely by the instrument, but by the amount of heart they put into the music they produce. Jimi Hendrix was great, I'll admit it. But did he deserve the No. 1 spot? I'll say weed was the best guitarist. Even Hendrix died trying to compete with it. The best Beatles songs were all written under some sort of substance abuse, and the glory of Nirvana began with Cobain's heroin love affair. It all Smells Like Drugs to me.

My Top 10, ladies and gentlemen. At least I think they don't invlove drugs.

10. B. B. King


Mr. King, moved me when I watched his videos. His occassional facial spasm somewhat annoys me, but his music was something special. This jolly gentleman and his fine lady - Lucille - make a fine pair on stage, mesmerising thousands till today. He cradling her gingerly on his lap as pushes the right buttons to make her growl, moan, wince and belt out soulful tunes and she, obediently accede to his soft touch.

Who is Lucille? That's his guitar. He named her because in a bar that he was playing at, a fight broke out and something caught fire. King embraced the fiery wreck to get his beloved guitar back, only to realise how stupid he was to risk his life. He later on found out that the two men were fighting over a lady called Lucille. And he named his guitar since to remind himself never to do such a silly thing again. A salute to you sir!

9. Joe Satriani


Known more affectionately as Satch by most fans, Joe Satriani always inspires me to learn more tricks on the guitar. He is like a magician to me, just tha he lacks a bunny lady by his side to do his bidding. Beneath his bald exterior is a man full of naked emotion and soul. His single "Love Thing" was the first I've heard an fell in love with. Each squeal he made sent chills in my spine.

More recently Coldplay had so preposterously plagiarised his 2004 song If I Could Fly, using bulk of it to produce Viva La Vada or whatever it is. Shame on you!

Also, Satch's wife is a Singaporean! How cool is that?! Singaporean women 1, other countries 0.

8. Jack White of the White Stripes

Jack White. His music is never as plain as his pseudo surname. I was captivated in which how he played his music. He had no bassist, rhythmn guitarist or any form of accompanyment! He was all rolled into one! Drums aside, It was fascinating to watch how Jack ripped at the guitar in songs like Icky Thumb and more recently with Alicia Keys's Another Way to Die. One word to describe such drive and creativity - Class.

His choice of guitars and effects he employs creates a very dream-like sound - nightmarish at times and psychedelic in others. His lovely crunchy tone is just induces me to yearn for Gretsches! like the one he is holding here.

7. Angus Young of AC/DC


Familiar attire? You might have seen this on Jack Black in School of Rock countless of times. What made AC/DC so famous? I daresay it was Angus. Sorry to the other guys in AC (I don't even know your names) but i can't help hearing Back in Black and Thunderstruck again because of his raging fretwork.

Angus' energy is infectious. His every picked note somehow found its way into my spine and my skull unconsciously nods. One thing i found fascinating was that he always looked as if he was going to sneeze when he plays the guitar - his signature Gibson SG. But he never does - maybe Jack Black would.

6. John Frusciante of Red Hot Chilli Peppers


I wonder what people think when I mention RHCP. Probably Flea the bassist or Anthony Kiedis, but no one ever remembers this great man of John Frusciante. He was a large influence on me to learn blues properly. His humble attitude towards stardom and his child-like fascination with guitars and his music really warms my heart to know such greats exist.

His brush with hard drugs left him reeling in a rut with nothing. He departed the Chili Peppers and almost met with death. He immediately checked into rehab and conscientiously followed the program, and has since left the substance behind and moved on, announcing that his music is now his best drug ever.

Great big salute to you! I have never more respect for someone who could walk away from such demons of a past.

5. Hide of X Japan


Never heard Japanese music before? Shame on you. My top five are mostly Japanese already.

If this were 2003 still, Hide would have been my number 1 undoubtedly without a moments hesitation. Haha, sad to say, I have moved on.

Hide of X Japan, grandfather of Japanese Rock movement, in my opinion, one of the best technical guitarist in my book. His flamboyant stage presence, pink hair and nonchalant attitude could not be forgotten. Many JRockers try to emulate him but can never ever come close. Hide is a league of his own, a maestro and a legend, try as hard but you can never come close.

Hide inspired me to play guitar. No, he really did. I did not spend the last five years even till today playing 'Weekend' solos in order to improve technique (I know its lame, yea, but) still, no one really ever inspired me so much.

A consistent philantrophist and a soft heart for those who are disabled, Hide till his death gave generously to those who needed help. A museum erected for him does not justify such a great personality, and Japan truly missed and mourned a great, dead as he already is, but gargatuan in real life. RIP, hide.

4. Pata of X Japan


Yes, I know. I've heard the lame jokes that his stage name resembles a Malaysian/Singapore typical traditional breakfast set.

That aside, as much as Hide was my ultimate favourite in X Japan, I believe poor Pata was always behind the scenes cushioning them to success. His melancholic and moody presence always made him easily forgettable.

Not I.

Pata, in all his moodiness, always carried a massive amount of emotional baggage in his guitar. The guitar solo harmonies would not have sounded so beautiful if not for Pata's undying commitment to the band. His solo work, which deals with alot of acoustic solo playing, was mellow and a joy to hear on a rainy and cloudy day, so reminiscent yet forward-looking.

To many, he is just a person, but to me, he is an orchestra.


3. Matt Bellamy of MUSE


Woohoo! Just look at him! I have never heard anyone who have heard of Muse say that they suck. Never! Matt is the synonym of Talent. Raw, unbridled talent unleashed into world of music. His stage energy is comparable to that of a beast, and his guitar playing is out of this world!

Why isn't he in the top 100 guitarist list? You people blind or what? Don't count Starlight, cos we all know that's like, overrated by the rest of the world, but still? Plug in Baby? Stockholm Syndrome?

I tell you, this man is mad. If you have seen him, you will know what I mean. His massive use of effects largely define the Muse sound that eludes many even today. His creativity is that of a genius. Ingenius, really. His lyric writing, is fabulous and flowing like poetry in motion and he is a man of many talents. He even plays the piano, WELL! not like some half-past six dude, but Beethoven stuff! Alright, I'm exaggerating!



Most people tend to argue that Tom Morello (Rage against the Machine, Audioslave) was better guitarist than Matt. True enough, given that Matt largely tries to emulate Morello's sound and creative use of materials to get effects (electric screwdriver, etc.) However, as a musician, to me, Morello will never come close. Matt is an accomplished singer (he can sing REALLY high), guitarist, and pianist. I think I have said enough.


2. Die and Kaoru of Dir En Grey

I cannot decide who was better so I decided to put both of them down as tied!

To me, Dir en Grey's music was revolutionary. I have never heard something so intensely emotional and refreshing before. Although I must say I don't like their vomitty/scream filled songs. I prefer their slower songs and the occassional bitey ones.

The issues they tackle in song hardly involve love, a topic crucified by most bands. They tackle issues regarding the Japanese society like planned rapes, abortions, etc. The very taboo topics that people would prefer to sweep under the carpet. And they brought it out with such rile that it flows thick like tar.

Their sound is very unique. Kaoru (above, blonde) always employs other-worldly sounds in his solos, e.g sitar. His guitar playing is very optmistic and repetitive, coupled sometimes with bouts of angry riffs. He tends to play out emotional songs with a slow hand and elongated notes that signify the wail of shattered feelings.

Die (above, redhead), on the other hand plays it out with raw, intense passion, his guitar work being very chordy and screechy, which I like and admire how much they could employ such originality in their playing.

These two guitarist also display fine acoustic playing, with songs like Undecided and Mushi, and a myriad of other songs, and it really goes to show the amount of heart they put into making their music. It is not just chords and words; but complex ideas transformed in sound delivered straightforward. No frills. Although their music now have altered toward appeasing the american public, which I could not come to terms with, their older songs still hold weight of all things essentially Japanese.


1. Brian May of Queen

My number one. Numero Uno. Brian May.

No one can rival him in the respect and awe that I have for this man you see here on the left. Remember it. His cheesy curls,overly large shirt and signature red guitar.

Brian May is just so refreshing to hear. His is one which I can say has a musical direction. His music with Queen were so diverse and unique, and till today I have never heard or seen anyone trying to emulate him and succeed in doing it.

I respect him not as an artiste. I respect him as a person. So humble is he in his success, and so devoted is he to his music and how it impacts his life and other people.
Brian May was knighted by the Queen, is now a Chancellor in Liverpool John Moore University, had an asteriod named after him, an accomplished physicist and scientist, and most of all, a great legend of a guitarist.

Brian made his guitar with his father from scratch. He never had the money to buy one, and now it is one of the most coveted in the entire world. No one could get his tone or sound .It was simply too unique. Till today, he uses the same humble guitar he so painstakingly made together with his dad (now deceased) and continues to touch people with his brilliant musical genious.

There you have it! My top ten.

Goal 2010 - Final Line - Up (for now)

Do note the words "for now", as Ai Ping would say, I always change my mind like that *snaps fingers* heh heh. With the exception of the guitars, I would say the rest is pretty much decided! Amps, effects and all. Now the wait begins. Long and cold wait..

Le Guitars!

ESP Phoenix II electric guitar

Rough Price - $4000SGD (inclusive shipping & hidden charges)

Let's see how you taunt me when I get my hands on your neck! I will definitely save up the money I need to import this in. By that time, hopefully they will release a whammy model? Unrivalled in class and desirability, my dream..

Attainability - 48%

I can only find this on a Russian ESP site. Now how obscure is that? Shipping will vaporize my pants.

ESP Ganesa IV - Kaoru Signature model

Rough Price - $2500SGD

Yesss... yet another ESP model! This is if I can't get my hands on the Phoenix II. I'm sorry but they meet all my petty demands so easily! And the demands come with a dear price.. I wish they had a less menacing colour though, maybe white? defnitely classy enough!Hearing Kaoru's sound reminds me of the days when I listened to Dir En Grey non-stop. Beautiful.

Attainability - 85%

Saw one such model at Davis Guitar recently. I wonder if they will bring this in? Very much think so.

Ovation Elite T Acoustic Guitar

Rough Price - $1300 SGD

This will be one of my definite purchases. It's either this or the Ibanez Artwood in my previous post. I won't doubt an Ovation sound (As Chui already tested and proven); and the on-board chromatic tuner and EQ is to die for!

Attainability - 100% Definite

City Music will never run out of stock of these, I believe. Defnitely getting an Ovation.

If I had Spare Cash....

Epiphone WildKat Semi-hollow Electric Guitar

Price - ?

Ah, the WildKat. I'm sorry, I just like the name! heh. I personally like the two P90 pickups and the Bigsby Vibrato. A semi-hollow guitar will always be on a league of its own; So if i can't deal with a ridiculously filthy Gretsch, then I'll just settle for ten notches lower on an Epiphone WildKaaaaaaat! BUT this is only I have struck the lottery or something. Not important for me to get one!

Fender Special Edition Spalted Maple HH Telecaster

Rough Price - $2000 SGD

Don't you agree that this thing is beautiful? I wonder why I'm not aiming for this. Maybe if my Phoenix and Ganesa is inattainable then I'll GAS for this seriously. The Spalted maple wood finish is a beauty. The humbuckers are pretty special too - Seymour Duncan Pearly Gates on the neck, and SD '59 Reverse Polarity at the bridge.

Eastwood Airline 2P DLX

Rough Price - $1200 SGD

I think this guitar looks very cute. Ai Ping and Ai En both think this looks like a toy! Tone wise, it can be tweaked to sound Gretsch-ey. They used to be made with a sort of material called Res-O-Glass (some sort of plastic?) and has a very glitzy unique tone to it. Popularised by Jack White of the White Stripes, I believe this one might be my potential!

Le Amplifiers!

Fender Champion 600 Vintage Tube Amp

Rough Price - $600 SGD

Fender amps, especially the vintage ones, sound really sweet clean. Add some crunch to it and I'm sure it'll be equally sweet! But on a heavy gain setting I'm not sure if it'll floor out. However, I think one can never go wrong with a tube amp. Sure its pricey, and changing the tubes inside the amps can prove much of a hassle, but tone wise, its there. One consideration thought - as a Softie from http://www.soft.com.sg/ commented; There are good solid-state amps, and shitty tube ones. But I don't think Fender can be associated with anything sounding/looking like shit.

Attainability - 100% definite

Swee Lee has stock of those! It's large enough to be left at home for practise, and small enough to lug around if I decide to perform in some cafe or something along those lines. Defnitely getting this once I have the money!

Vox DA5 Portable 5W amp

Rough Price - $140 SGD

The small Vox! It's really pretty tiny! Just slightly smaller than the Fender Champ 600, and good thing is its battery powered as well! A really useful little unit that has won the Platinum Award in the Guitar Player Magazine and scored high in Subversion's books (Subversion is a revered guru in the Singapore guitarist scene. His blog is much more interesting than mine really http://www.theguitaraddict.blogspot.com/) It has an onboard multi effects to die for as well, defnitely a MUST for me!

Attainability - 100% definite

City Music once again has stock of these!

Le Pedals/Stompbox/Effects!


Vox V847A Wah-Wah Pedal

Rough Price - $75 SGD (after sale)

I've always wanted a Wah-wah ever since I heard Jimi Hendrix and Hide of X Japan (think Rusty Nail). The distinct wail strikes a chord in any guitarists' hearts. Since a Dunlop Crybaby is ridiculously expensive, I might just settle for this first, since I can get it, like next month or something! If it works for Kaoru, it can work for me too!

Attainability - 100% guaranteed

Going to City Music end of the month to get it! Yessss!

Ibanez TS-9 Tubescreamer Pedal

Rough Price - $250 SGD

Top on my saving priority list. I have done research and I daresay I really need this to crank the overdrive! I would LOVE to get that sweet thick tone of this monster! Little needs to be said of this really. Every guitarist needs a tubescreamer.

Attainability - 100% definite

Davis Guitars has stock of these, just saw them last week!

Digitech DigiDelay

Rough Price - $250 SGD

I decided to want to get this after much consultation. The fellows at Soft had advised me to get this "bang-for-buck" pedal and labelled as more-than-above-average pedal for its value. Cool thing is that one can adjust the delay time and number of repeats you want! I can say, set the delay at 0.2 secs, 0.3 secs? HOW COOL IS THAT? -foams in the mouth.

Attainability - 58%

Unsure on where to get this. Again, shipping will take an arm away!

Moogerfooger Low Pass Filter

Price - ?

I don't know how this found its way here. Honest! I don't even know what's a low pass filter! But i think the name Moogerfooger sounds damn funny! HAHA! I'm going to replace certain expletives with moogerfooger. "Down, moogerfooger!" or "Someone shut that moogerfooger up!". Seriously, there's a reason why Kaoru has this. Can't be just the name , right?

Attainability - 20%

Where the moogerfooger heck am I going to get this?

Well I guess that about sums up my goal for 2010! A heck lot of good this will do to my nerves and pocket! Let's see, if I were to add these up it will cost me a total of what, 10 000 SGD or more? Ok, let's be realistic. I honestly think 8k should do the trick! But horrific waste of money, don't you think? Actually we don't need much fancy gadgets to achieve musical nirvana. A simple acoustic will do. But when GAS strikes, what can you do but to shrug and surrender your pocket?

Bye moogerfoogers!

My REAL dream

ESP Phoenix II

My dream. THE REAL DREAM. If I have 3000 fricking Euros now I would immediately ship this damn thing over. This doesn't even need contemplation.

Let's do up a checkboard shall we?

Ebony Fretboard - Yes
Slim neck - Yes

Firebird body - Yes

Jumbo frets - Yes

Floating Bridge - No

Versatile P-ups - Yes

Elegant Rating - 97%

Desire Rating - 100%

But then again, its always the price that stimulate your tear ducts. If I had a stable job, paying $2000 + a month, with wife and kids (wink wink); I would beat my chest and weep when I see the Phoenix.

Oh Phoenix, why art thou so elegant yet slippery? Why do you mock me with your white glossy majesty and

ebony sneer?

Should I save up for this? I wonder if its gone by the time I have money. Discontinued models are like frickin Pokemon Legendary Birds (even this bloody model is named after a legendary bird), you never know where might pop out one IN THE WORLD and whether your pokeBalls are large enough.(pardon the pun)

Now, on to more cheaper alternatives.

ESP Edwards Les Paul (left) and ESP Eclipse CTM FR (right)

I previously owned a very very undesirable Les Paul copy. And I thought it was holy grail when i first bought it. Crap.

Let's Run a checklist eh?

Edwards Les Paul - Ebony fretboard, Jumbo Frets, Gold Hardware complementing black finish, Seymour

Duncan Pickups, Pickguard.

Elegant Rating - 95%

Meets ALL specifications? No.

Desire rating - 95%

Honestly not too bad. Very affordable if i conscientiously save up now. $1500SGD

Eclipse Custom Floyd Rose - Ebony Fretboard, Extra Jumbo Frets, Black hardware, EMG pickups, Liscensed Floyd Rose Tremolo Bridge.

Elegant Rating - 89%

Meets ALL Specifications? Kinda. 98%?

Desire Rating - 85%

Wonder why I'm not too hot for this? I guess its the EMG pickups. They are active units that require batteries to operate. Although they give SUPERB shredding tones with the clarity of hearing each picked note, still not too sure if it sounds good in the clean setting.Plus, expensive too! 2600 Euros.

Bah! I guess at least I feel better now that I'm keeping my options open if the damned Phoenix eludes me!