getting my guitar freak on

My internal axeman (sleng for guitarist, for the uninitiated) level is enjoying an all-time high these days, some because of Broken's revival, but more because of my newly found guitar brother, Mark of the band ALAB.

I'm feeling very happy with my Rockstar acoustic guitar right now, I got that last Christmas for a bargain Php5k at Sta. Mesa. For all you who want a gig guitar that is bang-for-the-freaking-buck, this is it. It has a 3-band saddle EQ, although I suspect that the bridge pick-up is not the ceramic type on the bridge that most guitar enthusiasts like. It also has a digital chroma tuner, a very big convenience for strummers like me. Believe me, the relief of not having to plug in to a tuner is very much welcome. Did I tell you it also has the balanced XLR output? Well it does, so you can plug in direct to an XLR mic cord direct to mixer. It makes for cleaner sounds, and better recording captures, too. If any of you want word on where to get a bargain for this type of guitar, email me. [johnhofilena{at}gmail{dot}com]

It may turn out to be just a whim, but I'm seeing the need (sound-wise, that is) for me to turn to an electric guitar sometimes, especially during sets that include anthem-sounding United songs, ones that sound just a tad bit lame with just one electric guitar crunching it. More on this later...

Don't be fooled though, I'm still in love with the acoustic guitar, more now than ever. So it got me dreaming again. And to this dream, there are levels.



First, there's the "Reachable, possibly.":


There only a couple of names that I respect when it comes to guitars, Ibanez is one of them. This model is the AEG8E, I named it "the one that called my name." I saw this at that Audiophile shop in Makati Cinema Square, and it has haunted me ever since. Nice black finish, all the Ibanez bells and whistles. I tested this out on their JBL mixer and output, she was a dream. She retails for Php10k. With a little bit more pushing, this can probably happen, although the bebe would probably throw a conniption. Well, I can dream, can't I?


Almost exactly alike, and possible with a little more "ooomph" and "dream" to them are these models: AEG10E (Php14k) and the AEL10E (Php15k). Clickity-click on them linkies.



I'm scanning the horizon right now for 2nd hand units of these, might be able to get any of these at lower cost. If any of you have word, do tell me, I beg of you.

Then, there's the "It may take a while.":

As I've told you a couple of paragraphs back, I'm actually thinking of going electric. Again, I'm not an electric guitar guy by choice, I just feel the itch. So maybe a Fender Squier Standard Telecaster ought to do the trick. Not too many bells and whistles, but definitely still a classic. One single coil and one hot thin humbucker - two choices, you takes your picks and then you finds your own voice. Not too shabby, I think.

This one retails at Yupangco-Yamaha-Perfect Pitch (did you know that they're owned by the same guy?) for Php18k. But then you don't just pick up an electric guitar and play it. With the demands of todays modern music (even in P&W), you have to have a digital FX box ready to match the guitar and give you the sound and details you need. Most of the people I know right now are going analog (Boss and digitech stompboxes, etc.), but with the eclectic sounds that I may need, I figure a digital multi-FX processor would be better for me.

There are a LOT of digital fx boxes out there, but of the current ones, I like the Zoom G2.1u for its portability, ease of use, and overall full sound on any module you may want. Before last year's generation of multiFX processors, any one of them would have a problem - some would have hard-hitting distortions and overdrives, but would be weak in the subtle delays and reverbs, or vice-versa. ZOOM especially had a problem with this, but they've solved the problem, appparently. This retails at various stores for around Php7500-8k. Plus all other accessories (gig bag, cords, strap, power gadgets), this electric guitar whim of mine will cost me near Php30k. (breathe bebe...)


And lastly, there's "Move heaven and earth and this would STILL be near impossible, unless I win the lotto (which I don't play anyways).":

Why would anybody want a Taylor guitar anyways? Well, we could just leave that question be, OR we could ask John Mayer, or Jason Mraz, or James Taylor, or Vertical Horizon's Matt Scannel and Kieth Kane, or Jars of Clay's Matt Odmark, or Babyface, or those guys called Switchfoot... why the heck do they play a Taylor guitar?

Ladies and gents, I bring you, the Taylor Doyle Dykes Signature Model Black. Probably the sweetest guitar I ever would see.

I don't want to go on about the details, it'll only bring me more pain. Just click HERE.













Check out this beauty. ***sigh***



























This baby retails for Php226,000. This is where I'll stop dreaming, before it kills me.

If you guys know of guitar bargains that I could maybe look into, I'm ready for alternatives to the dreams. Meanwhile, my Rockstar will keep me going through these guitar times.


**sigh**