My "Unplugged" Dream

I have always had this dream of mine...as we move forward in our careers and working life and At the back of my mind...all of this will always have an ending... and eventually just like a boxer...one would have to hang his gloves to rest when the time has come and be that as it may...I am quite sure that I would bring myself to that point in time...someday..it will come for sure...and I will retire...from work...and sure enough I am not getting any younger these days...my body does aches from the abuse of my younger years...and when I Do come to that point I want to realize my "Unplugged" Dream of having my own "College Cafe Acoustic Bar or Lounge" and I foresee a set-up where during the daytime it could operate as a Restaurant/food house and during the evenings as a resto-bar...where I can hang out and I could bring along friends to Jam with or perform acoustic gigs, have open mike nights, enjoy a beer or two but most of all play acoustic music for he crowd... I envision it with a small stage in the corner just like one in the picture...and I am going to need a good pa system...a place where a room that will have great acoustics...a high chair with guitars on the side...I will have to make a great investment on the musical instruments and sound stage system that would be required to make a great plae for jamming ...a good amp that I have my eyes on is his Roland AC-60

AC-60: Acoustic Chorus Guitar Amplifier

Features

Although there are many acoustic amps on the market today, few of them can compete with the rich, natural tone of the compact AC-60 Acoustic Chorus amplifier. This innovative stereo amp uses sophisticated digital signal processing to deliver a crisp sound with lush stereo/multi-band chorus—including a new “wide” mode—plus delay/reverb and impressive Auto Anti-Feedback control. And with its 2-channel Mic/Line design and stand-mountable configuration, the AC-60 is clearly heads above the competition.

• Compact stereo acoustic amplifier with pure, natural tone and excellent projection
• 2-Channel design: Guitar input and Mic/Line input with Phantom Power
• Stereo 30-watt/dual 6.5-inch speaker configuration loud enough for club gigs and small PA applications
• Onboard DSP delivers lush stereo/multi-band chorus, newly developed “wide” chorus and delay/reverb with footswitch control
• Built-in Auto Anti-Feedback controls allow for maximum volume without feedback
• Convenient Mute switch for silent tuning on stage
• Stereo Line Out for PA and recording applications; Subwoofer output
• Built-in tilt stand offers better acoustic projection; can also be mounted on commercially available speaker stands

Acoustic guitars in guitar stands...along with an acoustic chorus amp...maybe put in a bass guitar and a beat box with it...amber lights...or stage lights...and a roomful of people enjoying good live acoustic music...

Another idea of mine is to acquire a fender passport for the PA system

Passport® Deluxe PD-250
The Passport PD-250 is the flagship model of the Passport product line. Featuring a 6 channel mixer, 250 Watt stereo power amp and specialized DSA speaker design, the PD-250 provides powerful and full sound in a portable and easy to use design. If it’s a coffee shop performance or for a company event, the PD-250 is great in any situation where quality sound is needed.

• Perfect for groups ranging from 300-500 people in size.
• Black luggage style molded case that protects the product during transportation from physical damage and the elements.
• 55 lbs.
• Six input mixer: Four mic/line Two mono/stereo
• Operates on AC or with Passport DC power accessories
• 250 watts (125 per channel) stereo
• Digital Reverb
• Proprietary DSA speaker design featuring two 5.5” woofers and dual arrayed 2.75” tweeters per cabinet.
• Two P-51 microphones (with mic clips, cables and individual carrying pouches)
• Two 20’ Speaker Cables
• Compatible with Passport wireless accessories

I would also like to have the Yamaha Stage Pas as an option to a Fender Passport........No matter where your music leads, Yamaha's new STAGEPAS™ 300 Portable PA system has the power and portability to go with you. It has all the power and high-quality sound you need to fill a small performance space, yet it is small and light enough to take wherever it is needed. Combining a built-in powered mixer and PA speakers, it's incredibly easy to use — you can be set up and playing in a matter of minutes! STAGEPAS™ 300 is the perfect road companion, providing powerful, reliable, convenient sound reinforcement for a wide variety of applications.

Great sound has never been so portable — and so easy to use. High quality, convenience, and power to go!

Or a Behringer PA system...

My GAS Attack!!! A Family Portrait

G.A.S.
Guitar Acquisition Syndrome.

I think I am undoubtedly but only mildly afflicted by it...and I probably have it...denying it doesn't do any good... I think it's cool to a certain degree...but who knows what I will do If I have the money for it?...well anyway....here is a family portrait...My oldest guitar...not necessarily my first one...I acquired sometime in 1990... It's been almost 20 years with me...I had it when I was still a bachelor and I could remember lugging this guitar with me when I was crooning some lady, jamming with my band, or just out in the corner hanging out and drinking with friends....Its an O.G. (Opon Guitar - not Ovation Guitar)...Opon guitars are one of the best made guitars in Cebu where I come from...in the Philippines...its in the Island of Mactan...I had an office mate who belongs to the Pangatungan Clan who are makers of Opon guitars...hey do have a guitar factory and I had this axe made to order with my specs...its a cut-away, acoustic steel stringed guitar...with jet-black glaze finish...the neck and body is made out of "Kamagong" as describe by my local Luthier "Eddie Pangatungan" . Since then on I always buy my guitars from Opon Guitars...'til this day... I have already re-painted this Old Guitar three times since I have had it o maintain the glossy look...and its moving from my hands now into my daughter's hands...this guitar also has a twin...I have it made and gave it away to my brother as a gift of music..."Kamagong" or ebony is a tree found only in the Philippines, the wood of which is extremely dense and hard, and famous for its dark color. It belongs to the ebony family like many other very hard woods is sometimes called "Ironwood " so called because its wood is iron-like and nearly unbreakable.


The next guitar that I got from Opon Guitars is a classical nylon beauty...its got the NT (natural) look and finish and the soundboard is made from Palo Tsina or "Spruce" wood...the finger board is made of "Kamagong" its got its own built in electronics...with an under saddle mounted pick-up ...I thought of buying this because I wanted it as a gift for my daughter when I wanted her to take up guitar which is why I went for the nylon strings because it would be easier to the touch and gentle on the fingers and the wide fingerboard is good for hand stretches and finger exercise...I also had another one made for another brother in Hong Kong...last I heard it was damaged but still could be repaired....but the irony of it all is that my daughter loved instead to play my old acoustic steel stringed guitar more than this nylon beauty...then one day...my daughter broke my old guitar's head stock which made me obviously angry...of how careless she is with instruments...I had to bring my old guitar to my luthier to have it fixed and repainted but during this visit....I bought my daughter her own acoustic steel stringed guitar to keep her away from my old guitar...I saw this charvel copy in his shop...its got an ovation head stock...quite a unique guitar in itself...it sounded good but it had some fret buzz which I later had it fixed...because of the lighter guage of strings used by the guitar...its got the chocolate and shiny glaze finish...but alas...the last I heard is that my daughter busted this one...but could still be repaired...when I go back in country I would bring this baby to my luthier and have it fix in no time...I wanted to teach my daughter the value of taking care of your instruments...How many times I have told her...playing your instruments doesn't end there ...after using them you have to clean them and wipe them...with care...these instruments gives us pleasure when we make music with them...you need maintenance care...because they will sound better for you if you take care of them just like your own family...and I reminded her that since you don't have any brothers or sisters please treat your musical instruments as your sibings....and that they are not mere toys

The next guitar I acquired is an electric guitar I bought from a japanese used "Ukay-ukay" store...where I found this beauty...its a Fernandes Japanese MIJ (Made in Japan) TEJ -(Telecaster-Japan Model)...It was on a display window with other discarded electronics from Japan...in this used japan gear shop near my home... Black satin finish Tele style body (alder/basswood?) with ivory coloured binding, all hardware is silver plated, 22 frets, solid top, volume, tone, 3-way selector (LP style switch), bridge and neck single coil passive pickups (FGI), standard tele fixed tailpiece, Gotoh tuners, Fender-style neck with Rosewood fingerboard and angled Fernandes style headstock. This guitar is pretty much the twang-fender sound of a telecaster...after I bought it I immediately worked on it and cleaned it and checked the electronics....although...being second hand it has its scratches and dings but the sound of the guitar is still great...its no ordinary guitar by itself and made in Japan an speak for itself...always has the quality that you can find with an instrument that goes with he electronics...To make the gear a little more girl-friendly for my daughter...I had added the Hello kitty stuff stickers in them....

I was originally a bass player in my first band...and once my special girl friend gave me this as a gift ...someime in 1983 ...I had a Gibson EB3 That was borrowed by my eldest brother but was never returned...I was told that a nephew of mine was playing it...I have lost track of his one and when I asked my brother...He told me its not there anymore or whatever...its gone now...
....I also had a Gibson SG way back then...but I also gave it to a budding player...the son of a fraternity brod of mine who was always borrowing this SG of mine until it was never returned...and I did not bother to look for it anymore as I feel that It has found a new owner and a legacy of music goes with this gift... It is even equipped with a bigsby tremolo bridge similar to this pictured here


I bought another cheap (MIC) made in China Bass guitar....its not really much of a bass guitar but it does what it is suppose to do and functions quite well...playing bass was always my rue love...I've always felt that a bass player is the coolest guy in the band...its a four stringed bass guitar set in a PJ configuration of its pick-ups and is quite fender like as you might say...I plan to modify this baby with EMG active pick-ups when I could...that cost would be around $200 but I haven't gone to this point yet as these pick-ups are available only in the US...wala pa akong budget...but this bass guitar is good and I have already gigged with it...I normally would use my DOD 250 overdrive as an effect to give this bass guitar more punch...and this sounds quite good with it...I have had this DOD with me since 1983...and its still does what it does best...rocks...that really gives a tube like sound...that over driven sound....

The next guitar I bought is again another electric on the behest of my daughter who really wants to get a hold of a Les Paul Copy and I relented to her request...and bought this premier Les Paul designed copy...(MIC-Made in China)...Its quite hard to get your hand on a real Les Paul in Cebu not unless you buy it from abroad...such as UK or US...but this copy is also a beauty in itself...quite obviously some modification of the pick-ups will really make it sound more better...fatter...this guitar has a fuller sound because of its humbuckers...doesn't sound like the twangy fenders which gives it a different tonality...Dimarzio humbuckers would really make this guitar rock...but until that day comes...this stock model will have to do...its finish is also quite elegant...as clearly shown by is bright and candy like finish...I left all my guitars to my daughter's care as I ended up with my Job Here in Qatar...bu the G.A.S. attack has not ended for me here in DOHA...

I bought myself this beauty...a Yamaha FX370 acoustic-electric guitar at Modern Home....its sleek and black as most of my guitars are...and I have also gigged with this guitar here in Qatar with some of my friends....I normally keep this in standard tuning for most of the time and I have also tested its electronics and it also has done quite well...is under saddle pick-up system gives it an electric sound more than acoustic ....this guitar keeps me company in most of my solitary days inside my room...during my spare moments this guitar also gives me the pleasure of experiencing the music that I have grown to love and cherish...being a music man is also one of the great ways of honing your musical skills, composing music, trying o play covers, learning and breaking down songs into parts and learning how it was made and the many different ways a song can be played in the guitar...which led me to study and learn open tunings and if you are into these stuff you'll need more than one guitar as I have experienced...for that led me to acquire this Yamaha F370 acoustic guitar which I bought second hand from a foreigner (Peruvian owner)...and I ordered a sound hole magnetic pick-up from the Philippines and attached it to this guitar and I have also gigged with this one...this is my alternative tuning guitar which I normally tune to open D and DADGAD, ...I'm also learning new songs that are played in this type of tuning...expanding my knowledge and skills as well as a skilled guitar player and my most recent acquisition is this Guitar... its an Ibanez SA120EX-BK Electric Guitar - mahogany body, 3-piece maple SA neck, 22 medium frets, rosewood fretboard, dot inlays, SAT Pro II bridge, Cosmo black hardware, AH5 humbucker (neck) & AH6 humbucker (bridge) pickups, Colour: Black...Thats G.A.S. for me...the rocker's guitar ... these instruments never cease to amaze me all the time...and I love the pursuit of improving your musical skills and guitar playing when ever you have the chance of doing so...but to learn guitar of any instrument for that matter ...you need to buy one and not only that you need to take good care of it while it is in your possession...these guitars serves no purpose without any body playing them...its like a discarded toy who loses its existence or purpose in life once nobody plays with it...it has a life once you play it...it has purpose once you strum it...pick it...play chords....sing with it...only then will it have a life of its own and you must protect and take care of them...an instrument of joy... the gift of music for your heart of Gold...