The Chosen One

Dude,

Many thanks for your comment. I agree with you that uni sucks. Probably the only chick I knew back then was the one who eventually became my wife!

Yeah, back when we were still in school, WL and I frequently talked about all the rock bands and things I read in mags, and things he saw on the net (back then I don’t have Internet at home). I remember he bought my first Dream Theater concert when he and his family were up at the city during school holidays. It was the videotape of Live in Budokan.

I feel blessed that I am surrounded with people like that, and of course, in the later part, SB which would eventually propel  me to greater heights. Look out for the chapter “Someone Wicked This Way Come” dedicated to you.

Till then, let’s continue the story of my pathetic guitar life…………

This little neighbourhood store we were talking about started opening its door for business not long after that. Since its inception, I was quite a frequent visitor. In that store as well, I had my first “real” trial of guitars. Other stores in the city will be extremely careful with a poor kid like me touching their products.

On one fine day in 2002– not like a perfect day, just like any normal day – after coming back from the campus, I suddenly thought: “Maybe it’s time I go get the electric guitar.”

Now, months before that, I had purchased a Fender Frontline. Although Fenders looked really tempting, the realities were all at the Squier pages.

I have tested several guitars in the store before that. The only affordable one was the Squier S-65.

What in the world is a Squier S-65?

At that time, I didn’t really care. It looks like an Gibson SG, it was black in colour and has 2 humbuckers. I was like “It’s an electric guitar and it cost less than USD200 (USD171 to be exact)… For God’s sake, what else do you want?”

As my study loan was used to finance this purchase. So, I got to be extremely prudent on how I spent it.

Having said that, all I could afford was a beginner level guitar, with agathis body and rosewood fingerboard, and a cheap non-padded Ibanez bag to go with it.

As budget was rather limited, I chose the Marshall MG15DFX as the sound projector. Still wish I could have gotten the 30 but that was more than good for me then.

Not forgetting, a Fender California Cable, gig ready 18 feet length. Don’t ask me why, but that was the only one they have.

All that and a very challenging ride home (all on my motorcycle) started it all.

I remember sitting in my room staring at the package (still in their) boxes for almost 15 minutes. Just couldn’t believe I finally got them.

Yes, I finally got it.

But being the protective guy I am, the package did not stay long with me in the city. I brought it home and only got access during weekends or longer semester break. Over the time, I practiced on WL’s Samick and his Yamaha acoustic FG 410.

I can't really recall much on the time I spent on it, except I did the whole Love Thing by Satch on it (not before 2 days of ear torture)....

It wasn’t until a year later, when I started working, the noise machines were brought up to stay with me.

The neck plate on the my Squier says “Squier by Fender. 20^th Anniversary. Freedom of Expression since 1982. You folks out there who laughed at me having a Squier, try to get one of it that has the nice engraved chrome neck plate at this point in time!!!