It’s About Time

No, it’s not another baby on the way.   After deliberating on the different brand of guitar, finally decided to pick up another Yamaha L series guitar. This time it’s the LL-16 (dreadnought).

The branch manager at Yamaha was willing to give it to me at staff price after getting to know her previously when I purchased the LJ-16 (medium-jumbo). It was quite a good price. Actually it was slightly cheaper than the LJ which was bought during Christmas sale.

Malcolm did the initial setup. I suppose I’ll change the present saddle and nut with bone material later when I change the strings.  For now, just enjoy the tone and then leave it in Church so that i don’t have to carry it to and fro especially on Wednesday and Sunday.

Made a trip to Ranking Sports and Music instrument store at Bras Basah Complex today.  I have been wanting to acquire a dreadnought to be used primarily in church but undecided about particular brand or model.  Having surfed the internet and EBay, and seen several Larrivee D-03 on sale, I’m thinking of bidding for it.  To be on the safe side, I should try Larrivee guitars that are available locally first. Thus the trip down town.

The store only has 5 models.  the 03 series and another two that are higher end.  I tried only the former models. I like the spritely sound of D-03 though the strings were highly oxidized.  One can only imagine the sound if newer strings were on it.  The downside is that all the 03 models are fitted with electronic pickups. I’m not a fan of that and didn’t want to pay extra bucks for something that I’m not going to use for a long time.  Since the store didn’t carry any rosewood dreadnought, thought I’d compromise and get this D-03.

Tested the pickup but it didn’t work. I suspect the 9volt battery was flat but can’t confirm since the sales guy claim he couldn’t change it but have to wait for the technician to do it (and he wasn’t due for work until afternoon).  I decided that it’d be good for them to check out the item and then call me since I reserve this guitar.

Good thing the sales guy also pointed out that the guitar has a slight cosmetic flaw – slight scratch on the surface.  Tried to bargain for a lower price but the female boss didn’t budge.  She finally conceded to the point of discussing the price after having the guitar tested.

The lady boss left for lunch subsequently and another guy (i presumed her husband) was at the counter. I asked if there’s another batch of Larrivee guitars coming with rosewood models. He answered brisquely that they don’t bring in one piece just for me and moreover they have yet to clear the current inventory.  I kept quiet though unhappy with the mindset, but whatever.

So I left for home but having two-minds about it yet I’m glad I finally get to try Larrivee guitars.  I would buy it given Malcolm’s recommendation as well as reviews from the internet.

By the time I got close to Amanda’s school I decided to call Ranking and canceled my reservation. Why? I can justify spedning extra dollars on B-band pickups I’m not going to use.  Maybe the guy’s answer didn’t go down well with me.

Anyway, I figured that it might still be cheaper to get it online and the total cost could still be lower than retail prices here. I’m pretty sure about that.

I don’t know much about my dad.  Most of what I know came from remarks by my older sisters and occasionally by my mother.  According to them, Dad was a principal in a school in Malaysia (don’t know if it’s primary or secondary level).

Prior to that he was from China, fled with his mother to Taiwan and subsequently to Singapore when the Japanese overran the respective countries.  My paternal grandmother died the day I was born having fallen down several days prior. Back to my dad – he was a resistant fighter against the Japanese in Malaya/Singapore in the early 40s during Japanese occupation.  His story somehow became muddled after that. Nobody really talks about it in my family except that he was flamboyant and often changes cars and watches.

He subsequently converted to Islam and logically was allowed to marry a second wife (actually I doubt if there was consent by my mother).  In my mind, it was a conversion of convenience after all, it made bigamy legal in the Malaysian govt eyes; besides being a Muslim meant easier access to job opportunities in Malaysia – after the Malays had a go first, I believe.  At least that was my impression.

He comes back to Singapore about fortnightly albeit juggling between two families who are in essence at odds due to envy as well as anger for obvious reasons.  We’ve never met all of our half-brothers or sisters. I remembered only one, that’s all.  I must say that my mother was quiet about the whole thing. Never ever have I seen her upset or depressed over this (if she did it never showed).  The whole marriage thing must have hurt her badly since my mother prior to her settling back to the role of homemaker, was also a teacher along with my dad.  The second wife was also a colleague and good friend of my mother (imagine the sense of betrayal!).  Nonetheless mother stoically soldiered on in life.

Dad was hardly home long. Only overnighters when he does come back. He never spent time getting to know us kids (maybe the older siblings).  My older brother Fred and I didn’t for sure.

I have only two or three recollection of my personal moments with dad. One was when he stayed overnight and the following morning, gave me a ride to school.  I was so overjoyed because dad brought me to school. We never spoke but that ride made my day.  I was only primary 2 (second-grade) at age of 7 ½ yrs.

The other memory I had was when I was 11.  we were playing football outside the flat along the corridor with neighbors, Ariff, Asli, Tee Kia, Fred, Ah Lek.  It was a noisy but fun affair when my dad who was home then, came out without warning and whacked my right arm (cos I was nearest to our door). That effectively ceased all activities as our friends retreated to their own homes and Fred quieted. I didn’t cry nor protest. Only smile in defiance essentially.

Another experience I recalled was when we received word from my uncle (Dad’s younger brother) that Dad has passed away after suffering from lung cancer.  We visited him only once at TTSH when he was ill. I didn’t know he was already suffering from cancer but I remember that he cried.  Anyway, my uncle told us that my dad’s second wife didn’t want us to know and had wanted to carry on with the funeral without the other children of his around.  My uncle couldn’t bear to do that so he came to inform us. We all went to the funeral and the woman was furious and hostile.  An old neighbor who used to live in Waterloo Street asked if we wanted to smash up the funeral (he was a gangster) later since such inconsiderate behavior by the woman was manifested towards us -especially my mother whom I was surprised that she was so cool, calm and collected.  While my older siblings wailed, my elder brother Fred and I didn’t.  We tried to pretend that we did but ended up laughing because it was so silly and pretentious.  Thankfully it didn’t incur the wrath of anybody.

I suppose in some ways I was angry with my dad.  he was absent from our lives while we were growing up. I used to think how nice it would be if dad was around to provide for us financially – he didn’t.  How much a difference it would make if he took interest in our education. He didn’t.  He was parent-in-absentia.

I never know what it’s like to ask dad for advice. He was never around long enough to know if I had one.  I never know what it is like to disagree with him for the same reason. But I remmeber wishing he was there for us but he didn’t.

We went through hardships but I guess you can say that it fortify us in different ways that was good for us. We can’t help not having dad around.  It’s not our fault. Perhaps he has tried but he didn’t have the energy to do so. Would others have forgiven him?

I know I wouldn’t to be like dad. He was absent.

I’m glad to have learned the guitar albeit not an expert but sufficient to enjoy the sound and able to sing along with the songs while playing it.  One of my blog entry ‘chronicled’ my acquisition journey in greater detail.  I’m listing the guitars for my own recollection of the guitars I’ve owned over the years. . . .

Congress -steel strings. (My sis Kathy bought as a reward for passing PSLE That got me started).
Congress – dreadnought (Bought with own savings during sec 3). Sold to my cousin who brought it home to JB.
Yamaha CG – classical guitar but can’t recall model [paid over $300 in '80]. Nice rosewood color. More importantly it was loud and solid sounding.  Really enjoy it but it was damaged by fellow youth in ‘81 during Sr Teens Camp on St John’s Island. Thankfully it didn’t affect sound  but aesthetic.  The fellow was my childhood friend; he didn’t offer to pay for it and I didn’t pursue either.
Yamaha FG512-II - 12 strings dreadnought. A gift from a friend in ‘81; Sold it on Jan 24 ‘09. Enjoyed playing on in recent years. Left it with Teck Leong for about 10 years because of studies in US.
Ibanez – handcrafted classical guitar [no idea about model no.]. Mom paid for it as a gift of sort.   Finishing rather bare but lovely sound. Traveled farthest with me across the continents and States. Used it extensively in IA.  Didn’t know anything about humidity’s effect on guitar.  The top had one hairline cracked due to extreme dryness in Wisconsin winter in ‘96.  Brought it to WY for church planting trip.  In the US, it has gone to IA, WI, WY, MN and finally TX. It was sold by proxy to Dallas seminary student with Amy Lau’s help while stuck back in Singapore and unable to return to DTS.
Ovation AE128 – shortest ownership of 2 weeks. First online purchase. Didn’t like it; did a trade-in at shop in Minnetonka, MN.
Hofner H-12 (that’s the trade-in). Top with USD$100. Nice German made classical guitar. Satin finish; mahogany side and back with solid spruce top. Brought it home to Singapore along with rest of shipment in 2001. Left it with my brother Fred. Might take it back sometime later.
Ovation Legend 1117. Bought it over EBay. First nice Ovation ever had. Brought it back to Singapore in 2001. Sold it in Aug 9 2008.
Ovation 1124-4. Bought via craiglist. Nice looking though felt thin sounding when strum. Nylon strings but has 14 frets instead of regular 12. Sold it in 2008 about 3 months later. Got good price for it.
Ovation Concert Classic 1116. Also via Craiglist. Deep bowl, nylon strings and richer sounding than previous model. Previous owner is a vet and apparently owns tv show related to veterinary. Still owning it. Listed it yesterday on AdPost. Not really serious in selling it but might consider it if somebody willing to pay listed price.
Ovation 1997 Collectors Edition. Parlor sized acoustic-electric guitar. Actually made mistake. Didn’t know it was acoustic but thought it was nylon string because headstock with slotted. Blur!  Bought it off Craiglist again from student from Purdue Univ. Nice sound but neck tad too narrow for my liking. Didn’t have the boom sound I need for playing in Sun school singing or Children Day’s Camp. Sold it off Dec ‘08.
Yamaha LJ-16. First all solid guitar. Medium jumbo. Bought it Dec 20 ‘08. Enjoying the sound. Was deliberating between an LL-16 and this LJ-16. I like the headstock design and body-shape. It began to sound delightful as time goes on.

I’ll probably get one more dreadnought to put in Church for regular use. Didn’t want to lug the Yamaha LJ-16 along every Sunday. It gets tiring after awhile.

UPDATE (March 27 2009).  Since then, I went ahead to get the Yamaha LL-16 from Yamaha Tampines. The manager was nice to give me a good price I must say.  Suffice to say, I left it in the church for regular use.

Last week, I collected a used but excellent condition Larrivee D-03R. It was upgraded with bone saddle plus nice Gotoh tuners.

UPDATE (July 1st 2009).  Sold the Ovation ‘97 Collectors’ Edition & Concert Classic 1116 to an Australian working locally in May.  Few days ago, bought a Larrivee L-10 from EBay and a Goodall Rosewood Standard from a deadbeat in AGF. The Goodall hadn’t arrived yet.

UPDATE (August 17 2009).  Sold my Yamaha LJ-16 and Takamine EN-15 about 2 weeks ago.  Now I’m down to Hofner, H-12; Yamaha LL-16; Larrivee D03-R; Larrivee L-10; Goodall Standard.

UPDATE (End August ‘09). Sold my Larrivee L-10 through Malcolm’s recommendation.  Don’t know why, but as with the Yamaha LJ-16, this L-10 was parted with tinge of sadness. I suppose I really do like the shape a lot….

UPDATE (Sept 13 ‘09). Won an EBay bid for Taylor GSMC.  It’s on the way even as I typed this update.  Same body shape as the LJ-16 & L-10.  Since I’ve not had a mahogany back and sides guitar before, thought I should give it a try. Besides I finally joined the Taylor community. Don’t know if I’ll also leave it as I did the Ovation……

UPDATE (Oct 2 ‘09). The Avalon S200 arrived at the doorstep today.