Since acquiring the Taylor GSMC, I’ve enjoyed playing it and realized why I like it that much — it reminded me of playing songs via classical guitar (most classical guitars use cedar tops).  Been busy lately. Haven’t time to blog much. Will drop note later perhaps after the children camp coming up this week.

Today we sent WeiChee and family off to the field of Irian (West Papua). It is a joyful/sad occasion. Sad because our friends are leaving us for the Lord’s work; joyful because they are obeying God’s leading for their lives and we as a church were part of that journey; that process. We were obedient in sending them off to the Lord’s field.

Many of us arrived at the Budget Terminal about 2hrs prior to departure time. It was a casual and light occasion at that time. Kids ran around oblivious to the heavyheartedness of adults. Still it was fun watching them expend energy in the departure hall. Adults meanwhile, ‘loiter’ around in small groups having chit-chats. Some regular visitors turned up: MeiLeng, Angelia, as well as Jeff and Patricia. Stephanie came too.

When 16:00 hrs came, I asked Daniel to gather the folks for group picture. It was quite a breeze since the folks knew what they were supposed to do. Then came the difficult moment – to pray for the missionary family on behalf of the church. Difficult only because one can sense the sadness around.

Tears flowed as I prayed for the Lam family prior to their moving off to Departure gate. It was understandable. Inevitable I might add. The people of NTBC love them dearly. That is wonderful. I do wonder if it’s our turn, will they likewise?

As a side note, I was pleasantly surprised to see TzeCheh (aka Tracy) and Jasmine. Both are married with kids in tow. Both whom I have not seen since 1993 when we left SBBC. Frankly I missed them much though not expressed. I missed their ever positive outlook. The life of the party so to speak, in a positive manner. I missed their fervor. Sadly they are not attending church since the fiasco in ’93. only thing to do is to pray that the Lord will prompt their hearts to yearn for worship and communion with God and His saints.

Avalon S200

This is the Avalon S200 Gold Series guitar, a Grand Concert sized guitar, made in N Ireland by the same group which built Lowden guitars before their split up.  Wikipedia has a writeup on the Avalon company. Their website lists mainly current series at Avalon guitars. This S200 Gold series has been discontinued but still available through direct order with them.

Since I’ve not played an Irish-made guitar (owns a Hofner – German), so it’s a risk I’m taking to buy one actually.  But this used piece has a price that was too good to miss, so to speak.  Anyway, it was made in 2003.

It arrived this morning after 2 weeks on the road and in the air. I was a bit surprised that it looked small – almost similar to a classical guitar size. In my mind I was imagining the lower bout to be wider.  The Hiscox hard case that came with it was light weight compared to regular ones. Maybe that’s the difference between UK and US design HSC?  Somehow, the latches on the HSC reminds me of the latches that used to be found on school bags back when I was in primary school. 

Avalon Headstock

The strings were worn, so I restrung it with D’Addario EXP 11 (80/20 PB). I noticed that the action was low; the saddle likewise. Nut and saddle are Tusq; not bone material. Anyway, that’s factory default material. The guitar itself is in pristine condition; clear pickguard.

To tell the truth, I was quite disappointed at first – the smaller body.  Anyway, I didn’t want to let my initial “shock” prejudiced my assessment objectively.  After the new strings were installed, boy!

The volume was loud (No kidding) for a small body. My Taylor GSMC even paled in comparison!  I guess those S200 owners weren’t kidding about it.  It has a different sounding altogether.  It will hold up well if I were to sing solo and the finger-picking will come through though without pickups.  Because it now has 80/20 PB strings, perhaps that explains the tad brightness of tone. So perhaps with just PB strings, it brings the bass tones down to a mellower level. We’ll see.

Here’s what the Avalon website says about this body shape:

Concert: S Series

“The Avalon Concert models contradict their compact proportions by producing a rich and sumptuous tone. Their personality is quite distinctive: a cleanly focussed midrange complimented by sparkling trebles and strong bass response. This guitar’s inviting dimensions produce an imposing tone suitable for a wide range of musical styles. Powerful trebles are beautifully balanced by a compact warm bass register. The overall sound and projection are truly amazing for such a small guitar.”

Dimensions:

Lower bout – 370mm [14.57"]
Upper bout – 272mm [10.71"]
Waist – 233mm [9.173"]
Soundbox – 505mm
Length – 1010mm
Nut width – 44mm
Width 12th Fret – 56mm
Lacquer Finish: Acid Catalysed Nitro-Cellulose

Last Friday, Amanda wrote this to me, which i thought it was sweet.

Amanda's handwritten note

Then yesterday, after her phonics class, while at the supermarket, she told her mother that she wanted to give me a “treat.”  When asked why Papa deserves a treat, Amanda answered it’s because Papa takes care of her, and bought her books (I did last week).  My wife took opportunity to commend her on her sense of appreciation and thoughtfulness.  Told her that “you want to show Papa your appreciation” rather than “treat.”

It was heartwarming to hear this when my wife related it to me.  We’ve been trying to inculcate in her a sense of “gratitude-attitude” so it’s heartening to note of such things.

Taylor GSMC Headstock

Well, the Taylor GSMC (aka GS5) finally arrived today!  I was surprised as it is a public holiday and that DHL delivers.  Technically, it reached Singapore yesterday and cleared customs by noon.  No complaints.
It came in Taylor box and well packed and I’m impressed with the shipment delivered. I’m referring to the seller.

It’s as pictured in EBay though a tad disappointed that the strings were “dead” on arrival. Anyway, I took a new set of D’Addario 17 (PB med) and strung it.  It cost me 30 minutes plus some blood cos one of the treble strings poked into my left thumb. Ouch!

My wife said, “hmm… another guitar and someone complains about space shortage in his office.” 

Will update later with more pictures as well as initial impression. Meanwhile, here’s the guitar specifications:

* Type/Shape: 6-String GS  |* Back & Sides: Tropical American Mahogany |*Top: Western Red Cedar *Soundhole: Rosette Abalone |*Neck: Tropical American Mahogany |*Fretboard: Ebony with Binding |*Fretboard Inlay: Abalone Dots |*Headstock Overlay: Indian Rosewood |*Binding: Ivoroid |*Bridge: Ebony |*Nut & Saddle: Tusq |*Tuning Machines: Gold-plated Taylor Tuners |*Strings: Medium gauge |*Scale Length: 25 1/2 Inches |*Truss Rod: Adjustable |*Neck Width at Nut: 1 3/4 Inches |*Number of Frets: 20 |*Bracing: Standard II (Forward Shifted Pattern W/Relief Rout) |*Finish: Gloss | *Body Width: 16 ¼ inches | *Body Depth: 4 5/8 Inches |*Body Length: 20 Inches |*Overall Length: 41 Inches

Taylor GSMC - taken w/0 flash under fluroescent lighting

Today I won a bid on EBay for a Taylor GSMC 2006, which has been renamed as GS5 in 2008.  This is s Grand Symphony body.  This purchase meant 1) I now acceded and own a Taylor; 2) I now ventured beyond spruce top and rosewood back & side to own a cedar top/mahogany back & side guitar (My first cedar top was Takamine EN-15 which has been sold to Serbian prof from NTU).  I reckon it’ll arrive in about 10 days’ time assuming the seller gets on with his program. In fact it was a music shop in Kenosha, WI.

Yesterday while driving, I was listening to the radio when there was talk about nicest nasi lemak stall in Singapore.  Listeners were urged to sms their recommendations to the radio station.

Nasi Lemak is a Malay staple food that is easy to eat and tasty too. Easy because it was mainly rice cooked with coconut milk and pandan leaves; the hot sauce (here we say chili sauce) is called sambal.  Traditionally it has small fish — ikan kuning (literally, yellow fish), deep fried with ginger spices. Not forgetting a thin slice of fried egg.   As time passes, the Chinese begins to sell it; often adding fried chicken wings, fried fish cake, plus other stuff.  Being a traditionalist (maybe hardnose), I don’t eat food cooked by those outside of the ethnic group. By that I meant, if it’s Malay food, I must eat from Malay stall; if it’s Chinese food, only from the Chinese.  Not a segregationalist, I just feel that those outside cannot cook as well. I suppose I’m just plain stubborn. And why waste time trying out a Chinese cooked nasi lemak? I just go straight to the Malay stall and order it. period.

Somehow, a series of words conjure up memories of my childhood. When my three neighbors (3 brothers – Ah Hui; Ah Lek; Ah Leng) plus my elder brother and I would take a 2.5 hrs bus ride from our house in C’wealth Cresecent, Queenstown, to Changi Point.  Every Sunday morning, the 5 of us would take bus no. 2, eagerly aniticpating the sight and smell of Changi.  I think bus no 2 still ply the same route after all these years.

Being poor– we would save up our money to have just enough to pay for our bus fare (10 cents each way) and nasi lemak (20 cents).  The Malay boys from the nearby kampong at Changi would ply their trade along the beaches.  The highlight of the trip (after swimming) would be to eat that precious packet of nasi lemak.  It’s a heavenly joy for us kids.  By the way, we were just about 8 to 13 years of age.  My brother being the oldest and Ah Leng and I were both 8 years old.

We’d guard our money otherwise, not only does it mean we don’t get to savor nasi lemak; it’d be a long road back to Queenstown from Changi Point.  For some it might be very dreadful thing but for us kids back then, it was part of life.  I recall walking to Capitol Theater from Queenstown. Almost everywhere we went we walked. Why? No money, that’s why. We developed endurance anyway. When I got enlisted into the army. Road march was never an issue with me.

Came across the quote while reading Alan Redpath’s The Making of a Man of God, a study of the life of David.  I read this book back when I was a 16 year old and was greatly impacted by it.  Redpath writes:

The conversion of a soul is the miracle of a moment; the manufacture of a saint is the task of a lifetime.”

Last night, I came back late from Church because I had to speak with a couple who visited with us.  Amanda didn’t go to Church because she hasn’t yet fully recovered from recent flu.

I was pleasantly surprised to see a note with drawings on my laptop keyboard in the office.  It makes the heart warmed alright.

Amanda's Love Note to Papa

my wife told me that Amanda explained to her that the lines indicate her love for papa.  Her love goes through her to mine, so she said. How cute.   Makes my day, for sure.

Larrivee L-10

Yesterday, got a call from a young chap, asking about my L-10. Malcolm had told him about my intention to sell it. So we arrange to meet this morning.

He came with his father, albeit later than agreed.  Anyway, it turns out that his dad knew my brother (from the same church previously).  And he has seen me before when we visited their church sometime back. I didn’t ask anything further as the conversation kept getting disrupted here and there.

Anyway, the chap likes the guitar though he was thinking it came with a electronics pickup but was satisfied to know that Malcolm could install it for him easily.  He likes the setup, action and all. So the deal was completed pretty quickly (partly due to his dad being in a hurry to get to somewhere).

SO….. I’ve sold my Larrivee L-10 and hopefully, with D03-R soon to follow. This is the shortest time I’ve own a guitar.  Less than 3 months. Had it been L-09, I would not be thinking of selling at all.  Maybe I’ll get a L03-R.   I am thinking perhaps I could now get the Goodall Grand Concert…… since I strained my right shoulder muscle over a week ago, it was a pain to play dreadnought.  Just a thought.