If "Smoke On The Water" don't make you want to learn the guitar, nothing will. My early influence was that man Ritchie Blackmore and I wish I could play like he could, but I can't. Instead I inherited his moodiness (only when I have a migraine and when I realize I can never play like him). I could hum all his solos though ... Dah da da, da da da dah .....

I have fond memories of when I placed a headphone over a classical guitar body and plugging the jack into the mic input of my music amplifier and whola.....got the first taste of amplified guitar playing back in 1976. Kids, although this is a neat trick, do not attempt it unless you are poor. I can't describe the feeling of playing "Hotel California" lead solo on this fake "electric" guitar except that it was difficult.

I progressed to spending countless of hours "catching" the chords of my favorite songs by figuring out their bass lines. And when I have hallucination that I am "Ritchie", I would figure out some of the solos too. Although some of the lyrics I figured out don't make sense because the singers like to slur occasionally, most of them are accurate, which is more than I can say for those rip off "Let It Be" song books. Finally writing the lyrics and chords down produced my own personal song books - three volumes to be exact. It would be cool if I can find them now.

By now, you might think I am "Ritchie" but sad to say, you were hallucinating. I very much regretted that I had no formal guitar training in my younger days. Without the learning aid that exist today (like guitar tablatures, backing jam tracks, training videos) and peer influence (my friends were into Bruce Lee -heeee yaah!), I had to resort to self learning, and judging by my standard, I didn't learn much. For a brief period a couple of years ago, I did enroll into a music school but alas when I could afford the lessons, I could not afford the time (excuses, excuses). But it did rekindle my passion and I am trying very hard to put in at least 30-45 minutes of regular practice. These days, I tend to play the acoustic guitar more as I am picking up "fingerstyle" but occasionally, I will plug in and contribute to noise pollution.

I have come to personally know some very good guitar players and I am fortunate to have watched them play. Where were they when I needed peer influence? If nothing else, they encourage and inspire me to be an accomplished player.

Ibanez gold Les Paul

The first guitar I owned is a Ibanez electric of a gold Les Paul model back in 1977. Until today, I am thankful to my mum who had to make a financial sacrifice because yours truly was a spoilt schooling teenager who did not have the $350 to buy his virgin guitar. This guitar will always remain special to me because it bears the original Ibanez logo that no longer exist, so in a way it makes mine a collector's item. Back then Ibanez was not a world famous brand yet. Except for some slight dents and chips (to be expected of a 23 year old guitar), this made-in-Japan instrument is still in good working condition right down to it's original knobs and pickups. The playability and sound of this piece of musical art is comparable to today's top guitar brands. Sorry, you can't try - you just have to take my word for it.

Ibanez Acoustic

My next guitar was a Ibanez acoustic six-string bought during my army days when I was earning my first salary (the pay was so lousy but so was guitar playing). This made-in-Japan Jumbo bodied guitar was my companion when I was compiling my own song books. My younger sis is now the owner of this treasured guitar as I progressed to semi-acoustics. Sorry no pix here.

Ovation Celebrity Deluxe

I would be lying if I told you that it was not the good looks of my Ovation Celebrity Deluxe that won me over one night in 1976. That and my tight budget. Surprisingly for an entry level made-in-Korea Ovation, it's playability surpasses even some top end guitars that are even double the price. I especially like the low action and thin neck which are common on electric guitars as I am a "soft" player. It has a unique all-mahogany "through neck" design with rosewood fingerboard. The laminated spruce top is designed for maximum flexibility and enhanced sound quality and volume. A one piece solid walnut "through bridge desigh eliminates the need for cumbersome bridge pins and result in increased volume. And of course there is the distinctive Ovation rosette with its trademarked leaf pattern design and the revolutionary deep bowl roundback, a mark of an Ovation.

Fender Richie Sambora

My Fender Signature Richie Sambora stratocaster was anything but a "used" guitar. It was in such a mint condition, that after one look and one caress, I bought it over from my ex-classmate in 1997 at a unbelievably good price, complete with hardcase. This made-in-USA beauty comes with the trademark "star" inlay and is fitted with original Floyd Rose tremolo system, which is uncommon on Fenders and a bonus for me. The craftsmanship and tone befits its huge original price tag. Surprisingly with a higher action, it was still easy to play and bends are easier to accomplish. My Fender stays in the hardcase most of the time and makes a guest appearance when I want to treat myself.

Yamaha APX10

When I had to sell my Yamaha reverse head stock electric guitar to make way for my Fender, little did I know I would come to own another Yamaha so soon that same year. While scouting for good bargains during a "by-invitation-only-moving-out" sale at Music Plaza in Suntec, I saw this lonely Yamaha APX-10 with a price tag that needed clarification that no typo error was made. With 90% off it's original price, I kept pinching myself all the way to the cashier. Yep, I wasn't dreaming. The sound of this semi-acoustic guitar is so loud and clear that even when I play it softly, all my mistakes can be heard, loud and clear.
I love it.

Guitars are something I never have enough of, may it be to look at, to listen to, to play with or to own. So next time you visit, don't be surprise to see another on my list. It just means I am poorer.

For real good acoustic guitars, check out Taylor Guitars