Maybe it’s midlife crisis, though I am well over that. Return
to childhood? Perhaps.
At the beginning, it was just my Epiphone acoustic guitar needing
a preamp. With its passive pickup, the sound just does not come up well even when
plugged in an amplifier. It genuinely needs pre amplification. The best value
for money I saw was an ADI 21 by Behringer. It’s an Acoustic Amp Modeler/Direct
Recording Preamp/Direct Injection Box all rolled into one. It’s what I need.
And then I saw Mike’s amPlug2 from VOX. It’s what he uses
when practicing with his bass. I thought it would be a better choice, being
small and can easily fit into one’s pocket. When I told him about it, we both
got excited and I was already making plans of getting one the following weekend.
But the weekend seems so far out into the future. Sooner than I imagine, I found
myself at Audiophile in Alabang ready to purchase my very own amPlug, only to
find out the model I was after was not available. Undaunted, I continued on to other shops to check if they carry what I wanted. No joy in that. In fact the other music stores I visited never heard of an amPlug. I wonder why
they remain open.
It took several days for my frustration to ebb. But as if that
agony was not enough, I was also scouring the net for a guitar that would fit
the amPlug I was planning to buy. Supremo Natural from D&D Custom Guitars
looks the business. To think I only wanted a preamp for my Epiphone, now I
am planning to buy a whole different set of caboodle. I really went crazy last week.
And then this mid day encounter with Luk Yuen’s Spicy Beef Noodles. Yes, this fire starter of a noodle soup can shake one out of his
reverie. A few sip of this potent reddish concoction can bring one back to reality, as it did to me. Am happy to report that I am now a hundred percent back to my senses.
You see, what I have is an acoustic guitar. It does not need a mini amp but an honest to goodness acoustic amplifier, if my intention is to
cause havoc in our complex or to perform in venues like the SM Arena. On its
own it is already loud.
Mike’s bass guitar, on the other hand, needs an amplifier. The
only means to avoid a neighborhood uprising during his solo practice is to use
an amPlug connected to an earphone.
I never imagined things will go out of proportion. I am so
relieved I came out of this maelstrom without any purchase for if I did, it will, for a
long time, remind me I am several thousands of pesos poorer because I allowed
my brain to take a holiday.
Midlife crisis? Nah, something more bewildering.
