STRATOMARCO:Fixing one loose wire and another...

... and, no. It's not the "Frankenstein" operation just yet. =]

I'm a DS Lite owner, and many of my friends are consulting me regarding handheld stuff... since some say it was a bit odd that i chose such a system. It's a common reaction coming out from them, asking why did i choose a Nintendo DS over a nice and uberpowered Sony PSP and which should they choose if ever they'll be buying their own handheld. I always say that if they're looking for good game titles and great graphics, go for a PSP [they're all there]... if they're looking for something else to play, get a DS. Yes, i know that in terms of graphics i'd prefer a PSP, but the DS [though underpowered] provides us with innovative ideas of gameplay. I remember a good quote from one Gamefaqs forum member: "a great game doesn't require great graphics."

Same with my "Marco". Yes, now i'm talking about my 1.5-year old, 2nd-hand RJ-made Stratocaster guitar [sorry about that, i love to make intros]. The very first electric musical equipment that i could consider my own [aside from the fact that the money i paid for it was really for our Meralco bill ^^]. I chose a Strat over other available 2nd-hand guitar models sold online because of the Strat's versatility, and it was obviously cheaper. Though it was old and messy when i got to buy it already, i tried my best on restoring its face value [if you saw the "for sale" pics online it was truly a disaster]. I also brought it to my uncle to tune [hindi itonong "itono" a] the thing up and even asked on how to fix the internal parts so if ever i'll be having problems i can fix it on my own.

Well, the time has come for me to fix it.

It already has undergone 2 "operations" from tito Jimmy regarding its wiring. One was realigning the pickups, re-soldering and securing the wires, and the other was the disconnected ground from the bridge [thus the pure static from my September 15 perf, i told you it wasn't that 'crazy' mini-amp]. And recently i've got the same problem on its wiring--- i've got 2 disconnected wires [the ground and the main wire from the connector].

Although soldering wires with lead is but a piece of cake [thank God Diliman, i must admit], i needed to borrow Jeremiah's soldering iron... and a small piece of lead. =] It can't be helped, my bro's soldering tools were nowhere to be found. Anyway, i already fixed the guitar last monday night [yes, i'm proud i did it myself this time]... though it's not really as good as new since the main parts [the pots and switch] are either wasted or all-rusted up, thus affecting the sound output sometimes during play.

So, does this mean i need to buy a new guitar already? Good idea. =] But, naa~h. As long as things could be fixed, then there's no need for a guitar change. Not unless the body gets cracked open [well, the neck can always be replaced if it's broken]... as long as it's just the electric parts, it's easy. I love my Marco very much that even if i get a new guitar i'll still be using it for performance. I'll be saving some cash to buy some important parts [3 pots and a Strat switch] to bring back Marco's sound vitality. I think i should replace the wires, too. We kept on fixing the wires, i guess it'll come that i should be replacing it [Frankenstein, here i come!]. I won't be buying a new "faceplate + volume knob" set just yet, since it's not really necessarry [pampapogi lang naman yun, wag muna]. Though i'll be needing a tremolo bar pretty soon [mahirap i-bend ang trem ko by hand at nakakangawit din, and i'll need some pulling power para umabot sa higher octave na "E" yung bend ko sa dulong fret, though i'll need to practice it dahil mataas ang risk na maputol ang #1].

And if ever i'll be getting a new guitar, i'd still prefer a Strat over any better model [even if it's the 'expensive-yet-good-looking-best-toned-guitar-for-lead-but-getting-generic-already' Les Paul (no offense to LP users, well, the Strat itself is 'generic' BTW... especially in gig studios, though as i look at it, i could say that the Strat became a prototype of many models {or maybe it's just me}), and please do NOT offer me one].

WAG lang RAON Strat ah. o.O


... and, no. I can't fix your guitar. Sorry. ^^


* Good thing i got to know Marco's schematics, a lot of thanks to tito Jim for letting me know. Better than what i've learned myself in computer hardware manipulation, mostly by trial-and-error. ^^; Still, it's a good thing that i learned [alangya, Nido hehek].

Now... my nephew, Harvey, will be back here on May. He's got a 3.03-firmwared PSP to downgrade. That means i'll get ahold of a PSP for two months. 2 different handhelds. Lucky me. =]

It's getting hot, 'eh. Kapag nasa Abu Dhabi ka ng ganitong panahon, iiyak ka sa init. ^^

Sis, is Hongkong up on May? Buy me something when you get back. Just, don't buy a new CPU. One 512MB PC400 DDRAM [or higher, hehe] is all i need, which can be bought here.

The laptop can wait, so don't buy. =]