Overview
Every gear journey reflects time, perspective, and changing seasons. Two milestones define mine: 1991, when I first picked up the guitar, and 2020, when the pandemic unexpectedly led me to start a small guitar business. Through every high, low, and transition, I thank God for faithfully carrying me through the journey.
Today, my relationship with music is comfortable and unhurried. I consider myself an “okay guitarist” at best and spend most of my time doodling with guitars and basses at my home workstations in Singapore. Sonically, I know exactly what I want: raw, uncompressed, touch-sensitive tones that live between clean and natural breakup, with subtle, organic wobble and minimal processing.
Interestingly, my playing world and listening world rarely overlap. While I grew up on the synth-pop sounds of Modern Talking, my listening today leans heavily toward K-pop and contemporary Korean and Japanese artists, particularly aespa, Scandal, Davichi, ITZY, NMIXX, Babymonster, Yerin Baek, and Younha, while also embracing music that spans rock, indie, trip-hop, cinematic soundtracks, Mandopop, and acoustic singer-songwriters.
The Instruments: Faith, Joy, and Legacy
Every instrument here serves a purpose. Some are lifelong companions, some are creative tools, and a few are sacred pieces that I hope will outlive my own playing days.
A. The Legacy Pieces
These guitars are my emotional anchors and the instruments I intend to leave behind for my daughters.
- 1996 Gibson Custom Shop Historic Collection ’56 Les Paul Goldtop Reissue R6 “Regent” – My dream guitar and home to my favourite pickups: a pair of growling, dynamic P90s that perfectly capture the raw, uncompressed texture I love.
- 2017 Fender Haruna Telecaster “Lady” – My trusted HOME guitar. Her roots run deeper than expected and are forever intertwined with my admiration for Scandal.
- “Joy” – A Stratocaster in a yellowish finish with my ideal tones. The search continues. Until then, my 2022 Fender Custom Shop Empire 67 Stratocaster Relic temporarily fills this role.
- “Faith” – My future boutique workhorse from Pipe Dream Fretworks, currently taking shape through a special builder-player relationship. Updates will follow as her story unfolds.
B. Bass & Acoustic
- 2023 Müb Miezo 18″/5 “Enza” – A compact powerhouse built with the unmistakable “Maurizio factor.” She makes five strings feel effortless and anchors all my bass explorations.
- TYMA HB-400 “May” – Since I began my musical journey as an acoustic guitarist, an acoustic will always have a place in my home. After countless guitars have come and gone, this small and wonderfully resonant instrument remains.
C. The Spark
- 2025 AKAI MPK Mini IV “Mindy” – A lighthearted and collaborative companion that reminds me that making music can still be simple, playful, and free of rules.
When the gear journey eventually reaches its final horizon, I expect to strip the collection down to its essential core: four legacy electrics, one bass, and one acoustic.
The Amplification & Universal Workstation
My home playing revolves around three destinations, each serving a different purpose.
A. The Bedroom – Simple & Honest
A Fender Pro Junior IV paired with a Bugera PS1 Power Soak and the Third Man Hardware Triple Threat. This setup lets me push the little amp into its natural sweet-spot breakup with just enough slapback and grit while keeping the volume under control.
B. The Living Room Balcony – Versatile & Relaxed
A Phil Jones Bass X4C Nanobass handles bass duties and late-night headphone sessions, while a Laney Cub 8 offers warm, uncomplicated tube tones for any guitar that happens to be in hand.
C. The Quick Practice Station – Compact & Immediate
An Electro-Harmonix 15-Watt Howitzer driving an Orange PPC108 provides the simplest route from inspiration to playing. One switch, one cable, and I am ready to go.
Dorcas: The Universal Workstation
Connecting these destinations is my single, mobile pedal workstation: Dorcas.
Named after the biblical artisan known for her practical, hand-crafted resourcefulness, Dorcas was built to be:
- Dynamic – Adapting to electric, bass, acoustic, or MIDI duties.
- Omni-platform – A single workspace feeding any amplifier or destination.
- Resourceful – Built from a used shell, flat ribbon cables, and a sentimental gift box.
- Chameleon – Effortlessly changing its tonal identity.
- Agile – Rolling smoothly from bedroom to balcony.
- Self-contained – Fully wired, isolated, and ready to go.
Housed in a heavily sticker-bombed Joyo hard case, Dorcas is organised into three zones.
The Core Signal Chain
The permanent six-pedal chain is powered by a Mosky MPT-10 and wired with Ernie Ball flat ribbon patch cables.
Front End
- JHS Legends of Fuzz Bender
- ThorpyFX Team Medic
Atmospheric Deck
- Danelectro Cool Cat Tremolo
- H.B.E. Mimic Mock I
- Black Country Customs Secret Path
- TC Electronic Infinite Sample Sustainer
The Utility Hub
Supporting units that remain outside the main signal chain until needed:
- BOSS RC-10R Rhythm Loop Station
- Valeton GP-5 Multi-Effects
- Mosky Beta Ultra Preamp
The Wildcard Bay
A dedicated hot-swap space for additional pedals and specialised sessions.
Welcomed Guests
Monitoring & Portable
- Positive Grid Spark GO
- Orange Crush Mini
Alternative Dirt & Textures
- Electro-Harmonix Big Muff Pi
- Electro-Harmonix Crayon
- VOX Straight 6 Overdrive
- VOX Cooltron Bulldog Distortion
From the first chords of 1991 to today’s highly optimised mobile ecosystem, the gear has changed, but the goal remains the same: keeping a simple, honest, and deeply personal connection to music.