My recent Indonesia trip! What a journeys and I’m back!

[fair.child]

Guys,

Sorry I've been out for a long time. First of all, I apologize for folks who I haven't got a chance to reply. I'll try to reply all the email and messages from all of you! Thank you for your patience.

In the mean time, I want to share what I've been doing. So, numero uno, after a long time, blood, sweat and tears over 10 years, me and family had a chance to took long vacation (2 months). We spent time in Asia, Southeast Asia especially to enjoy different taste of food and perhaps having a plan for early retirement somewhere there in the future.

It was fun! However, I want to highlight my findings. I came to Indonesia just specifically to grabbed over my old equipment like TC G Major, BBE, Roland rack system, Mesa Rectifier, and three Ibanez guitars.

I was aiming to find out one of the greatest finding which is ADA MP-1 Classic. Yes! It's the classic, not just regular MP-1. It had multiple issues like Error 1 and 7 which the SRAM not able to loading and saving the presets, tube board issues, and low pass filter issues.







However, if you guys followed my Instagram, you can see that I've already solved the issue. Number 1 I solved it by changing the battery holder (CR2032) and replacing one of the resistor for the tube board at 180k rating. Also, I did change the transformer since originally it was 230V European plug.

Now, the MP-1 Classic works nicely and it's amazing. I did a throwback Tuesday with my trio and we played at small venue for 10 songs! All 80's and you name it. From Dokken to ZZ Top, we nailed it that night.

I think that's for now. The Ibanez story is coming up next! Stay tuned!

[Muadzin]

I'm confused. You came to Indonesia for fun, or to find stuff? And you did a gig there or back here with your new stuff?

My father was mixed race Indonesian. Born during the war under Japanese occupation, and migrated to the Netherlands in the 1950's.

[Bret608]

That's awesome! The MP-1 is a classic. That's cool that you were able to fix it. I'm guessing the tropical climate is not easy on your gear.

When I traveled in Indonesia in 2002, I noticed that musicians there are highly skilled at '80s covers! 

[fair.child]

I'm confused. You came to Indonesia for fun, or to find stuff? And you did a gig there or back here with your new stuff?

My father was mixed race Indonesian. Born during the war under Japanese occupation, and migrated to the Netherlands in the 1950's.

Oh nice to know you have Netherlands blood because I'm 23% Netherlands as well per Ancestry! Sorry for the confusion though.

Here's the clear up story: So, I decided to go on food trip in South east Asia and plus one on that we also planned to visit family in Indonesia. I used to live in Indonesia and I bought several equipment back in 2000's and I left it in Indonesia with friends and family. Now since, I went there I had a talk with my wife that I wanted to bring some my musical instruments back, including the MP-1. So, we did a 2 months vacation, 10 days Japan, Tokyo, 12 days in Singapore, and the rest of the days in Indonesia.

I had a blast and got a chance to enjoy some good shredding music there, and as well with the scenery. I think it was a great time with family and kids. To answer your question, it's kinda both for fun and to get my old stuff back. I didn't do any gig or any guitar playing instead more into donating my stuffs (Mesa Rectifier, Fender FM amp, Tech21 amp, and some pedals) to friends/school that I know in needs.


@Bret608
The only things that I brought back are the MP-1 Classic , 3 Ibanez guitars, ADA Microcab, and TC G Major. I got my PGM300 shrunk because of the temperature. However, back in San Diego, we have sunny weather and I think it's not that weather change in extreme level for the guitars.

[287m]

@fair.child

woah, where? Jakarta?

When I traveled in Indonesia in 2002, I noticed that musicians there are highly skilled at '80s covers! 

agree! 80's is golden (cover) era, almost as foundation too. And too many memories gig for that. hehe

and 90's, birth of some local legend. Ah, miss my childhood.

[fair.child]

@fair.child

woah, where? Jakarta?

When I traveled in Indonesia in 2002, I noticed that musicians there are highly skilled at '80s covers! 

agree! 80's is golden (cover) era, almost as foundation too. And too many memories gig for that. hehe

and 90's, birth of some local legend. Ah, miss my childhood.

Central Java, Solo, Semarang and Jogjakarta. Jakarta pfttt... it's hazardous, can't even breathe, reminds me of Beijing.

[Bret608]

I've only been to Bali so far...Jogjakarta and Solo are the ones I would want to see on Java; for Sumatra I'm interested in Padang, the Minangkabau highlands, etc. For 2020, we are going to Japan and hopefully things won't be too crazy with all the Olympic buildup. Anyway, glad to hear you enjoyed the trip!

[jjjimi84]

What an amazing opportunity to spend two months on vacation with your family! To top it all of you get to reconnect with some old flames!

I can't wait to hear and see those ibanez guitars

[Muadzin]

Oh nice to know you have Netherlands blood because I'm 23% Netherlands as well per Ancestry! Sorry for the confusion though.

No worries, it's been cleared up. And I'm still live here in the Netherlands. 1/4 Indonesian, and probably the only one in the family who doesn't look the part.

Here's the clear up story: So, I decided to go on food trip in South east Asia and plus one on that we also planned to visit family in Indonesia. I used to live in Indonesia and I bought several equipment back in 2000's and I left it in Indonesia with friends and family. Now since, I went there I had a talk with my wife that I wanted to bring some my musical instruments back, including the MP-1. So, we did a 2 months vacation, 10 days Japan, Tokyo, 12 days in Singapore, and the rest of the days in Indonesia.

I had a blast and got a chance to enjoy some good shredding music there, and as well with the scenery. I think it was a great time with family and kids. To answer your question, it's kinda both for fun and to get my old stuff back. I didn't do any gig or any guitar playing instead more into donating my stuffs (Mesa Rectifier, Fender FM amp, Tech21 amp, and some pedals) to friends/school that I know in needs.


@Bret608
The only things that I brought back are the MP-1 Classic , 3 Ibanez guitars, ADA Microcab, and TC G Major. I got my PGM300 shrunk because of the temperature. However, back in San Diego, we have sunny weather and I think it's not that weather change in extreme level for the guitars.

I'm amazed you left your gear there for that long. I'd go crazy being separated from it for that long. Even if at the time I didn't think of it that highly, over time it would grow into massive importance in my mind, just from not having it.

[pickdropper]

I'm confused. You came to Indonesia for fun, or to find stuff? And you did a gig there or back here with your new stuff?

My father was mixed race Indonesian. Born during the war under Japanese occupation, and migrated to the Netherlands in the 1950's.

Oh nice to know you have Netherlands blood because I'm 23% Netherlands as well per Ancestry! Sorry for the confusion though.

Here's the clear up story: So, I decided to go on food trip in South east Asia and plus one on that we also planned to visit family in Indonesia. I used to live in Indonesia and I bought several equipment back in 2000's and I left it in Indonesia with friends and family. Now since, I went there I had a talk with my wife that I wanted to bring some my musical instruments back, including the MP-1. So, we did a 2 months vacation, 10 days Japan, Tokyo, 12 days in Singapore, and the rest of the days in Indonesia.

I had a blast and got a chance to enjoy some good shredding music there, and as well with the scenery. I think it was a great time with family and kids. To answer your question, it's kinda both for fun and to get my old stuff back. I didn't do any gig or any guitar playing instead more into donating my stuffs (Mesa Rectifier, Fender FM amp, Tech21 amp, and some pedals) to friends/school that I know in needs.


@Bret608
The only things that I brought back are the MP-1 Classic , 3 Ibanez guitars, ADA Microcab, and TC G Major. I got my PGM300 shrunk because of the temperature. However, back in San Diego, we have sunny weather and I think it's not that weather change in extreme level for the guitars.

It seems that there's plenty of Netherlands blood on this board.  My father was born in Rotterdam. 

[287m]

Central Java, Solo, Semarang and Jogjakarta. Jakarta pfttt... it's hazardous, can't even breathe, reminds me of Beijing.

my newest home (for rent) in Jogja, near Kaliurang.

got culinary in Jogja and Solo? cause Semarang isnt much memorable food choice

agree, lil bro get sick in Jakarta, but better than when he in Riau. Smoke forest!

[fair.child]

I think as a States People, we should try go to Indonesia some time in your life. The dollar exchange rate is crazily amazing. I had a blast enjoying good food for $2 which equals to IDR 28k. Check the menu price below.



Below is the picture of how crowded the Chinese restaurant in Indonesia. I'm surprised that their customer service is completely nightmare. However, the food is amazing. They got pork chops, roasted duck, some dim sum, mixed ice, oh and yeah they have a yogurt mixed tea. Yes, yogurt mixed tea, sounds terrible but after I drink, it actually tastes nice. Crazy huh!?



Oh my God! I want to bring this back to States if I could. However, after It has been cooked, we only had a chance to finish the treat within two days. This pancake is very amazing. Has sweeten, salty, and coconut milky taste out of the pancake. Very well done and they only serve in two flavors which they are original (coconut milk) or chocolate (sprinkles). They start cooking usually at 3 AM in the morning, yes 3 AM in the morning and close the store at 10PM at night. Crazy busy and the main reason they start at 3AM because they want to catch the earliest flight within nearby airport in Solo, Central Java so by the time 6 AM in the morning, some business people love to enjoy it with a cup of tea or coffee. Very nice business approach and knowing people are hustling hard there.



Now, this one is my old PGM300 Ibanez. Shred machine. I left this guitar way too long. FYI, this is actually a counterfeit Ibanez which I got scammed however, I looked over the silver lining that the PGM300 has mahogany body and very nice sustain and all Dimarzio pickups. I replaced the Edge 3 (which is common in Indonesia) with Edge Pro and had setup with Fred @ Repair Zone, plus removed the fret sprouts. Now, it plays nicely. I can do all those Paul Gilbert licks all day long.



This is pretty self explanatory. We came vacation with 3 luggage and went back with more. Oh, I did disassemble the guitar and put them in the suitcase. I brought back total of 3 Ibanez's as I mentioned earlier. The rest of the bags are kids toys, some carry on, one surf board (oversized, not pictured), two duffel bags of scuba diving gears, and two 25" inch boxes (full of kids toys)

[fair.child]

@jjjimi84

Dan, you should plan your trip to Asia for your next vacation trip. Fly Singapore Airlines (SQ), and stay in Singapore airport to look over the waterfall. Changi airport does have waterfall inside the airport, Pokemon store/anime, and floor top garden. We were impressed by the latest development in Singapore and mainly spent time to hang around the airport for the first couple hours prior to arrival then went out explore the city. The best moment was I got a chance go to casino in Marina island and the wifey, kids, and had a maid (yes, a helper finally to support me and my wife to take care the kids) went to Universal studio. The casino is literally down stairs of the MRT nearby the Universal studio.

@pickdropper

Hail to the dutch mill!

[pickdropper]

@pickdropper

Hail to the dutch mill!

Haha.

On a side note, my grandfather actually spent some time in Jakarta.  Not quite a vacation as it was WWII and he was fighting with the Dutch-Indonesian army. 

[fair.child]

@pickdropper

Hail to the dutch mill!

Haha.

On a side note, my grandfather actually spent some time in Jakarta.  Not quite a vacation as it was WWII and he was fighting with the Dutch-Indonesian army.

Also, you know that Eddie Van Halen mom is Indonesian, don't you? His dad is Dutch, so yeah technically Eddie and Alex are half blood Asians.

http://www.indischhistorisch.nl/derde-pagina/amerindos-2/amerindos-eddie-and-alex-van-halen-indo-dutch-rockers/