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Barely two weeks before his July 20 birthday, Sparkle actor Rayver Cruz bought a rather pricey gift for himself: a custom Gibson Les Paul guitar.

In his Instagram post, he wrote: "Early birthday present to self."

In the world of guitar players, hobbyists, and collectors, a custom Les Paul is one of the "dream" guitars, a coveted piece that only a few can afford.

Yes, it's the kind of guitar that one has to save up for. It's a big deal.

In a message sent to GMANetwork.com, Rayver said that he got a "Wildwood Spec, 1957 reissue, true historic spec, custom shop, Les Paul Custom" model.

The Sparkle actor had been dreaming of getting his hands on this guitar for the longest time.

"Matagal ko na siyang ina-eye din, simula nung nahilig ako ulit ako sa instruments and sa paggi-gitara, pero kasi inuna ko muna 'yung guitar ni John Mayer, kasi idol ko siya," he said, referring to his Paul Reed Smith Silver Sky guitar, the six-string model that has been associated with John Mayer for years.

"And then sabi ko nga, bilang magbe-birthday naman ako, deserve ko naman ng isa pang classic na gitara na talagang kumbaga isa sa mga legends pagdating sa mga gitara."

And the price tag? While he was not keen to disclose how much he shelled out for it, Rayver could only give this answer: "six digits haha."

You might be wondering, why is a Les Paul guitar so expensive? As professional musician and content creator Max Rossell would say, "not only the shop would use premium grade [of wood], but also the closest to what was used in 1958... The custom shop is not only making a very high end guitar, they're also attempting to replicate a guitar that was made 64 years ago, and 64 years ago, manufacturing was very different."

Max believed that the only way to fully grasp its value (and understand why it's so expensive), one has to touch and feel the actual guitar.

Rayver could attest to this. The moment he saw and held his guitar for the first time, he was instantly smitten.

"Natuwa talaga ako, kasi iba pala talaga 'yung itsura niya in person, iba 'yung quality, iba 'yung weight, iba 'yung feel, parang akong may hawak na kumbaga muscle car sa kamay ko. And 'yung history kasi nung gitara kumbaga parang mafi-feel mo once na mahawakan mo siya. 'Yun talaga 'yung nagdala don e, 'yung history nung gitara.

"Sobrang in awe lang ako, para akong batang maliit na nakabili ng favorite toy sa wakas. Siyempre hard work and thank you sa GMA kasi dahil sa lahat ng blessings, nakuha ko na 'yung isa mga dream guitars ko."

How does his new toy compare with his other guitars?

"Lahat naman kasi ng gitara iba-iba. Depende naman sa music na ipe-play mo. Actually ngayon naniniwala na ako na hindi puwedeng isang gitara lang meron ka. Kasi nakakatawa di ba, sinasabi nating mga gitarista, 'Ano ba naman 'yan ang daming gitara.' Pero kasi, kaya naman pala madaming gitara e different genres of music, different guitars ang ginagamit kasi iba-iba ng tunog.

With a chuckle, he added, "Basta, ang saya lang po."

Julie Anne San Jose, his girlfriend and his constant singing partner in some of his cover videos, expressed her surprise and happiness for Rayver.

"Ghaaad you already so proud of you."

Rayver's brother, Rodjun couldn't help commenting, "Solid King."

Typecast band lead guitarist Pakoy Fletchero engaged the actor in some friendly, funny banter.

He commented, "Ang panget! Paki-tapon na lang sa XXX HV Dela Costa St Salcedo Village Makati," to which Rayver replied, "@pakoyfletchero hahahaha kuya paks my idol haha!"

Rayver cherishes his new guitar so much that he decided to name it after the most important woman in his life: his late mom Beth.

"Special 'yung guitar na to kasi 'pinangalan ko 'to after my mom. Beth ang tawag ko sa kanya."

In case you didn't know, Rayver lost his mother to pancreatic cancer in February 2019.

If you've been following Rayver and Rodjun's Instagram accounts, you'd see that the brothers would post about their beloved Mama on important family occasions such as Christmas Day, New Year, Easter, her birthday, and Mother's Day.

For the good-looking Cruz siblings, she was their "reyna."

It would be remembered that several days after his mother's passing, Rayver made a heartbreaking post on his Instagram:

"I miss my number one fan so much. Watch mo pa rin ako d'yan sa heaven ha mama.

"Alam kong simula ngayon kasama na kita kahit saan pa ako magpunta para gabayan ako my guardian angel.

"I love you mama. Always and forever."

Will this model be Rayver's last big guitar purchase? With a laugh, the young man could only give GMANetwork.com an honest answer.

"Mahirap magsalita nang tapos. Kasi unang beses nakuha ko 'yung first electric guitar ko, sabi ko di na ako kukuha, pero once na natututo ka na kasi or nagpo-progress 'yung skill mo, or pagka- dumating na yung panahon na nakakagawa ka na ng sarili mong kanta, and nakaka-jam mo na friends mo, especially my family na sobrang hilig sa jamming.

"Sa tingin ko hindi pa ito 'yung last, pero siguro, magte-training pa ako, magka-classes pa ako nang husto, para worth it naman 'yung mga guitar na in-i-invest-an ko. Kung may tina-target pa? Yes marami pa po, pero magagalit sa akin 'yung handler ko so ito na lang po muna."

HERE ARE THE REASONS WHY RAYVER CRUZ IS A MAN OF MANY TALENTS: