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Guitar maintenance made affordable

o Penang-based luthier services instruments from across country at lower prices

The current store has been operating since 2016, although the business previously ran in Gelugor for about two years. Ishamudin said proper servicing involves far more than changing strings. He added that the process could include removing fungus and dirt, polishing fretboards and hardware, cleaning electronic components, and resetting alignment and intonation. He also said some metal parts are cleaned using ultrasonic cleaning equipment. He said even small details are able to affect sound quality, including worn frets, string type and how a guitar is held. “Sometimes people use clip-on tuners, but when the battery becomes weak, the reading becomes inaccurate.” Apart from repairs and upgrades, Ishamudin also hosts TikTok live sessions where he shares guitar maintenance tips and answers viewers’ questions. “I prefer guitar talk more than performing.” The workshop also offers music lessons conducted by instructors teaching guitar, bass and vocals. Ishamudin said many of today’s customers are hobbyists who play at home using backing tracks from YouTube rather than performing in bands. He added that more younger players are now using amp simulators and digital software instead of traditional amplifiers when practising at home. “Now you can plug directly into a computer or interface and get many different guitar sounds without using a real amplifier,” he said, adding that the method is especially convenient for recording and performances.

applies to both electric and acoustic guitars. He also said one of the more complex modifications involves installing tremolo systems and resetting the guitar afterwards, which could cost about RM450. However, Ishamudin said many beginners rush into upgrades simply because they want to “follow the trend and have similar setups”. “Often, they don’t know how to maintain it properly,” he said, referring to certain locking systems that prevent players from tuning guitars in the usual way after installation. “When the strings are locked, tuning adjustments must be done from below. Beginners sometimes don’t realise this.” Ishamudin first developed an interest in guitars at the age of 15 while studying at Sekolah Menengah Sungai Ara. He said at the time, students were exposed to practical subjects such as woodworking, electrical work and engine-related classes. “That was where I first learned to use tools. At first, I only wanted to make my own guitar more comfortable to play.” He added that although rock music was popular in the 1980s, he was more drawn to the technical side of guitars than performing. He later learnt repair and modification techniques from the late Din, who worked at Art Tune and was also a member of the band Crosstown. Over the years, Ishamudin refined his repair and modification skills before turning them into a full-time business. He also said musicians from Penang’s local scene, including Haider of Mutiara, have visited his workshop over the years for repairs and setup work.

Ű BY T.C KHOR newsdesk@thesundaily.com

GEORGE TOWN: Guitars from across Malaysia are making their way to a modest workshop in Sungai Dua where repairs and upgrades are carried out at nearly half the cost charged in Kuala Lumpur. Ardean Guitar Workshop Penang owner Ishamudin Ahmad Naina Merican, 53, handles everything from pickup replacements and tremolo system installations to full servicing and setup work. Customers from multiple states now routinely send their instruments by post for repairs, servicing and modifications. “A guitar service here typically costs about RM150 to RM180. In KL, it could be almost double.” He added that among the most common requests are pickup replacements, tremolo system modifications and tuning upgrades. He said many players begin with entry-level guitars before gradually upgrading their instruments instead of immediately buying expensive ones. “Many times, a mid-range guitar that costs about RM800 to RM1,000 is good enough. But with the right modifications, it could perform even better,” he said, adding that the price range

Ishamudin said musicians from Penang’s local scene, including Haider of Mutiara, have visited his workshop over the years for repairs and setup work. – MASRY CHE ANI/THESUN

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