World-Class Guitar Makers from Mojokerto,Indonesia

Who would have thought that a village in East Java is the site where world-class guitars made by several young man? But this is reality.

Miftachul Falaq, a civilian of Mojokerto, East Java, every day getting up at five in the morning. After bathing, praying and deliver his son to school, he waited for the arrival of his comrades at home to take a breakfast together.

They then gathered at the workshop that very very simple in the back of the house. The purpose? Creating something that seems impossible to do with equipment that is more very very simple again : a world-class guitar.

On top of a small table in the workshop, along with an ashtray full of cigarette butts, screws, screwdriver and other tools, lay a pile catalog renowned manufacturers such as Ibanez guitars, Fender and Gibson. You can just point to the desired model, price negotiations for a minute or two, and within three weeks or four your order is complete. 

I had the opportunity to try out an electric guitar that looks from a distance of about two meters are not different from the Fender Stratocaster, which is used Eric Clapton or Jeff Beck. By only using local amplifier guitar it worked out amazing sound .Falaq handy work can indeed be justified.  

It's amazing, and it all was made by six people with educational backgrounds that are not too great, but armed with talent and extraordinary perseverance.Falaq does have the expertise to create world-class guitar. About six years ago he worked at a guitar factory from Korea in Surabaya. There he not only earn a living but also absorb thoroughly the entire process of making musical instruments that. After 14 months there he felt ready to do the same thing but in a much smaller scale. 

After Falaq with his friends several times managed to make an adequate guitar, he decided to go into business. However Falaq need capital to buy equipment and other production facilities such as power saws and polishing the guitar body and others, of course. The land area of nearly 1000m2, where there are homes, still leaving a place to set up a simple workshop covering an area of 100m2. That's where Falaq and his colleagues started the long process of the guitar.

From the workshop which is now an area of approximately 200m2 to accommodate the formation of the guitar body, the room to try the guitar at the same time 'showroom', and painting and drying and polishing, produced about 40 guitars of various types within a month.

"My turnover of approximately USD 4,000 to 5,000 a month with a sizable gains after a cut of raw materials and energy," Falaq said.
"Did you want to improve your business to make it bigger?".I said.Then he says,"If I do that, I am no longer a producer of custom-made guitars.Precisely this is what I want, make guitars to order."
 
Last word he says before I leave,"If you are here next time, this room is going to have air conditioning".
Hahaha...I do belive it'll be fulfilled. 

Top 5 Indonesian Guitarist

1) Ian Antono

Ian Antono whose real name is "Joseph Antono Djojo" born in Malang, East Java, October 29, 1950. He is a musician and songwriter who is also a guitarist of legendary rock band "God Bless". This "Ian Antono" name began to attract attention because at that time the atmosphere of rock music in Indonesia, no one has started, God Bless who first pioneered. So automatically Ian also became the first guitarist rock flying in the path of Indonesia.


2) Eross Chandra

Eross Chandra usually called Eross was a man born in Yogyakarta, July 3, 1979 who is a musician who is a member of Indonesian music group "Sheila on 7". Eross plays as a guitarist of that band. Eross grown in family of music lovers. His mother was a singer, his grandfather's saxophone player, and his uncle adept at playing guitar. Since elementary school, Eross had known the music world because it is often accompanied her mother who exercise bands in the music studio in his house, Karangkajen, Yogyakarta. Eross very interested in the guitar and learn a musical instrument. The first guitar owned by Eross at the age of 14 years as a birthday present from his father.
In addition to Sheila on 7, now Eross is also busy with his new band project, Jagostu. However, he confirmed that his new music group would not disturb the integrity of "Sheila On 7" that raised his name.


 3) Abdee Negara

"Abdee Negara" born in Donggala, Central Sulawesi, June 28, 1968. Abdee is a guitarist, vocal supporters, songwriter and producer who is include one of senior person of musical industries in Indonesia. He is one of the Slank guitarist with another guitarist, Ridho. And they played with other national and international guitarists, one of which Paul Gilbert. Abdee also produced other Indonesian bands like Serieus. Since starting his musical career, Abdee always play and offer rock-blues style.





4) I Wayan Balawan

I Wayan Balawan born in Gianyar, Bali, September 9, 1973. Balawan known as Indonesia's top jazz musicians. He was a jazz guitarist who the name stuck and the more favored in Indonesia with guitar playing techniques "Tapping Touch Style". He also had music education in Australia, but first he majored in rock music rather than jazz. Today Balawan formed "Batuan Ethnic Fusion" band that carries the exploration of traditional Balinese music.



5) Dewa Budjana

I Dewa Gede Budjana or known by the name of "Dewa Budjana" born in West Sumba, East Nusa Tenggara, August 30, 1963. He is a member of music group "Gigi" and plays as a guitarist. Interests and talents Dewa Budjana on music, especially guitar, has been very dominant since he was still in elementary school in Klungkung Bali.
Small Bujana stole his Grandfather money to buy his first guitar. Since having a first guitar , Budjana no longer have the will to go to school.For him guitar is number one. At that time Budjana learning guitar playing techniques, and he was able to quickly learn advanced Deddy Dores song titled "Hilangnya Seorang Gadis". Now in addition to still active with Gigi, Budjana also undergo a solo career since 1997.

That's all ! Do you have any other version of the best guitarist?