 | |
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Musical instruments |
| Founded | 2004 [1] |
| Founder | Ho Zen Yong [2] |
| Headquarters | , |
| Products | Steel-string acoustic and classical guitars, ukuleles |
| Website | maestroguitars.com |
Maestro Guitars is a guitar manufacturing company based in Singapore. It is best known for creating custom-made acoustic guitars and ukuleles. The founder is Ho Zen Yong, a former Singapore Management University (SMU) graduate. [2] Their instruments are used by professional Italian musician Franco Morone and were also used by guitarist Paul Ponnudorai. [3]
History
The founder of Maestro Guitars, Ho Zen, started off learning how to fix guitars in his father’s piano shop. [4] In 2004, he improved his guitar-making skills by learning them from an English luthier Chris Horton, in Goa. He further understudied with the famed Ervin Somogyi in 2015 in bid to increase the responsiveness of his guitars. [2] Upon his return in 2006, Ho Zen started Maestro Guitars Singapore's workshop in Kaki Bukit. [2] [4]
The company's name, Maestro, was inspired by the Spanish word of the same spelling which translates to mean "master". In music, a "maestro" refers to someone who is a master in his art, especially a composer, conductor or music teacher.[ citation needed]
In 2015, Maestro Guitars launched two new acoustic guitar models and showcasing a few models from their Double Top Series and Island Series ukuleles at the NAMM Show. [5]
Company Profile
Maestro Guitars is best known for its custom-made guitars. The guitars are handcrafted in a 100% humidity controlled facility to ensure its stability and dependability. [6] They also use new technology such as the flame-resistant material, Nomex, to craft their guitars. [2] [7]
The company is presently looking to expand to Asian countries such as Hong Kong and Malaysia. Their products are also available in Australia, Belgium and France. [2]
The company works with various companies to provide materials for their custom-made guitars, such as Elixir Strings, Grover Musical Products and d'Addario.[ citation needed]
References
- ^ Our story on Maestro website, 13 Oct 2019
- ^ a b c d e f "Strumming to his own tune". The Straits Times. 2009.
- ^ "Made in S'pore, coveted abroad, shunned at home". The Straits Times. 28 March 2009.
- ^ a b "Handmade attraction". The Business Times. 2013.
- ^ "Homepage". Maestro Guitars.
- ^ "Maestro Guitars". Retrieved 2 December 2014.
- ^ "Double Top Series'". Maestro Guitars.
