Tangwu: Li Qingsheng, a dedicated farmer in east China’s Shandong Province, has been balancing two contrasting professions for the past 16 years. During the active farming months, Li dedicates his mornings to managing his 0.13 hectares of land, cultivating wheat, corn, and vegetables. By mid-morning, he transitions to his role at a musical instrument factory in Tangwu Town, Changle County, in the city of Weifang, where he tunes electric guitars.
According to Namibia Press Agency, Li has worked in various musical instrument plants over the years, performing tasks such as assembly. Now a tuner at Changle Changyunda Musical Instrument Co., Ltd., the largest electric guitar manufacturer in the town, Li emphasizes the precision required in his job, noting that it demands acute eyesight and hearing. His efforts in this field allow him to earn up to 9,000 yuan (around 1,255 U.S. dollars) monthly.
Li’s experience is not unique in Tangwu, where many farmers like him have become proficient in crafting electric guitars without any formal music education. The transformative growth of the musical instrument industry in Tangwu has turned it into a hub for electric guitar manufacturing, earning the nickname “China’s guitar town.” The town now houses 108 companies producing musical instruments and related accessories, collectively manufacturing 2 million electric guitars and 5 million accessory sets annually, generating over 1 billion yuan in revenue each year.
The musical instrument industry in Tangwu, which began in the early 1970s, has become an essential livelihood for the town’s residents. Statistics from the local government indicate that out of the town’s 80,000 residents, more than 5,000 are employed in this industry. The town’s journey into musical instrument production began with the establishment of a plant in 1972, aiming to diversify Changle County’s economy. The sector gained momentum after 1978, and in 1993, a pivotal joint venture with the Republic of Korea led to the formation of Shandong Muse Musical Instrument Co., Ltd.
This joint venture facilitated specialized training for local workers in South Korea, creating a skilled workforce that later helped expand the industry. Zhang Jianjun, chairman of Changle Changyunda Musical Instrument Co., Ltd., learned from these trained professionals and started his company in 2012. His company has grown from fewer than 10 employees to over 130, with an annual production of nearly 200,000 electric guitars and sales reaching nearly 100 million yuan.
Tangwu’s infrastructure has evolved to support its burgeoning musical instrument industry. The establishment of the Changle zone of the China (Weifang) cross-border electronic commerce experimental zone provides centralized services for customs, tax, and logistics, aiding companies in their operations. Liu Guangqing, general manager of Changle Xinyun Musical Instrument Co., Ltd., highlights the benefits of export tax rebates and government assistance in recruitment and funding, which help his company export 20,000 electric guitars annually.
The town’s commitment to innovation and brand development has resulted in over 40 local brands and the acquisition of 35 patents. These efforts have elevated Tangwu’s electric guitars to international acclaim, reaching over 130 countries and regions worldwide.
Sang Haiqiang, county head of Changle, attributes Tangwu’s success to its advanced production technologies, skilled workforce, and a comprehensive musical instrument industrial chain, developed over more than 50 years.