Weifang Changyi: Small guitar fuels big 'ear' industry

Tangwu town in Changle county, Weifang, Shandong province produces one out of every three electric guitars worldwide. The town boasts 108 instrument enterprises, producing 2 million guitars and 5 million parts each year, accounting for 40 percent of China's and 30 percent of global production. These products are exported to over 130 countries, with annual revenue exceeding 1 billion yuan ($136.40 million).

A town of music

Tangwu town, with over 3,000 years of history, has a culture closely tied to music, symbolized by the "ear" radical in its name.

The town's instrument industry emerged in the 1970s, as it shifted from agriculture to music production. Foreign investments and Shandong Muse Musical Instruments in 1993 helped transition the town to electric guitar production. Today, Tangwu thrives with advanced technology and skilled workers, making electric guitars one of its key industries.

A variety of electric guitars are on display. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

From farmers to instrument workers

Many farmers in the town have transitioned into the instrument industry, handling every step in production, from cutting raw materials to tuning strings. Changle Changyunda Musical Instruments, the town's largest guitar company, operates three production lines, with tuner Li Qingsheng adjusting 200-300 guitars daily.

With no formal music education, many locals have honed their skills through hard work. Today, over 5,000 of the town's 80,000 residents work in the music industry, earning an average annual income of 80,000 yuan. Electric guitar production is a key income source for the town.

From OEM to local brands

Tangwu town's electric guitar industry has evolved from "OEM" to creating its own brands, with over 40 local brands, 35 patents, and 42 copyrights. Products are sold worldwide, including in Europe, the United States, Japan, and Australia. Custom electric guitars have become a trend, with prices ranging from a few hundred to 100,000 yuan. This transformation has boosted both global music enjoyment and the town's prosperity.

The personalized custom electric guitars produced by a local company are popular in overseas markets. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]