Exclusive!Sen Goh:Singaporean classical guitar maker

Sen Goh with the first guitar he made.

Recently I had the pleasure of meeting Sen Goh, a fellow classical guitar enthusiast and guitar maker.

Sen was kind enough to reshape a saddle Kris Barnett had sent me for my guitar.

Sen did an excellent job, and the saddle now sits perfectly in its bridge.

I also played a guitar that Sen made. Sen has only made 1 classical guitar thus far, but I was very impressed with his budding instrument.

The instrument was powerful and responsive with a strong fundamental tone. It featured a spruce top with Torres-styled fan bracing in a Hauser plantilla shaped body. It was the best locally made classical guitar I have ever played. If you are a Singaporean classical guitar enthusiast, you have to try this instrument.

I’m very excited by this discovery and I’m anxious to try Sen’s future instruments.

Sen is a good guitarist and I’m sure his keen ear will help him in voicing future instruments.

He builds alone with no apprentices. He does not use much power tools. He builds almost everything by hand. He shapes and cuts almost everything, including the backs, sides and tops.

His skills as a luthier are still in its infancy. But if his first instrument is anything to go by, he will become an excellent guitar maker in no time. I will be watching this Singaporean guitar maker with great interest.

You can visit Sen’s website here.

Listen to Sen perform on the first guitar he made:

[audio:http://www.dedrickkoh.com/Music/ElTestamentDAmelia(SenGoh).mp3]

Performer: Sen Goh
Guitar: Sen Goh #1
Recorder: Zoom H2
Year of recording: 2010
Arranger: Miguel Llobert

Author: Dedrick Koh

Dedrick Koh is an acclaimed , fully-booked classical guitar teacher who teaches from his home studio at Sengkang. He has been teaching the classical guitar since 2006 and has successfully prepared students for ABRSM and Trinity exams and he holds a flawless 100% pass rate, and a 90% merit/distinction rate for his students. He was previously an instructor cum assistant conductor at Ngee Ann Polytechnic Strings under Alex Abisheganaden . Dedrick Koh is also a former public relations and communications specialist, having carved out a notable 10-year career in both the public and private sector. He has work for/on brands like Nanyang Polytechnic, Coca Cola, DHL, Nokia, Nestle, the Health Promotion Board, the Economic Development Board of Singapore and the President Challenge. He also also been featured in the Straits Time, the New Paper, and CNN.

4 Replies to “Exclusive!Sen Goh:Singaporean classical guitar maker”

  1. Hi Dedrick

    Interesting to know a Singaporean Luthier!

    Do you happen to have Sen’s e-mail? I like to contact him to see if he can make a guitar for me. I have interest to puchase one of his guitar.

    Thanks
    R. Phang

  2. Hi Raymond. I’ve sent you an e-mail. The classical guitar scene in Singapore is full of surprises!

    Stay tuned, I’m always on the lookout for interesting personalities to feature on my website.

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