Of the trade
For the guitar, and how they make a living out of it.
of his jobs almost like the TV programme Kings Of Restoration: “I’ve had to do jobs where the price of the repair outweighed the cost of the instrument, but some people commission these repair and refurbishment jobs because of sentimental value. Nothing beats the feeling of seeing a satisfied customer reliving his past when I’ve restored a part of his history.”
Tan is philosophical about life and his surroundings. It is hard to put a finger on the meaning of life, but Tan is not far off discovering the truth.
“We have a purpose in life, which is to leave something meaningful behind for future generations. It’s about leaving a legacy behind, so that people can pick up where you left off and continue with it,” insists the meditation practitioner.
His interest in String theory (the building blocks of the world and how they function) and the resonance of the universe has enabled him to be at peace with himself and better understand the world he lives in.
Age-old conundrum
Age does not deter these repairmen from doing what they love best.
“The biggest problem at this point in life for me is eyesight. It is getting harder to see things clearly, but I’m still managing,” Seow owns up. Lee echoes his sentiment: “I have to wear glasses when I work now, which is a hassle. But I’ve been fortunate, I guess, because I can still do what I like.”
“If you live a simple and relatively stress-free life, and just go with the flow of things, the human body is capable of sustaining itself. Whatever happens, happens for a reason. So there’s no use fighting it, just do what is necessary to get by. When things are difficult, it may actually be a blessing in disguise,” Tan philosophises.
While it is never a pleasant thought, the three men are aware that they are approaching their twilight years and may need to pass on their knowledge for tradition to continue. For musicians who have sought their services, it is a scary thought not having these guys around.
Seow hopes his son, Li Tian, 26, will carry on the legacy. “I’ve been teaching him all I know, sharing the tricks of the trade. So, I hope there is a future in this,” he shares.
Lee’s son, Eugene, 31, is already knee-deep in the trade. While his father specialises in guitar repair, Eugene specialises in electronics – everything from the repair of amps to mixers and what not.
Tan is content to see his expertise passed on to individuals with the same level of interest and passion in the art. “The person has to have the same attitude as me. We must use intelligence to sustain this knowledge,” he insists.
Passion has brought Seow, Lee and Tan to where they are today. Judging from the gusto the three men display for their trade, it is not surprising that they are all looking at doing what they love best for years to come. Should their services be required, Seow can be contacted at 012-369 2077; Lee, 019-332 9011; and Tan, 013-706 0431.