Ruan Kejie shows the location of resonance hole cavities in the instrument's base. Photos: Cai Xianmin/GT

By Du Qiongfang

From transistors and coils picked up from what other people have thrown away, to discarded wood and materials collected from a second-hand electronics market, 72-year-old Ruan Kejie has built eight electric guitars in the past three years. Every aspect of building the instrument is handled by Ruan, including drilling and polishing. The tools involved range from hand drills and files to hacksaws and even a kitchen knife. 

In contrast to most electric guitars that have to be held in the arms to be played, Ruan's guitar is based on the Hawaiian-style version, which is laid down on a table and played like a zither. A small steel slide is held in the left hand to press down on strings while the right hand does the plucking. His guitar actually combines two 6-string and 8-string guitars, forming a formidable 14-string instrument that can accommodate a vast spectrum of musical styles. To increase the range of pitch, he has creatively added what is called a pedal, designed by himself. The guitar is so light that it can be lifted with only one finger. "Most parents think it is more elegant to have their children play the piano rather than the guitar. However, the guitar that I designed aims to tell those parents that the guitar is also an instrument of elegance. And my guitars can be played by both children and old people," he said.

The retired electrical engineer has been fascinated with guitar-making since his youth. When he first heard the sound of a guitar on the radio, he was enchanted with the unique mixture of a classically structured instrument playing in a pop arena. In the 1950s, when Ruan was in high school, the electric guitar was still rare, but he collected all the materials that he could find from discarded items and an electronics market to build his own guitar single-handedly. However, he was not satisfied with his first guitar because of the poor quality of the wood.

In the 1960s, when Ruan began working, he successfully made a guitar through trial-and-error with loudspeakers and microphones he had collected. However, his guitar was mistaken for a telegram transmitter. Undeterred, he continued to make guitars, and gave his creations to friends. Unfortunately, none of Ruan's early guitars remain in his possession. 

Ruan did not completely retire until three years ago. While his granddaughter was playing piano at home, he began to feel the inspiration to build electric guitars again. "I think playing guitar is a much better outlet for children's energy. Moreover, there is a certain uniqueness to playing a flat guitar."

When making electric guitars, Ruan does his best with the material he can obtain. If the length of the wood is not sufficient, he splices two pieces of wood together. Even sawdust is used to fill in uneven surfaces. At the same time, Ruan is also fastidious about the materials that he uses, and is experimental with trying new objects on every part of the guitar. "I was inspired by the implement that farmers use to fluff cotton, and used the same material, actually made from ox's horns, for certain parts of the neck and bridge," said Ruan. To make improvements in sound, he takes pains to precisely measure the location of resonance hole cavities in the instrument's base. And to make playing easier for old people who have poor eyesight, he uses raised nail heads on the guitar's neck to help guide their fingers. "I also hope more old people can learn to play guitar to pass the time," said Ruan.

Ruan Kejie plays his handmade flat guitar. Photos: Cai Xianmin/GT

But Ruan does not encourage others to pursue his hobby. "In order to make a guitar, you need to have the skills of a carpenter and a machinist," he told the Global Times, adding that the process is actually a bit dangerous.  "When you drill holes in the wood, the intense heat produced by the friction will cause smoke, and there is even a risk of fire if someone is not careful." Another noteworthy danger is the pistol drill, which has a head with a diameter of three centimeters. "Accidents will happen if you do not do things properly," said Ruan, who used to work in a steel factory.

His avocation has also caused some discontent among family members. Ruan's wife, for one, finds it to be an excessively noisy pastime, and has actually forbidden her husband to pursue it on weekends. The guitars also take up space, currently amounting to several cabinets' worth. The home's wooden benches have become full of holes due to Ruan's drilling, and the sewing machine even fell into disrepair through frequent use. Ruan's son, in desperation, offered to buy a guitar for his father, but was promptly refused. "My son thinks it is too tiresome to make guitars. However, I do not make them in order to save or earn money. The cost of making a guitar is about 1,000 yuan ($154), and guitars sold in shops are about 1,600 yuan. Hence, I do not save a great deal by building them at home. But the making of guitars is a skill and requires particular knowledge," said Ruan, who likes to research and invent machines and devices.

Now he brings his guitars to get-togethers in his community and plays the music and songs to entertain friends and acquaintances. "I do not build guitars to make money. I just want to make the instrument familiar to more people and bring happiness to them," he said.