Turning unwanted guitars into instruments of hope

Terence Chong restores guitars that are broken, neglected or considered beyond economical repair. (Andrea Edmonds @ FMT Lifestyle)KUALA LUMPUR: Most people would throw away a broken guitar without a second thought. But for Terence Chong, an unwanted instrument is an opportunity to change a life.Where others frown upon cracked wood and broken strings, he sees the chance to put music into the hands of someone who might never own a guitar.Since late 2024, Chong has repaired and restored 43 donated guitars before passing them on to orphanages, children’s homes, and even an Orang Asli community.Speaking with FMT Lifestyle, the 51-year-old said the initiative was inspired by a busker who approached him for help repairing his guitar.“When I told him the cost of repairing the guitar would be more than the guitar itself, he looked a little disappointed,” he recounted.“So I said, ‘Adik, just pass it to me.

You don’t have to pay me.’ He was so happy."Chong did more than repair the guitar free of charge - he also gave the busker an electric guitar from his own collection.Thanks to Chong, guitars once destined for the scrap heap can make music again. (Andrea Edmonds @ FMT Lifestyle)Seeing the busker’s reaction made him realise how much difference a simple act of kindness could make.Inspired, he posted online inviting people to donate guitars that were broken, neglected or considered beyond economical repair.Chong's goal was to give every unwanted guitar a second chance - and, in doing so, give someone else the opportunity to discover music.Responses came in within days. The first donation was an acoustic guitar with a broken bridge, the part that anchors the strings to the body.After spending several days repairing it, Chong donated the guitar to a children’s home in Petaling Jaya.

The reaction he received stayed with him.“They were so happy and said, ‘I’ve always wanted to play a guitar.’ The caretakers were also very touched to receive such a gift for the children."One of his most challenging restorations took about a month and involved repairing cracks, replacing frets and restoring paintwork. (Terence Chong pics)Still, not every guitar is an easy rescue. Chong said the most extensive repair he has undertaken involved an instrument so badly damaged, he likened it to a wrecked car.Repairing it took about a month, during which he fixed cracks, replaced frets and even r…