ABOUT US

Dejawu Guitars is founded around 2010 by friends and fellow guitar builders Wu Dongming from China and Derk Jan Lievers from The Netherlands. Together we build high-quality, hand carved, custom guitars using exclusively solid tone woods and traditional construction methods. Exclusive guitars with a heart and soul for players who value genuine craftsmanship and seek to own a truly unique instrument that will last for generations.

Derk Jan Lievers

I started playing and refurbishing old guitars as a teenager. Over the years, I expanded my knowledge while working for a Dutch retail chain and later on when I ran my own music store. Some 15 year ago, I decided to get back into the guitar business and hopped on a great adventure in China. I visited countless of guitar shows, workshops, factories, festivals, guitar shops all over the country. I was lucky enough to meet Dongming in which I found a highly skilled partner for a cooperation. At Dejawu Guitars I take care of the design of the guitars, assembly of electronics and hardware, quality control, finishing touches and sales.

Wu Dongming 吴东明

After I completed an apprenticeship as an instrument maker under the guidance of a famous Chinese classical instruments builder in the nineties, I started working for several well-known companies in Beijing. During this time, I built the first ever gypsy Jazz guitar produced in China. Over the years, I qualified myself in making violins and the building of arch-top guitars, semi-acoustic guitars and mandolins. When I met Derk Jan, I knew it would be a great opportunity to team up and share our skills and knowledge. At Dejawu Guitars I am in charge of all the woodwork, fretting, painting and lacquering.

MASTER BUILDER 高君

Jonathan Gogh

MASTER BUILDER 高君

Jonathan Gogh

Jonathan Gogh joined our team in 2022. His expertise lies with classical and acoustic guitars. He is not only a master guitar builder, but also gained a reputation as the "father of Chinese guitar fingerpicking". Jonathan began playing classical guitar in 1983. In the 90's he began to study fingerpicking guitar and went to the United States for further study. After three years of study, he returned to China to set up his own guitar studio. In 1997, he released a fingerpicking album called "the last steam locomotive". In 2002, he went back to the United States to learn more about guitar building and returned to China to start his own workshop.

金友梅 Jin Youmei

Is Dongming’s wife and plays a very important role in our team. Youmei is always there to assist with basically anything going on in the workshop. She has a very steady hand, for the fine finishing of the woodwork and she applies even the most delicate bindings. She also makes sure all our guitars get completely (hand) polished and leave the workshop with the nicest shine.

THE
TEAM

I am Derk Jan’s daughter. I have an MA degree in Asian Studies (specialization China), so my familiarity with the country and the language comes in handy every now and then. I also take care of all the Dejawu stuff that happens online (like our website, social media, blog etc.)
I am Dongming’s cousin and I have been working as a luthier in the workshop for quite some years now. I assist with basically anything that goes on in and around the workshop, and I am usually the one that drives everybody from A to B.
From the very beginning, I have been helping out team Dejawu with all kinds of stuff that needs to be arranged in China. I have lived in the US for some years so I can also function as a translator since the local dialects can be very tricky.
I come along for support to guitar shows, China visits, help out arranging lots of behind the scenes stuff. I am the one who makes sure we catch our flight on time and did forget to bring our passports.
I am Dongming’s brother. Like Youmei and Xiliang, I have been working as a luthier in the workshop for many years. I am helping out whenever needed.
Is Dongming’s son and currently works as a Chief Marketing Officer. Whenever needed, he supports Dejawu Guitars behind the scenes with his many years of experience in the e-commerce industry.