Our Team

In the late 2000s, guitar player and builder Derk Jan from The Netherlands embarks on a great adventure to China. On one of his trips, he is fortunate to meet WU Dongming. A highly skilled luthier who shares the same ambition: to build his own brand of exclusive boutique guitars. They decide to team up and share their skills and knowledge. Supported by their equally invested families, they have been making high-quality, hand carved, custom guitars (and great fun) ever since, under the brand name Dejawu Guitars.

Derk Jan Lievers

I began playing and refurbishing guitars as a teenager and later worked for a Dutch retail chain. In my early 20s, I ran my own music store for several years. Around 15 years ago, I embarked on a great adventure in China. During one of my trips, I was lucky to meet Dongming, with whom I found a highly skilled partner for cooperation. At Dejawu Guitars, I handle design, assembly of electronics and hardware, quality control, finishing touches, and sales.

WU Dongming 吴东明

After completing an apprenticeship as an instrument maker under the guidance of a renowned Chinese classical instrument builder in the 1990s, I began 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 trained in making violins and building archtop guitars, semi-acoustic guitars, and mandolins. At Dejawu Guitars, I am responsible for all the woodwork, fretting, painting, and lacquering.

JOnathan GOGH 高君

Jonathan Gogh joined our team in 2022. His expertise lies with playing and building classical and acoustic guitars. He is not only a master guitar builder, but also gained a reputation as the "father of Chinese guitar fingerpicking". Throughout his life, Jonathan has spent multiple years living in the USA. In 2002, he went back to the United States to learn more about guitar building and returned to China to start his own workshop.

JIN Youmei 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.