Congo’s self-taught guitarmaker caters to the stars

“First it was a chair that you were happy to sit on. After it died, I gave it a second life, and it will be resurrected,” he said, surrounded by jumble of broken and half-built guitars, and a fading picture of Congo’s late dictator Mobutu Sese Seko.

Guitar luthier Misoko Nzalayala Jean-Luther, alias Socklo, 61, works at his workshop in Kinshasa. (REUTERS/Justin Makangara)

For over 40 years the self-taught luthier has used a variety recycled materials and local hardwoods to create guitars that sing with the raw intensity of one of Africa’s musical meccas.

Socklo’s passion began in his village in Kikwit, southwestern Congo, in 1975, when he dismantled and copied a guitar a friend had given him.

“I didn’t measure anything… and when I played it, it began to collapse,” he said. “I was really disappointed by the result, but I kept trying.

“Three years later, he moved to Kinshasa, where he sold his first guitar to his cousin. “I couldn’t imagine that people in a city like Kinshasa could like a guitar like this. It gave me courage.”

He used negative feedback to improve his craft and finesse his designs. Soon there were fewer complaints, and local and international musicians were flocking to his tin shed.

Socklo presents a photo from the archives of one of the guitars made and exported abroad at his workshop in Kinshasa. (REUTERS/Justin Makangara)

Congolese music star Jupiter Bokondji loved Socklo’s sound, and asked him to go electric. The result, Jupiter said, is far more authentic than top guitar brands, which cost upwards of 20 times more.

“I have played it all over the world; everyone is amazed. To see that guitar doing what it does, the way it plays, it’s likea tornado,” Jupiter said.

Yarol Poupaud, a French guitarist who toured with rock-and-roll singer Johnny Hallyday for years, has bought four of Socklo’s creations.

“It has little imperfections; it’s not perfect, but that really makes the magic,” Poupaud said, strumming on a blue starburst guitar emblazoned with Congo’s flag.

📣 For more lifestyle news, follow us on Instagram | Twitter | Facebook and don’t miss out on the latest updates!

Curated For You

India vs South Africa 2nd ODI Highlights: Aiden Markram stars with a century as SA defeat IND by 4 wickets to level series at 1-1

Canadian border officer sues Indian govt, seeks $9 million in damages

Akshay Kumar-Priyanka Chopra’s relationship soured; I cut him from my film, says Suneel Darshan: ‘His mistake, why should she suffer?’