Walk in and you are greeted by an assortment of musical instruments – from keyboards and guitars to traditional instruments such as the “sape” and “gambus”, as well as accessories like drumsticks, microphones and guitar picks.
Quite simply, it is any music lover’s idea of heaven.
Frankie Ch’ng is the amiable owner of the store that has been in business for nearly four decades. “We started in 1983, and it was a humble beginning as we only had a few instruments for sale then,” the 71-year-old tells FMT.
The shop was a passion project as Frankie used to be the keyboardist and vocalist for a local band, Milky Way, that was popular during the 1970s.
“It was my love for music that inspired me to start Syarikat Muzik Wah Lin,” he says.
At first, Frankie had to help his father, who was a goldsmith and owned a shop, and would work half the day at the goldsmith business and spend the other half at his own store. His wife, Lim Siew Eng, held down the fort when he was not around.
Over time, as the business grew, he began selling more instruments. Today, Syarikat Muzik Wah Lin also provides peripheral services such as audio, visual, and lighting systems, rental of instruments and gear for day functions, and the servicing of instruments.
At one point Frankie also opened what was Klang’s first jamming studio, where musicians could gather for informal performances.
“The initial response was very good but we had to close it in 1989 after more jamming studios began opening in Klang,” he reveals.
During FMT’s visit, Frankie brings out his prized possession: a limited-edition 1979 Fender Silver Anniversary Stratocaster electric guitar.
His wife Siew Eng says the guitar is part of a personal collection and is not for sale. And according to their son Douglas, 44, one of the things that makes the guitar special is its “seasoned” sound.
Douglas studied audio engineering and is in charge of the audio and lighting aspects of the business. He was 13 when he started helping his father at the store.
“I used to follow my dad when he performed with his band and I developed an interest in music, too,” he says.
“My father is more than a musician – he is also a technician and services instruments. I’m proud of him.”
Over the years, many of their customers have become their friends. Among them is Zulkifly Tony Abdullah, or Anton as he is known in the music scene, who was the keyboardist and frontman for a local band called Yellow Jackets.
“I’ve been buying instruments from Syarikat Muzik Wah Lin since the mid-1980s. They also handled the sound system for our performances,” shares Anton, 76.
“Over time we became very good friends, and I am grateful to Frankie and his family because they were always by our side when we needed their assistance.”
Nicholas Teh, former guitarist of local band Altered Frequency, says the Ch’ngs were their go-to persons when it came to the audio and lighting systems for their gigs.
“Our relationship with Frankie started in 2005 when we were still in secondary school. We used to perform at a lot of interschool rallies, and we always went to Frankie’s shop to buy equipment as well as service or repair our musical instruments,” says Teh, 41.
“Because we were students, we had a limited budget. Despite that, Frankie always provided what we needed. He was always very supportive of us.
“For Frankie, it wasn’t about making a profit,” Teh adds. “He just wanted to help the community.”
For more information, contact Syarikat Muzik Wah Lin at 012-2863889 (Frankie) or 012-3663889 (Douglas), or email [email protected].
Syarikat Muzik Wah Lin
5, Jalan Pulau Pinang 3,
Meru, 41050 Klang,
Selangor
Business hours:
10.30am-6pm (Mondays to Saturdays)
12pm-4pm (Sundays)