Guitar talk with the Prime Minister: inside RP alumnus Hazieq Nizam's repair shop visit

Prime Minister Lawrence Wong recently visited local guitar luthier Hazieq Nizam, known as Wax, at his guitar repair shop. Hazieq is a Diploma in Sonic Arts alumnus and the founder of Wax Guitar Services, where he diagnoses and fixes instruments on the spot to build genuine connections with his clients.

The talk quickly shifted to the finer points of guitar craft. PM Wong, a fellow musician with four decades of guitar experience, engaged Hazieq in a discussion on setup techniques, action heights and radius gauges. Their shared enthusiasm for the craft peaked when Hazieq showcased a custom electric guitar built entirely from native Singaporean timber, including Rain Tree, Angsana and Tembusu, demonstrating that local wood can rival traditional imported materials.

Hazieq's journey into luthiery began at RP, where an Instrument Design class sparked his interest in guitar repair at the age of 17. While pursuing his diploma, he honed his skills in audio production and received encouragement from his lecturers. A defining moment came when his lecturer, Mr James Lye, responded to a reflection journal entry about applying soldering skills to guitar repair with a simple but powerful message: "Just go for it."

Driven by that encouragement, Hazieq later used his National Service savings to fund an apprenticeship in acoustic guitar building in Malaysia, where he mastered complex restorations. Today, his shop provides maintenance, consultations and custom modifications.

Looking ahead, Hazieq plans to move to Michigan to study advanced luthiery and gain experience working in a guitar factory, with the long-term goal of launching Singapore-made guitars onto the global stage.

Hazieq's story began in an RP classroom. Yours could too. Find out how the Diploma in Sonic Arts nurtures the skills, confidence and connections to turn your passion into a profession.