Did you know that the strumming of strings that take millions of fans of Phil Collen of Def Leppard and Adrian Smith of Iron Maiden to dizzying heights of musical ecstasy, have an Indian connection? What”s more, you will soon find these strings at a shop near you.

Chennai-based Harmony Musical Instruments, which has been manufacturing electric guitars for US-based Fender Musical Instruments, will introduce Jackson and Squier brand guitars to the domestic market, with the same quality and at better prices.

Harmony, part of the Shriram group, is introducing its new electric guitar brands — Magica, Rage and Tansen. “We are in the process of identifying dealers across the country, especially in the north-eastern states, Mumbai, Goa and Bangalore”, said Ramani Swamy, director of the company.

By the end of this year, the guitars will be in the market. Harmony initially plans to sell 500 units per month, which can be scaled up as per demand, Swamy said. The Indian market has a requirement of around 2.5 lakh acoustic as well as electric guitars per annum.

“We can retail an entry-level electric guitar with the same quality, finish and hardware like the one we make for Fender at Rs 5,500. The imported Fender guitar costs Rs 7,000 in the market now,” Swamy added.

Harmony”s 33,000 sq ft facility at the export processing zone in the city at present produces 3,000 units per month, of which the majority goes to Fender, said Abraham Pius, general manager of the company.

Harmony supplies the Jackson brand as well as exclusive models of Squier brand Stratocaster and Telecaster guitars for Fender. Almost 15 per cent of the production of high-end Jackson X series is also being shifted to Harmony from Japan.

The company also supplies electric guitars to US-based Phantom Guitars and harmonica components to Suzuki Musical Instruments in Japan. About 90 per cent of its products go to the US and Europe and the rest to countries like Singapore, Malaysia, Australia, Thailand and Brazil.

The company plans to achieve production capacity of 5,000 units per month by mid-2010. It is adding 6,000 sq ft area to its present manufacturing facility to facilitate production of these volumes, Pius said.