A great Tech that's kind of grouchy.

Dr.K

Dr.K

Formerly Active Member
So this is a little inspired from a post in the Amp room. I have access to a great guitar tech but he seems really snippy and grouchy. I think he does it just because he loves guitars, but I don't think he really likes people. He has some big dollar antique Gibsons and loans his collection out to museums. I know he doesn't need the money but does the tech stuff because he loves it. He not really an @$$hat just really rough and bold. I have not used him before as I just learn of him last year and haven't needed a tech until now. I think I'm going to use him but was wondering what you guys would do? Do you deal with people like that?
 
Re: A great Tech that's kind of grouchy.

Ah, psychology.......some people are grumpy from time to time, but someone who is that way all the time may well be using it as a way to seem superior.

If he comes over as the 'stern father', then generally he's trying to browbeat you into becoming the 'naughty child' in the relationship. So the key is be a 'calm rational adult' too from a behavior point of view. You're there to have a guitar fixed, not to get a lesson on life/behavior etc.

If he doesn't like the idea of being an equal then walk out
 
Re: A great Tech that's kind of grouchy.

if he does good work at a fair price
whats the problem?
I wouldn't care if he wore a dress

the ten min's I have to spend talking to him is irrelevant
 
Re: A great Tech that's kind of grouchy.

sounds like a local tech. i just pay no real attention to what he says other than yes i can do that or no, the total and when its ready.
 
Re: A great Tech that's kind of grouchy.

He may well be an absolute artist in his field. And any great artist will have a quirky personality. Signs of quirkiness can be a very good thing. Besides, who wants a tech saying "Oh good morning sir. Yes, i can do this for you just the way you want. yes, it will be affordable and ready on Wednesday. Do have a nice day sir" ?

The true artist will more likely grunt, be selective about who he works for, be generally abrasive and difficult and do superb work. He doesn't care about his clients, instead redirecting his caring towards his work. More than likely he will view you as an uninformed ingrate who is barely worthy of his skills, and will only take on your work because (in his mind) you have no idea and the only way for things to be made right is for him to work on your guitars. And more often than not, these curmudgeonly artisans are right.
 
Re: A great Tech that's kind of grouchy.

I'm sorry I totally disagree.

A talent is no excuse for a bad attitude and bad manners.

I don't care how good he is, if he doesn't treat you with the respect you deserve as a paying customer, F**k him.

He's in a customer service industry and should behave as such.

Look at it another way... suppose you're not happy with the work, how do you think he'll react to your complaint ????? :sword:

Find another luthier who knows how to treat another person properly and let this guy live out his lonely existence as it should be.
 
Re: A great Tech that's kind of grouchy.

crusty philtrum said:
He may well be an absolute artist in his field. And any great artist will have a quirky personality. Signs of quirkiness can be a very good thing. Besides, who wants a tech saying "Oh good morning sir. Yes, i can do this for you just the way you want. yes, it will be affordable and ready on Wednesday. Do have a nice day sir" ?

The true artist will more likely grunt, be selective about who he works for, be generally abrasive and difficult and do superb work. He doesn't care about his clients, instead redirecting his caring towards his work. More than likely he will view you as an uninformed ingrate who is barely worthy of his skills, and will only take on your work because (in his mind) you have no idea and the only way for things to be made right is for him to work on your guitars. And more often than not, these curmudgeonly artisans are right.
Click to expand...

Yeah I know these guys... They are the ones that will do it their way even when you've told them how you want it done cause their way is better.

Doesnt matter if they are good or if they are right. If I have a choice I'll skip dealing with them. Just cause someone is an artist or a little eccentric doesnt mean they have to lack social skills. If you cant even pretend to be nice I have no idea why you would get into a service industry anyways.
 
Re: A great Tech that's kind of grouchy.

If the work that he does is top notch, who cares how grouchy he is? You're not marrying the guy . . .
 
Re: A great Tech that's kind of grouchy.

wolf5150 said:
I'm sorry I totally disagree.

A talent is no excuse for a bad attitude and bad manners.

I don't care how good he is, if he doesn't treat you with the respect you deserve as a paying customer, F**k him.

He's in a customer service industry and should behave as such.

Look at it another way... suppose you're not happy with the work, how do you think he'll react to your complaint ????? :sword:

Find another luthier who knows how to treat another person properly and let this guy live out his lonely existence as it should be.
Click to expand...

I really wouldn't say he has bad manners, he's just really rough around the edges.

I have worried about not being happy about the work he does but......

GuitarStv said:
If the work that he does is top notch, who cares how grouchy he is? You're not marrying the guy . . .
Click to expand...

This was my first line of thought. Anytime I have talked to any of my friends about this guys work everyone says he's the best around and most guitarists around here know of the guy.
 
Re: A great Tech that's kind of grouchy.

Dr.K said:
This was my first line of thought. Anytime I have talked to any of my friends about this guys work everyone says he's the best around and most guitarists around here know of the guy.
Click to expand...

Although I prefer to deal with friendly people, think about this.

If you were flying to space in a space shuttle, and the final inspection and calibration were done either by NASA's best engineer who's a grumpy guy, or the engineer with the best jokes and smile, who would you go with? :)
 
Re: A great Tech that's kind of grouchy.

Gearjoneser said:
Although I prefer to deal with friendly people, think about this.

If you were flying to space in a space shuttle, and the final inspection and calibration were done either by NASA's best engineer who's a grumpy guy, or the engineer with the best jokes and smile, who would you go with? :)
Click to expand...

Thanks Joe, that really is the bottom line.
 
Re: A great Tech that's kind of grouchy.

The way I look at it, good techs are few and far in between. The one I use is a little stern sometimes but that's because he always has people lined out the door to have their gear worked on. Once you find someone that fixes it right the first time and treats your gear like it's his gear for a fair price, you won't care if he's a dick. Usually the people who suck are the ones who have bad personalities because they assume you know nothing when you could probably do a set up better than them.
 
Re: A great Tech that's kind of grouchy.

Uh, reminds me of Lord Valve. I actually went to his shop one time in the Denver area to see if he was as big a tool in person as he is on the phone. Seemed a bit nicer in person. Took me for a ride on some 5Y3 so I stopped using him for anything. Oops, I diverge.

If the tech is a d-bag, don't use him.
 
Re: A great Tech that's kind of grouchy.

Just take all of his grouchy reasons away. Find out what he likes and talk about that. you obviously have guitars in common but everybody has some other things they like. Make sure you explain how you like your guitar to play... and be strong sometimes they will talk you into they way they feel a guitar should be setup.
 
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