Must's for guitar techs

[Grandor]

I've been playing for about 3years now and have a respectable rig for someone my age (very respectable for someone my age in my town).

I've been offered lots of Teching gigs (guitar teching), I guess spending all this time here and on the other forums has transfered into a job!
- What is a MUST for a guitar tech to have/know?

expand from this:
- Good tuner
- 2x Spare 15ft leads
- 2x Spare patch leads
- Screwdriver
- Soldering Iron
- Lemon Oil
- Good Cleaning cloths
- Strings
- 4 Spare AA batteries

to know:
- Soldering
- Action adjustment
- Intonation
- Tube changing
- String Changing
- Guitar Cleaning

? throw me a bone

 

[dc_mally]

Re: Must's for guitar techs

trus rod adjustment!!

you should be able to replace parts like necks, probably be able to build a guitar from parts, if you want to be a good tech. you should be able to do anything with a guitar (hardware wise not playing).

well you shoukld be well above average, if you can only do the things evryone elce does anyway who needs a tech.

 

[big_black]

Re: Must's for guitar techs

Ya got a set of hex keys to go with that?

 

[big_black]

Re: Must's for guitar techs

Depending how many people you service, you may wat a small supply of caps and pots on hand, as well as some 20 guage wire.

 

[big_black]

Re: Must's for guitar techs

Oh yeah, and a multimeter might help too!

 

[Scott_F]

Re: Must's for guitar techs

If you're going to do a lot, get one of those little padded bench rests that support the neck while you're brewing up your magic.

 

[Simon_F]

Re: Must's for guitar techs

Plenty of Duck tape and a bottle opener.

 

[NT02]

Re: Must's for guitar techs

What about a file set for nuts and saddles? Is that going too far? Nuts n Saddles. That sounds funny. Nuts N Saddles. Nuts N Saddels. Work is so boring.

 

[skyydogg01]

Re: Must's for guitar techs

all i can say is a good set of tools. screwdrivers, wrenches, allen (hex) keys, pliers, wire cutters, soldering iron, multimeter ... i may also recommend a good multitool (i.e. leatherman or similar), you never know when you gonna need it

 

[Jeffrec]

Re: Must's for guitar techs

If you're going to do a lot, get one of those little padded bench rests that support the neck while you're brewing up your magic.

That's a great idea. I'ld also add one of those polishing machines if you can afford it. Either that or put a polishing pad on a hand drill and attach it with a vice mounted to your bench.

Jeff

 

[Skarekrough]

Re: Must's for guitar techs

The thing to keep in mind is that for everything that may go wrong in a live setting you're not always going to have the right accomodations even if you do hae the right tools. I've field-stripped a Telecaster and fixed a bad joint on a pool table an hour before a show. But in between sets that sort of repair just isn't going to happen.

Ditch the Lemon Oil and go for Guitar Honey or something that's made specifically for guitars. I never found Lemon Oil to do anything but dry out quickly and stink up the joint.

Duct Tape
Electrical Tape
000 Grade sanding pad
Tri-Flow and unwaxed dental floss for lubing a nut
Wood Glue and a stack of toothpicks
Plastic Coke bottle caps and a stack of pennies for making Floyd trem blocks
Toothbrush for scrubbing gunk out of the frets

And never ever forget to bring a few towels. Past the usual Douglas Adams references a towel is one of those things that can do more than you ever dreamed but never think to have a few extra on hand. I distinctly remember a night where a towel stopped a spilled beer from making contact with the power strip the entire band was plugged into. That towel saved lives!

 

[mrfjones]

Re: Must's for guitar techs

the hitchhikers guide to the galaxy, i remeber those references. Towels are good to have. i think a well stocked toolbox is a must, but also remember to have things like extra screws (for bridge adjustments in case you lose one or falls out somehow. also things like the screws holding pickups and pickguards) some light lubricating oil for unsealed tuners and that bench that scott f was talking about.

 

[drew_half_empty]

Re: Must's for guitar techs

some 9 volts for pedals

and maybe some cable, jacks, and plugs

 

[rspst14]

Re: Must's for guitar techs

I'm a little confused...are you interested in teaching or being a tech?

If you want to be a really good tech, you need lots of tools, lots of experience, and lots of patience. I consider myself to be a very good amateur tech. At the risk of sounding arrogant, I think I'm much better than most music store guys. I can do any kind of setup work, wiring, nut work, fret work, minor wood-working, amp repairs/modifications, and pedal repairs/modifications. The only thing I have no experience with is finishing work and repairing serious problems, like broken headstocks. There is a difference between a luthier and a tech. Anyone can read a Dan Erlewine book and become a half decent tech. But being a good luthier requires lots of knowledge, experience, and tools.

Ryan