In a workshop, a guitar technician maintains and sets up guitars for performances, as well as handling more complex instrument maintenance and refurbishment. Some technicians prefer to work with touring bands on the road, while others prefer to work on complex restoration and maintenance projects in a workshop setting. Apprenticeship training is the most common way for people to learn the skills they need for this job, where they work under the supervision of a skilled guitar technician to hone their skills. Instrument proficiency is required, just as it is for other technicians who work with instruments.
Guitar technicians who work with bands prepare instruments and equipment for events, ensuring that they are loaded and unloaded carefully, and setting up at the venues. Stringing guitars, tuning them, and making any necessary adjustments are all examples of this. The guitar technician collaborates with other members of the team to set up and test amplification systems, as well as effects pedals and other stage equipment.
Because the tuning and setup process must be carefully customized, this work necessitates familiarity with the musician and the musical style. The guitar technician will typically need access to the set list in order to determine which tools the guitarist will require, and may need to set up multiple guitars to allow the musician to select from a variety of instruments. In the event of equipment failure or other issues, extra instruments may be required.
Instruments are also maintained by technicians on the road. Cleaning and polishing between events, restringing, checking for damage, and performing minor repairs are all examples of this. This may need to happen while the van is on the road in one of the trailers it maintains. By prior arrangement with a venue, it may be possible to gain access to a guitar workshop for maintenance and repair work. When a musician relies on a specific technician and prefers not to work with others, time off can be difficult to come by.
Other guitar technicians work in a shop that is set up. Instruments are brought in by clients for inspection, maintenance, and repair. Repairs on antique and valuable instruments, as well as collector’s items, can be delicate or complex. Familiarity with guitars can also lead to side projects such as instrument identification. This may be required to return stolen property to its rightful owner, as well as for activities such as authenticating rare guitars prior to auction or donation.