Life Of A Music Store Tech

I have the third best job in the world (the two best are full-time musician and road crew for the first), I work in a music store. Day after day, I am completely surrounded by finely made guitars, from cheap replicas to some of the best instruments in the world. I have unlimited access to smaller accessories, such as picks and strings. I can, if I don't have anything to do, play the instruments that I otherwise never could have afforded.

But life as a music store tech isn't all just a dance on roses. People come in with instruments beyond repair, they most often want cheap beginner's stuff, not high quality instruments. They often do not know at all what they are talking about - and the first rule in customer service can be tricky at times; Never tell a customer "Hm, I don't think that is the problem" if he/she insists on it. I happened to use some free time earlier today reading the article "How to restring your guitar" elsewhere on this webpage, and kept thinking "What is this nonsense?" (I afterwards read all the user's comments, and didn't bother post my own, as most had been said). However, to some of those comments I must add: Many guitarists do not know how to restring their guitar - so a proper article on that issue is absolutely in place. I've actually had people coming into the store asking me to tune their guitar.

I've just home from work now. Today, I have seen probably the worst attempt to restring an acoustic guitar ever. The strings were wound around the tuners the wrong way, so I had to turn the machine head opposite of what was normal to tune it. What the man with it wanted, was me to put on a new 3rd string and tune it, because he had already snapped 2 strings in the attempt to do the same. (His string gauge was 012-053, the 3rd string was 024) So first, I just simply put on a 024 string, and tuned his guitar. When done, I asked "Listen, you don't want me to fix your guitar properly, because what you have done with the other strings here is not the correct way to do it?". He says to me "Yeah, that would probably be best, go ahead, I'll pay you extra for the effort".

So I start unwinding the 6th string. It snapped as I unwinded it (it was a 053). Hm, I thought, weird, because he had a brand new string set on the guitar (He bought it earlier). I check the string package to find the proper gauge, pick out a new string, put it on, and tune it so-so. Fine-tuning you can do when done. I also replaced the end button, since the head had fallen of it. Then I do the 5th string - it comes of quite nicely, I put it correctly on and tighten it. Same with 4th string, it comes of nicely, but as I try to tighten it afterwards, the screws holding the machine simply falls out of their holes and disappear on the floor. So I have to search my drawers for new screws, which takes some time, and I have to fasten them again. 3rd I've already done. 2nd string snaps as I take it off, so does the 1th string (012 and 017). I replace them, fasten, and then proceed to fine-tune the instrument. One thing I noted was that the 6th string tuner either was very hard to turn, or I had to tighten the string so much that I'm afraid it's gonna snap first time he plays it.

In this store that I work, there is this old, old guitar. It stands on the backroom. A customer came with it couple of years ago saying "I guess this one is beyond repair?" - Of course it is. The neck is so bent you can actually see that it is bent, and between the fretboard and the strings it is a space on at least half an inch, or 15 mm. There's no truss rod on the "guitar", and the person who came with it hasn't been seen since he delivered it. Just a couple of weeks ago, a man came into the store with what first appears as a banjo. However, a closer look reveals that the original banjo neck has been removed and replaced with a mandola neck! So, it's an 8-string banjo, or what perhaps could be called a "Banjola". I ask the man where he got it, and he replies "I bought it on a flea market in Austria couple of years ago".

Most of the people buying strings come into the store just saying "I need a set of strings". This means I have to ask at least 2 additional questions.

For electric, steel acoustic or nylon acoustic?

What string gauge do you want?

Other than that, I must ask if he/she prefers a special manufacturer, or if he/she just want the cheapest I've got. I have a friend who is a talented guitar player. He is my dream "string shopper". He comes in saying "Hey, I need a set of 010 electric strings, D'Addario preferrably" - that's how you melt the heart of a music store tech... Or by saying "I want 010 electric strings, can't you recommend me a brand?"

At this point you probably ask yourself "Why has this guy written this article?". Well, what I wanted was to let people have a little insight in how life in a music store is, and that's it not just sitting there doodling of on the more expensive instruments, it sometimes also can bring you almost to tears when you see a poorly treated instrument. Also, I try to make you reflect over what you are on the lookout for when you enter a shop. "Hey, I want a guitar, a cheap one" is not a good way to start. "I'm looking for a beginner's electric guitar, show me what you got" is better. And please tell my why people don't want to buy those B.C. Rich Body Art 2003 models?

Comments

[BarryMcBatt]

Nice article. I always try to make techs lives' more fun when i go into my local guitar shops. I have a right ol' laugh.

[ecnx]

Gr8 article

[vinniebeast]

Slightly pointless, but inetresting nonetheless.

[Tchort]

yeah, different. But I guess it is like that in most stores anyways. Interesting though

[marmite]

"banjola" ... hehehe

[mackdaddy]

FUN FACTS : Guitar Store at the mall, the lady didnt know what a FREAKING FAT STRAT WAS AND THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THAT AND A NORMAL STRAT!!!..1

ARGH!

[civ182]

woa... thumbs up

[eastern_riffs]

Hahahahahaha

You have a nice life.Enjoy!

[loyd]

well same here is all i can say.. i work at a music store where i teach little kids how to play for 2 hours then after that.. its sales talk time. enjoy it man..

[flame843]

Interesting article. Not very relevant to me, but cool.

[LeoKhenir]

Somehow they haven't registrated that I wrote this article. Stupid UG people.

[starbomb13]

i think i've been a pain in the ass for tech guys at Gtr. stores.

[Dyaxe666]

i enjoyed reading this. its pretty cool

[funky_munks]

ive bin working as a tch since i was 14 and ive really enjoyed it

1ce a guy asked me to glue the head bak on on his guitar that he purpously snapped at a show!!
ps good article

[darkstar9814]

good article, if it makes you feel better, i always know exactly what strings i want and if they don't have them i always have a second preference. that pretty much goes for all music stuff i buy.

[al_]

.... If those are your biggest problems, then you should really stop complaining. So what if someone doesnt know how to put a string on, thats why you are there... to help them and show them how to do it, so that next time, they wont bother you.

And dont think its only the techs that have a hard time. Imagine you coming in, not knowing how to put a string on, and the tech starts rolling his eyes. And how are beginners supposed to know what gauge they want? Or what brand...

Geeez... everyone doesnt no at some point.

ANyways thats jsut my opinion

[slash_pwns]

Great Article... That still seems like a good job to have, though.

5 stars

[hsimah-ESP]

You sound cool. My local guitar tech ***ed my friends 7 string ESP up when changing the pickups. I think the guy must have wanked into it or something or maybe he had 4 feet. Such a waste

[Armyguitarist]

al_:
.... If those are your biggest problems, then you should really stop complaining. So what if someone doesnt know how to put a string on, thats why you are there... to help them and show them how to do it, so that next time, they wont bother you.

Personally I don't think you are complaining. Newbies to the guitar sometimes need a little guidance on how to do these things right. Great article.

[sadistic_monkey]

Cheers for that, I've been thinking of getting a job in a music shop once my exams are done.

[Ozzman_Cometh]

^ Same Here

[Mental Hop]

al_:
.... If those are your biggest problems, then you should really stop complaining. So what if someone doesnt know how to put a string on, thats why you are there... to help them and show them how to do it, so that next time, they wont bother you.

And dont think its only the techs that have a hard time. Imagine you coming in, not knowing how to put a string on, and the tech starts rolling his eyes. And how are beginners supposed to know what gauge they want? Or what brand...

Geeez... everyone doesnt no at some point.

Yeah I agree with this guy. There is so much to learn having to do with guitars that a beginner would have to research for days and days just so you won't be annoyed with them saying, "I need strings" Give em a break, did you know exactly what gauge you wanted when you first started playing guitar? Or did you go up to the guy at the coutner and say, "I need strings" like most every other person in the guitar playing world. Some people just don't know things at first.

[The Nameless666]

when i need strings i dont ask for them i just go and choose the ones i want off a shelf...then buy them..

[KENZI]

nice article i thought is was all dancing around the maypole

Great article. Best one in a while. Explains why I could neither teach guitar nor work in a shop, it would drive me nuts.

Spam deleted, btw.

[stratomaster 17]

all the guitar techs at the guitar store by my house all hate me.... no wait they hate everybody,they always i mean always run off when ppl are in the store
! i asked one if i could try out a guitar he said no i wanna play it! this was a 40 year old dude! lol from what ive seen i would think its a run about the maypole!

[LeoKhenir]

Ok, I guess I was a little fast when I went on about newbies going for strings. First time I went for new strings however, I asked "Hey, I need some new strings on my electric, can you recommend me something?" As for my acoustic, I liked those already on so much I asked for the same over again. (The guitar had an attached tag saying "This instrument is stringed with D'Addario EXP strings")

And I DID help that dude by showing him how to really do it, I didn't roll my eyes and go "Boy are YOU stupid"... I try to be nice and polite to everyone, especially the newbies, and smile to them and help them out as best I can.

[boothy]

that seems a quite fun job to me, even with all the annoyances. better than washin up 4 hours a day aint it?

[thepuddingking]

hehehe, makes me feel good about myself cuz i always know wat strings i want when i go in. (11 gauge GHS boomers)

good job on the article, dude!

[rockinlewis]

nice but pointless article

[Scourge441]

I know exactly which bass strings I want when I get some, so I just pick them off the rack. My teacher showed me how to restring my guitar.

[Mullet28]

i no wat strings wen i get um wether they are off a rack or behind the counter
ernie ball hybrid slinky's all the way. heavy on top thin on bottom and a lovely lovely sound

[gpderek09]

i know what strings i get (yes, another post like this) i just tape of peice of papper with all the string info onto the guitar. i'm friends with most of the guys there. i even bought my lp used from on of the employee's.

[nirvanafuk23]

this was a really pointless article...it didnt teach me anything, and begginers never know how to do basic stuff like that...you should have put this in the threads or something.

[nirvanafuk23]

ide love to help newbeis knowing i tought them what they know

[Evil Noodle]

You shouldn't be too hard on new guitarists when they ask dumb ass questions, i asked a fair few to my local guitar store when i was just starting (Also, it doens;t help when you have a 'I think i'm god' guitar texh in the shop), you learn through your mistakes.

[Evil Noodle]

*tech

[WishIHadAGibson]

this made me laugh very well. i like the "Banjola" part.

i feel bad about the strings thing, i go in and ask if can have some "Elixirs", but i knew what i wanted (electric, light guage) but i didnt say it. i could see the disappointment on the clerks face. he had ask if it was acoustic or electric, what gauge blah blah.

[Pysmone]

Thanks for this article. I was thinking about getting a job helping a tech this summer. I probably still will try to, but now I won't be disappointed if it's not all great.

[axeslinger01]

those bc rich body art things suck

[element94]

lol good article dude, good for some laughs...

[atc228]

this was a very interesting article, i would love to read another one about your encounters and experience (that is if u can take the abuse from most of the people that have commented), for some reason i find it interesting.

if your also a guitar sales dude i would love to hear about the tricks of the trade, like when your selling a cheap guitar but want to make it sound good what songs you will play on it.(no offense meant if you dont do things like this, because i do know some who do dirty things like that)

[La_Deux_Machina]

haha u said 1th but i understood what you meant. Good article, does give a little insight on what its like to work like that.

[)Eric(Draven]

I always wondered what it would be like to work in a music store, but I never really got around to asking any of my friends.

Nice article.

[HelpMeImHungry]

it helps you understand what not to say to your local guitar guy. good stuff

[ad_lib_oz]

Doesn't have much of a point, but its kinda interesting I guess.

[Stratwizard]

Very interesting article. Good job!

[Cyrus-602]

wudnt mind a body art bc rich just cant afford 1

[MushroomMan1]

Man id love a December Body Art "Boris" lol the Beast...but yeah cant afford one...bummer...

[kirkhammett150]

i like that.....HAHAHA!!!!:

and i dont like this bc Bitches

[Night_Lights]

whats this about bs rich body art guitars>? explain it to me

[EatsP1es]

dunno, i hate the things

[craig_thomson]

The reason noone wants to buy the BC Rich's is because they look unbelievably queer and anyone but the maddest shredder looks like a complete dong playing one. Nice article though

[joyful womble]

man, i'm really good at asking for strings in that case.

[gary666]

I wouldnt own myself a BC Rich bodyart guitar. But i however do own a BC Rich Warlock (Mick Thompson sig series). Its good but i hope that the guy thinks im a tw@ for asking. But hey, i couldnt give a shit what he thought, its for me not anyone else. Maybe people like them, not every1's into les pauls and sg's etc.

[Seasoninhell]

Nothing more disgustingly sanctimonius than someone who works in a music shop. If you really know so much about instruments; why aren't you out working for Fender or Gibson or one of the other brands? Just remember matey, the people who come into the shop and buy things pay your wages, they stop coming in and you're out of a job. Customer is always right, and all that....

[LeoKhenir]

www.bcrich.com/bodyart_archive take a peek at them for you who wonder what the hell they are for guitars.

And why do people get the impression that I hate my customers since they don't know what kind of strings they want? I don't HATE them, I just wished they'd tell me right away whether they wanted electric or acoustic strings, not just simple "I need strings", since we have electric and acoustic strings on two different shelves...

[noodles is god]

i work in a music shop..... few weeks ago this woman brought a £1000 fernandes back in after having it a few weeks, her son had broken the floyd rose, lost one of the locking nuts, chipped paint, tone pot is falling off and the input isnt working, we fixed it and shes been in about 3 times since with more problems, you wonder what the hell the guys doing to the guitar!!

[acdc101]

Some people take things to seriously. I liked the article.

[ThisPerishedMin]

^^^agreed. calm down and relax...i dont really care if you like it or not, im sure the author doesnt either, at least if youre gonna be a twat about it. i dont think he meant to be bitching either...eh... atc228 raised a good pointas well....do you try to sell stuff or are you flat out honest or such?

[Metallica12_12]

Funny article nice

[folk_rocknroll]

thanx for the info, working in a music or record store has always been a thought, currently i teach guitar lessons which is fun/frustrating with definate ups and downs

spam deleted.

[mcmanigle]

the guy that wrote this article is the problem with guitar shops today and the reason I no longer shop for my equipment at them.

[LeoKhenir]

I feel kinda bad for the fact that UG has missed that I wrote this article, in case some people think that I do not wish to show who I am. Well, I do not care.

I wrote this article. I care not what people think. The point was to amuse people, not to be dead serious.

Somehow they haven't registrated that I wrote this article. Stupid UG people.

dude, be more respectful and think carefully before accusing someone
you just were not logged-in when submitted the article, and now call us "stupid"...

as you can see, the article is signed now; sorry that couldn't do this earlier

[lead_guitar5]

i'm scared of music store techs

[LeoKhenir]

The Martian: Oh sorry. I was pretty sure that I was logged in, but if I weren't, then probably it's my fault.

I apologize for calling you "stupid".

I thank you for signing it.

I humbly kiss the dust before your feet.

[LeoKhenir]

I'm actually serious, not sarcastic.

[the_state]

Ah, there is someone else like me! I've seen all those things you listed except the banjola. But you've gotta give, it is alot better than just about every other job there + when we're fixing someone's guitar we're getting yet another musician back into the world. I get such a fuzzy feeling from that... mmm...

[Spicer_UK]

Nice article, quite a cool little insight!

[Tim_5150]

I see there are lots of other people who feel the same way i do when an idiot comes and asks to have his/her guitar "fixed"... I'm not exactly a guitar tech, but everyone (some i know, some i havn't even seen before) in my old school comes to me for tech help... it's hard but it's also quite rewarding.

[Tim_5150]

tone and price wise the reason why people don't buy B.C. Rich body art models is because there are more guitars out there with better tone for a cheaper price! look wise- i don't understand why... B.C. Rich guitars look great! a little too wild at times, but still great!

[Tim_5150]

sorry for posting three things consecutively, but i saw a trend on the postings.. thought i'd follow a trend just once...

my prefered strings are: Ernie Ball regular slinkeys (0.010-0.046) or D'Addario XL's (0.010-0.046) for both acoustic and electric. Ernie Ball super slinkeys (0.045-0.100) or D'Addario XL's (0.045-0.100) for Bass.
btw i usually hang out in a guitar store... i usually help other customers when my friends are tied up with other customers...no pay, but it feels good; and since i don't work there they don't ask too many in-depth tech quetions- THANK GOD! i might actually work for them, but i hate doing inventory and accounting stuff! i'd prefer to inhale lead fumes from soldering than crunch down numbers with a pen and paper!

[southern_stylin]

I feel for ya buddy. I worked in a music shop for two days. This clown that's been working there for like 5 years now comes up to me with this new guitar of his, showing off. He says,"Man, this is Angus' sig series, it's so cool." Then I say,"That's not Angus', it's a freaking PRS." Two seconds later we're in a fist fight. Of course I got fired.

[wanna_lick_me?]

^LMAO

[GuitaPlaya]

its funny cuz his eye his green

[GuitaPlaya]

is* green

[LeoKhenir]

Mmm the smell of soldering... *drool*
Not so much inventory and accounting though, I've only done inventory 2 times, first time I was done in 10 minutes, second time I did it more detailed.

*keeps reading the comments you guys make on my article, so just post a question here if you wonder on something*

[Saynotopunx]

is it hard to learn how to solder things together? do you ever get really stuck when trying to put in pickups or something? have you ever messed up somebody's guitar while trying to fix it? in a case like that, what would happen?

[Tim_5150]

it's not hard to solder. all you need is an instruction manual or i'f you're re-soldering a shorted connection you could just remove onw wire then re-solder it again on the same place. if you want more wiring diagrams you can go to www.seymourduncan.com (if your pickup is a dimarzio solder the black and white together instead of red and white)

[Tim_5150]

soldering isn't hard. all you need is a manual or if you're re-soldering a shorted connection, just remove a wire and re solder it again one at a time. for more wiring diagrams go to www.seymourdunacn.com 9if your pickup is a DiMarzio just solder the black and white wires together instead of the red and white.)

[LeoKhenir]

Soldering is quite easy, yes. I didn't have to learn it when I started, since I did "Electrical Engineering" in Senior High Scool, a course spanning 2 years and taking about 20-25 lessons a week, first year concentrating on electronics, second year on home and industrial installations.

Hardest thing with soldering is that you have to hold the soldering instrument, the soldering lead and the the thing you are gonna solder with just two hands. But it's a technique that comes after a couple of times.

I have not yet got stuck fixing someone's guitar or other equipment, and since it is a really small store, changing of pickups and such are really seldom, and many problems are easy fixed. Such as this guy coming into the store with his amp that didn't work. Took me 5 seconds after opening it to realize he had blown his fuse and another 5 seconds to replace it.

And no, I have not yet messed up somebody's guitar. If I do however, we will have to replace his guitar if it is beyond repair, and it would probably be deducted from my salary. You know the bit in manuals where it says "Guarantee void if opened by not qualified personell" or similar. Well, I am so-called "qualified personell" so if the guitar gets broke after I have 'fixed' it, the guarantee gets in effect and the customer will get a new guitar.

[madbasslover]

you people are way too serious. "don't be so hard on beginners..." man, i'm a damn beginner, and i read this article as the light hearted bit of amusement it was meant to be. stupid touchy feely people...banjola..hahaha great article, five stars

[LeoKhenir]

THANK YOU, madbasslover and all you others who actually understood my point, and therefore started throwing dirt.

[Hosscat]

Good concept for column material...probably more interesting if you manufactured stories rather than telling real life stuff. Like "this bleach blonde walked in with a duck under one arm, a bottle of whiskey under the other arm, and a broken banjo hanging out of her cooch!!!!"..... see what I mean!

[Ragnarok_Riff]

haha being a music tech is never a shit job... most of us did go there for the passion of music... and anyone who cant see this guys point well...go *** urself y take simple stories and a hint for ppl starting the wrong way? and yea stories do well! lol. have u ever had someone bring u three peices of plywood and ask u the best pick ups?

by the way i live in a town of 30,000 right now 90% alcoholic "native americans" u'd be surprised... nice article man, guess u have to care to appreciate

peace

[Tedrick]

haha very interesting, i like to hang out in guitar stores a lot and hear people say and do mae stuff all the time

[guitarcaw]

nice article, i love messing with the techs at my local store. i tell them i want this guitar, then i change my mind about 5 times and they just get really annoyed! reason people dont buy the B.C. Rich body art warlocks... THEY'RE TOO EXPENSIVE! they look nice play nice but i'll just stick with my bronze warlock

[LeoKhenir]

Well, we have lowered the retail price down to 66% of the original price. And they are so niiice *plays with his Firebreather*

Heck, you even get a free shirt!

[x_themetalfan_x]

Heh heh... Banjola. That was good!

[Tempus]

Ah, man, the body art series are kickass. I just couldn't find the Forty Lashes mockingbird anywhere, or else I would have gotten it.

[tyler 417 714]

bitch a little bit its your job to help begginers if you dont like your job quit you could be easly replaced

[kurt_was_killed]

***ing A. what an awesome article. but a music store tech is the 4th best job 3rd best: porn director!

[kurt_was_killed]

oh and by the way, best strings ever: deam markley LTHB

[kurt_was_killed]

dean**

[kurt_was_killed]

speaking of the body art series. the fly was a little creep. i liked the umethar, but it was a little..... gothy and dark. 40 lashes was the best. gotta save up 850 bucks for the acrilyic series warlock.....

[Punk_Dude2005]

Hahah

southern_stylin:
I feel for ya buddy. I worked in a music shop for two days. This clown that's been working there for like 5 years now comes up to me with this new guitar of his, showing off. He says,"Man, this is Angus' sig series, it's so cool." Then I say,"That's not Angus', it's a freaking PRS." Two seconds later we're in a fist fight. Of course I got fired.
[POSTED: 09 May 2005 - 17:15]|

Lmao I think he was on bong..

[hardcoreatheist]

I used to be scared of techys now i am in awe because i saw a guy tune a guitar in about 15 seconds by playin some thrash and tuning as he did it :o

[Danis1]

ive had really good experiences with guitar techs, the only bad one was with this ******* emo...no explanation nesasary aye?

[realpaintheory]

Danis1, tell us the story!!! I wanna hear it lol. Great article btw. I'm buying my first electric guitar soon - BC Rich Body Art 40 Lashes. WOO!!! God it's beautiful! But yeah, can you recommend some good strings for it? So that I don't piss off my music shop guys lol. xXx

[bainsy911]

life in a music stores sounds cool maybe 2nd coolest ahead of guitar techs only thing i wouldnt like is seeing some piece of crap somene says is a guitar id break down crying(yes its sad) but dos sound fun have fun at ur super cool job