Ask the Experts | December 18, 2024
Joel "Tico" Jimenez: Backline Crew Chief/Artist Guitar Tech
These questions aim to delve into various aspects of acoustic guitar care and maintenance, travel tips, unique situations, and funny stories from the road. We hope to offer insights and inspiration for both beginners and experienced players alike.
What is your official title?
Backline Crew Chief/Artist Guitar Tech.
What artists have you worked with?
Thomas Rhett, Jewel, Marc Scibilia, Big & Rich, Gretchen Wilson, and Phil Keaggy.
Can you share some insights into your daily responsibilities when working with high-profile artists and their acoustic guitars?
Communication with your artist is essential. I try and always have conversations with the player, especially when first starting, to try and understand as best I can what they need out of the acoustic guitar. What are their likes and dislikes? I do my best to make the instrument as easy to play for them as possible. Having a good relationship with the artist is important. I also do my best to anticipate needs, once I know the artist, again to keep them from thinking about the instrument as little as possible and have all of their attention on the performance. I also try and check-in regularly to see if anything needs adjusting for the artist. Another key element is keeping the instruments clean and well maintained.
What are one or two essential tips you would give to beginner guitar players regarding acoustic guitar care and maintenance?
Regular monitoring and adjustment of the truss rod as needed, and keeping the neck nice and clean and hydrated are key in keeping the instrument performing at its highest ability. I would include keeping the frets clean and shiny in the neck as part of the neck maintenance.
Could you elaborate on the common issues or challenges you encounter with acoustic guitars while on tour, and how you address them?
A couple of the biggest issues with acoustic guitars I would say are humidity and temperature. We play in a variety of venues year-round. Sometimes indoors, sometimes outdoors. Understanding how each instrument behaves when these two elements change is a big part of the gig. Being comfortable with making small adjustments as needed and dealing with some of the variables that aren’t as easy to deal with. For example, the bridge on an electric guitar is easily adjustable, on an acoustic it's not. Setup from the beginning to accommodate for some of the natural movement of the wood in various environments becomes important.
What specific steps do you take to protect acoustic guitars from environmental factors such as humidity and temperature changes, especially during travel?
The use of humidifier packs is key for travel and storage. For us, our vaults all have humidity monitoring, so we have a pretty accurate idea on that. Since our guitars travel primarily in vaults, we can always control the temperature they’re in. Sometimes the guitars are in temperatures in both extremes, hot and cold, as well as dry and humid. Once the vaults (this also applies to cases) load into venues, take the appropriate steps and slowly allow the vaults to acclimate. Both by waiting, if possible, and then opening and closing the lid in short quick bursts until the internal temperature of the vaults matches the environment I’m in.
Can you share any memorable anecdotes or experiences you've had while working with touring musicians and their acoustic guitars?
I had something happen years ago. We were doing a TV awards show taping and for this trip we had super limited space, so we brought only one guitar for my artist. It was a Custom Shop Martin, one of a kind made for him. I don’t know if it was during travel or at what point, but the entire bottom half of the guitar split in the middle of the edge. You could almost open half of the guitar. We could have probably found a backup backlined guitar, but it was important for the artist to play this specific guitar. So, I had to come up with something. In that moment I found some gaff tape. I carefully took the strings off and put a layer of tape on the inside edge and along the outside edge. We were able to do it so it wasn’t obvious on camera. And as a true testament to the quality of the guitar we were able to get through the event with no issues. Very unconventional, but it worked and got us through in a pinch.
How do you approach troubleshooting and resolving technical issues with acoustic guitars during live performances or recording sessions?
One of the biggest things with acoustic guitars is that quick adjustments aren’t always possible. For my artists' setup I have a spare or backup for every guitar. I know not everyone can have full duplicates but having at least a spare or two will achieve this as well. If something goes wrong mid-show, I always have one in the same tuning and/or capo position as the one being played on stage. In the moment, for me it’s important to have a solution as quickly as possible. Then if I can during the show, I’ll address the issue or get to it when there’s time. But in that moment, all the artist knows is that a guitar failed and you had a solution within seconds. If it’s a setting where it’s a unique guitar, and if there’s time in the moment, having all the correct tools and spare parts around is also key.
What advice would you give to aspiring guitar techs on how to get started in the role?
I think reading up as much as possible on the craft is imperative. These days YouTube offers endless resources and is a great place to learn. Getting your foot in the door can be hard initially, but if you have the right attitude and are willing to learn, people will usually be receptive to you. I learned a tremendous amount by watching others and asking questions from people that were more experienced than me. I also think practicing at home on your own time is a huge help. One of the biggest things I tell people is that I earn my salary when things go wrong. Being quick and calm when troubleshooting will go a long way in this business.
What's the most valuable lesson you've learned throughout your career as a guitar tech, and how can it benefit guitar players of all levels?
I am constantly learning new things. I learn from my fellow techs every day. Having this attitude is so important. There’s no point where you know it all. Having an open mind and constantly striving to learn and improve is the thing that keeps the most successful techs working. Keeping up with new technology, tools, and techniques will keep you relevant always. Almost as important, if not even more, is being a nice person, being willing to work hard, and help others.
What are some lesser-known factors or techniques that can significantly impact the tone and playability of acoustic guitars?
On my artists’ guitars I swap out all the plastic bridge pins for wood pins. To me, there is enough of an improvement that it’s worth doing, even though it’s slight, it matters to me. Along the same lines, swapping out a plastic nut or plastic bridge for bone improves the tone and sustain on the instrument.
Can you recall a funny or lighthearted moment involving a famous musician and their acoustic guitar while on tour that still brings a smile to your face?
This actually just happened. At the end of this one particular song, my artist usually takes his acoustic off, holds it from the body up by the neck and holds it in the air. Then when the last note hits, he pushes the guitar forward in the air. It’s always just been a cool bit, looks cool and whatnot. This past weekend, however, his hand was a bit sweaty and when he did the move I watched in slow motion as he accidentally launched the guitar towards the drum riser. The look on his face was priceless and of course we would have fixed it and glued it back together. But he decided to create a moment and had me take the strap off, he signed it and chose to make a pretty cool memory for a fan as he handed him the guitar. It was a pretty cool moment out of what started as a funny situation with a moment of panic.
What's the most unexpected or unconventional request you've received from a musician regarding their acoustic guitar setup or maintenance?
Years ago, I was working for an artist who was doing a series of TV appearances for a new single. Even though it was a small thing, he wanted different phrases or words to be visible on the front of his acoustic for each show. So, I was printing these out with some clear tape and a knife and changing them on the fly, sometimes in between takes and songs. Again, a bit of a small thing, but for the artist it was a big deal. Just a small example of things that you can do to go the extra mile for your artist.