OUR JOURNEY
Established as an entrepreneurial exercise in late October 2016, the idea of starting a guitar servicing business existed as exactly that, but quickly became a solution to apply technical engineering skills within the music industry.
Since then Weztech has continued to grow having serviced and repaired various guitar, amplifier, pedal models and looking after many clients, at a local workshop based in Mitcham.
HOW IT ALL BEGAN
We’ve put together this small video introducing Weztech from its initial beginnings to a full-time operating small business. Wes discusses the origins of Weztech, his influences both as a technician and a musician and the passion that drives him forward.
DREAMS TO REALITY
— As Recounted by Wes —
After servicing the few guitars of my own for many years, I decided (during Christmas of 2016) to start a guitar servicing business from home. The intention was really a fun side hustle while I was finishing my studies at Swinburne. Initially I was servicing guitars on the desk in my room, but then realized I needed a proper workbench - so I proceeded to commandeer one in my Dad’s garage. It wasn’t long before I kicked him out all together and took the space for my own (sorry Dad) - although we did share it. It was about 3m x 3m area and I was constantly changing the configuration.
I envisioned an efficient and productive space - to work on multiple guitars simultaneously and store more of them as they came in for repair. I remember it as an exciting time establishing myself and giving it a real crack. I furthered my skills - completing some guitar setup courses run by the renowned Paul Gale from Soundworks in Ringwood in 2017, 2018 and 2019. In that year, I also had the brief privilege to gain exposure by assisting expert amp builder Dale Sherlock from Sherlock Amplifiers in Ringwood - learning about amplifier assembly - very valuable experience I’d lean on later.
At the time I serviced mostly guitars from family and friends who were kind enough to give me a chance. Starting out the learning curve is rather steep - I often encountered problems which required arduous research to find a solution. I perfected my soldering technique, learned how to shield using foil and spent time improving my intonation accuracy. After studying and working other jobs, I’d pull late hours into the evening to complete what guitars I had been given. I was encouraged by others and got help when I was in over my head. I look back on that time fondly and with much gratitude.
First Workshop - Mitcham road - mitcham
(2017 - 2020)
MOVIN’ OUT ON MY OWN
— As Recounted by Wes —
In November 2019 I married my now lovely wife Lisa and went immediately into the Covid Pandemic. For me it was like a ‘blackhole’ in my personal timeline and a tumultuous period of uncertainty and chaos. Weztech wasn’t a priority as it didn’t yet bring in significant income so I took on other jobs like Gardening and Audio / Visual Installation with other companies. In October 2020 Lisa and I eventually moved into Harrow Street in Box Hill - and took the risk in January 2021 to move the workshop from Mitcham Road and continue Weztech in Box Hill - working from home inside a single garage.
I soon had a skeletal layout of a functional workshop with plenty of potential to incorporate additional workbenches. I built some guitar-hanger shelving along one side where I serviced guitars and had an electronics bench (for complex jobs) along the back with component tubs mounted. A close friend challenged me to seriously consider expanding Weztech - so I mailed out a discount voucher and a referral system to generate more work. As most people were now working from home, they had ample time to play their lost instruments - I was incredibly busy and survived those years.
Unique to this time, Lisa and I became to parents to our daughter Zarley in late 2021 - adding more responsibilities to juggle. Concerned with temperature / humidity levels in the workshop - I put some insulation bats in the roof to improve atmospheric stability and hooked up an extraction fan for diverting solder and nitro paint fumes. I took on two major painting projects in that workshop; one a Polaris White Tokai SG for Andre Warhurst (guitarist for Chris Cheney). I also started building an acoustic guitar with Chris Wynne (of Thomas Lloyd Guitars) and Brend Bunte (of Gourley Music).
In August 2022 I decided to try servicing guitars amplifiers in addition to just guitars. I had done the occasional amplifier and pedal repair before then but hadn’t advertised for it - its an occupation on it own. I created a Website (this one) and a Google Business Profile and started accepting enquiries for amplifier repairs and pedal repairs. It kind of exploded - within 7 days I had about 12 amplifiers in and I needed assistance. Here enters Geoff Hansen, a family friend and experienced electronics technician. Under rapid expansion, we soon concluded a larger workshop would be beneficial.
Second Workshop - harrow street - Box Hill
(2020 - 2023)
A FULLTIME BUSINESS
— As Recounted by Wes —
At Harrow Street, business was going really well; Geoff and I were servicing and repairing many solid-state and tube amplifiers, self-educating and learning about biasing. The workshop was functional and we had cleverly utilized all the available space to store equipment and stock - I didn’t really want to move it all again. But in May 2023, Highland Avenue is available and we jump at it. The hard part this time amongst moving all the equipment, was transporting all the uncompleted jobs (which was stressful) and the down time from earning money to setup a new and effective workshop.
Later that year, I take on a good friend Nick McGregor as a Junior Guitar Technician. With both Geoff and Nick on board, I’m assisted with both the guitar and amplifier job avenues and we start consolidating our approach. It makes sense given the direction we’re moving and we can cope with more work. I’m creating accounts with electronic component suppliers and establishing a vast database of schematics required for more complex repairs. We purchase more equipment; a heavy-duty microscope for SMT PCB repairs (with a 4K Camera) and a Thermal Camera for PCB scanning.
During this time, I just try my best to focus on maintaining long term consistency with the repairs and staying above the ever increasing administration tasks. A few friends do some short stints completing reception work for us and we change accounting software, change banks accounts, pay for Public Liability Insurance - all the real business stuff! We’re so busy I don’t have time for any social media posting. There were (and still are) genuine periods where I got really tired and partially burnt out with the workshop transition - this was now a legitimate business with a lot of expenses.
In March 2024, Lisa and I welcome our second son Zadok, so we’re back to the “late nights + no sleep” routine (all parents love) which really adds to the pressure. For added security and a more professional look, we decide in April 2025 to build portable shopfront: a wall extension with a glass entrance sliding door - it improves temperature control and gives us more space to display stock and second-hand instruments and equipment for sale. With a reception bench and EFTPOS terminal - Lisa and I look at each other and high-five - I think we’ve finally made it! This is our current workshop to date.