One Musical, Fifteen Guitars
By Shetu Simone (Communications and Community Engagement Coordinator)
Photos by Dream Syndicate (taken backstage before the show)
Scott Davey, Once’s Guitar Technician
I recently had a chat with Once’s Guitar Technician, Scott Davey, to find out more about the musical world of the show. I don't know a lot about guitars, and I became certain of that fact after meeting Scott and listening to him passionately talk about these gorgeously maintained instruments.
A sweet and subtle love story, Once takes you on a ride of emotions with your main form of transportation being a chord or a sweet tune from one of the many instruments played by each performer in the show. Impressive much? Out of 30+ musical instruments used in the show, fifteen are guitars. That’s right, fifteen. Scott Davey has been working with guitars for the past 10 years, and these instruments couldn’t be in better hands with him on board as Once’s Guitar Technician. I was so excited to meet Scott as I’m fascinated by the musical world, and a sponge for musical education.
“Serendipitous or fate, I was in the right place at the right time”, says Scott about nabbing the job on Once’s Australian season. I asked Scott some questions about his role in the musical and allowed him to geek out over his passion - guitars!
Shetu: I've heard you're a proud “guitar geek”. What is it about this instrument that gets you going?
Scott: It’s hard to find something in life that you can sustain a passionate and creative relationship with, and I’m very fortunate that I’ve found mine in the work I do. Being someone who loves detailed work, the world of guitars is captivating. I don’t think there is a day now that I’m not ingrained in the work of helping musicians and performers achieve the best from their instrument. It’s a lot of fun and I believe that every guitar has a story to tell, from one string cigar box guitars to custom pre-war Martins, they all have a voice.
To quote Billy Crudup as Russell Hammond from the film Almost Famous “to begin with, everything”.
Shetu: How many guitars are you working with on this show? Can you list them all?
Scott: There are fifteen guitars, and I have it all listed in order of the cast notes, what the action of each guitar is set to, string type and the history of repair work I have done. Some stand out guitars for me are the two very nice Taylors (Ad17E and 214CE DLX) used By Toby (Guy) and the Martins (SC-13e and DC16) played by Drew (Bank Manager) and Rupert (Billy). There are five Matons being used in the show and I give a special shout out to Jay’s (Da) custom, as it is a particularly lovely guitar.
Shetu: What makes these guitars so special?
Scott: I believe these guitars are a polite match with each performer and their character. Drew’s choice of guitar for the Banker matches the character so well, as do so many others and the cast makes them each come to life and truly sing. Without them they are just very fancy brooms.
Shetu: Tell me about the technicalities around having so many string instruments in one room? I've heard that temperature is a big deal for them, just like us humans.
Scott: There are a lot challenges when working on this many instruments, and humidity can play such a huge role when working with guitars. The woods used for the bodies and necks can still react like a tree would with weather changes and will move and expand if they get too much humidity or too little. Thankfully the changes are slow and each week I look over the guitars and make small corrections.
Shetu: Who do you work most with from the cast and crew? How does your role integrate with the Musical Directors?
Scott: I work directly with the cast and liaise mainly with Drew (Bank Manager and Assistant Musical Director). I feel it is important to speak directly with the performers as they know how they like the guitar to feel. They have a personal relationship with the guitars and it is my role to support them in feeling as cohesive as possible.
Shetu: If I wanted to become a guitar tech how would I go about it?
Scott: If you have a passion for guitars and fixing things and also want to help others, that's a great place to start with and just try to learn as much as you can. It can feel like such a big world to first get into and there is a lot more support online these days where you can learn a lot. Woodworking is also a great foundation and can teach you valuable skills.
Shetu: What's the most romantic thing you've ever done with a guitar?
Scott: Romantic, oh, I would say a lifelong love affair with the art of luthering and music and how we take wood, glue, metal and bone to make a second voice - a language that expresses more than we could just with ourselves. That, and trying to write silly songs to bug my partner when we are bored!
Shetu: What's the funniest thing you've ever done with a guitar?
Scott: I can’t recall anything directly funny that I’ve done with a guitar, but I have definitely had some music standouts of odd guitars and interesting stories. From making guitar nuts from fossilised mammoth bone, to installing pickups in a ukulele for a mini metal band, to working on The Wiggles’ custom Maton electric. The world of guitar repairs is full of such charming and charismatic characters.
Shetu: Anything else you would like to add e.g fun fact, dad joke etc : )
Scott: My name is Scott Davey and I have been a guitar technician for the last 10 years. My business is Davey Guitar Works and I am very happy to help all players achieve the best from their instrument. You can reach me through my work Instagram @daveyguitarworks and I’m always happy to help!
I’ll leave you with a guitar joke: What’s the difference between a rock guitarist and a jazz guitarist? A rock guitarist plays 3 chords in front of 3,000 people and a jazz guitarist plays 3,000 chords in front of 3 people!
See all of Scott’s incredible guitar work up close at Once! Playing now at the Eternity Playhouse until 14 August 2022. Learn more here.
Have a guitar that needs some love? Check out Scott’s website or flick him an email:
website: www.daveyguitarworks.com
email: scott@daveyguitarworks.com
instagram: @daveyguitarworks