Action Adjustment

Term from Instrument Repair industry explained for recruiters

Action Adjustment is a common repair and maintenance task in musical instrument servicing, particularly for pianos, guitars, and other stringed instruments. It refers to adjusting how easily and smoothly the mechanical parts of an instrument move when played. Think of it like tuning the sensitivity of a car's steering wheel or adjusting an office chair's height - it's about making the instrument comfortable and responsive for the musician. When someone mentions "action adjustment" on their resume, they're showing they know how to fine-tune these mechanical aspects to improve how the instrument feels and plays.

Examples in Resumes

Performed over 200 Action Adjustment services on upright and grand pianos

Specialized in Action Adjustment and regulation for vintage acoustic guitars

Trained junior technicians in proper Action Adjustment techniques and standards

Typical job title: "Musical Instrument Technicians"

Also try searching for:

Piano Technician Guitar Technician Instrument Repair Technician Musical Instrument Repair Specialist Piano Action Specialist Stringed Instrument Technician Keyboard Instrument Technician

Example Interview Questions

Senior Level Questions

Q: How would you approach training new technicians in action adjustment?

Expected Answer: A senior technician should discuss their teaching methods, important fundamentals to cover, common mistakes to watch for, and how they ensure quality control while training others.

Q: How do you handle difficult or unusual action adjustment cases?

Expected Answer: Should demonstrate problem-solving abilities, mention experience with various brands and types of instruments, and explain their process for diagnosing and addressing complex issues.

Mid Level Questions

Q: What factors do you consider when adjusting an instrument's action?

Expected Answer: Should mention player preferences, instrument type, playing style, and environmental conditions that affect action adjustment.

Q: How do you document your action adjustment work?

Expected Answer: Should explain their system for recording measurements, changes made, and follow-up recommendations for customers.

Junior Level Questions

Q: What basic tools do you use for action adjustment?

Expected Answer: Should be able to list and explain the use of common adjustment tools and basic measuring devices.

Q: How do you know when an action needs adjustment?

Expected Answer: Should describe basic signs of poor action regulation like uneven key height, sticky keys, or inconsistent touch response.

Experience Level Indicators

Junior (0-2 years)

  • Basic action measurements
  • Simple key leveling
  • Basic tool handling
  • Understanding of basic mechanics

Mid (2-5 years)

  • Complete action regulation
  • Customer communication
  • Multiple instrument types
  • Problem diagnosis

Senior (5+ years)

  • Complex repairs
  • Training others
  • Vintage instrument work
  • Quality control

Red Flags to Watch For

  • No hands-on experience with actual instruments
  • Lack of basic measuring skills
  • Poor understanding of different instrument types
  • No knowledge of safety procedures
  • Unable to use basic repair tools