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#1
11-13-2021, 09:35 AM
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What's the deal with PLEKing???
What are the actual advantages to the player? I ask because I just received a new guitar (Emerald X20) that was PLEKed, and it has the best action I've ever experienced on a guitar. I've owned previous Emeralds (and other guitars) and generally find myself tweaking the action, but the action of this new Emerald is just amazing. Is this a perceived affect on my part or does PLEKing result in improved action???
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Emerald X20 Emerald X20-12 Fender Robert Cray Stratocaster Martin D18 Ambertone Martin 000-15sm 
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#3
11-13-2021, 10:02 AM
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 D.H. Edit: Installed a bone nut, too! Last edited by Dave Hicks; 11-13-2021 at 10:08 AM.
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#5
11-13-2021, 11:16 AM
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D.H.
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#6
11-13-2021, 12:22 PM
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In my experience, Pleking a guitar makes it so that it is reasonably playable right out of the box. Before Pleking, manufacturers were often hit or miss on playability. It was just about guaranteed that I felt it absolutely necessary to immediately take any new guitar to my luthier/tech to get it set up properly. With the advent of Pleking, things have changed for me. My last three guitars were all Pleked and I haven't gotten them setup.
That doesn't mean that I don't want to, just that I haven't. I play them and think, "Darn, these are set up pretty well!" But I also think, "How much better would this be with a proper setup?" I know they could be made better and I want to get them set up, but it isn't absolutely necessary. Funny, huh? Now they just nag at me.  Bob
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"It is said, 'Go not to the elves for counsel for they will say both no and yes.' " Frodo Baggins to Gildor Inglorion, The Fellowship of the Ring THE MUSICIAN'S ROOM (my website)
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#7
11-14-2021, 08:33 AM
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The whole PLEK idea is a combination scanner and CNC milling system for fret leveling. On paper, it allows the system to duplicate the best that a lutheir could do and do it every time on every guitar. But there is still the necessity to learn how to use it and to use it correctly.
Link to a PLEK system video. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=cXgeuJgh-jw There's a bunch of other videos on youtube from people like Rhett Shull that love how their guitar plays after a PLEK setup. So, up to you.
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#8
11-14-2021, 08:54 AM
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It was my impression PLEK doesn't set up nut slots or neck relief or saddle height. So I can't see how putting a guitar through the PLEK process would guarantee a good setup.
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Grabbed his jacket Put on his walking shoes Last seen, six feet under Singing the I've Wasted My Whole Life Blues ---Warren Malone "Whole Life Blues"
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#9
11-14-2021, 09:05 AM
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It will do more than fret milling. It can do:
Fingerboard planing and radiusing Nutslot and surface cutting Saddle cutting Fretslot, nutpocket and saddleslot cutting Fret dressing and crowning https://plek.com/technology/processing/
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#10
11-14-2021, 11:40 AM
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PLEKing is a valid way to come close to the results of a great guitar tech using $300 worth of hand tools by spending a quarter of a million dollars on a dedicated machine.
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#11
11-14-2021, 11:59 AM
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Silly Moustache, Just an old Limey acoustic guitarist, Dobrolist, mandolier and singer. I'm here to try to help and advise and I offer one to one lessons/meetings/mentoring via Zoom!
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#12
11-14-2021, 12:15 PM
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I've seen videos showing that the system maps the fretboard, fret heights and string relief for all frets for the entire length of each string individually while under string tension. Then a tech/luthier can adjust truss rod and saddle height for the best action before the machine does fret leveling and crowning that retains maximum fret material and dials in the final setup. It's pretty d*** cool! I think the other stuff they can do, like neck planing would be guitar production steps before installing the frets, so that's not part of a post-production setup. I've got a Gibson Les Paul that was PLEK at the factory. Excellent setup right out of the case. And my only experience with a guitar I know has been PLEK'ed
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#13
11-14-2021, 03:45 PM
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In the majority of cases the plek machine is put to work on a guitar after the frets are installed, so it cannot do the important job of profiling the fretboard.
I think that SCGC are one of the very few companies using the full potential of the system. Profiling, fret slots, nut, saddle slot, saddle, fret level and crown. Most guitar makers install the frets before the neck is installed; so the poor plek only has the frets to play with, and therefore could be trying to make a silk purse from a sow's ear.
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I'm learning to flatpick and fingerpick guitar to accompany songs. I've played and studied traditional noter/drone mountain dulcimer for many years. And I used to play dobro in a bluegrass band.
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#14
11-18-2021, 05:36 PM
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The PLEK perfects the fretboard under string tension. As perfect as your techs work may be, the shape of the neck will change when you add 200 lbs. I don’t know anyone who can do that by hand. My best playing guitars were brought to a great shop PLEKed and set up. Following the plek, the nut slots and saddle will need to be perfected also. I have had a PLEK improve a setup done at Schoenberg and I think it’s pretty tough to find a better shop than Schoenberg.
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#15
11-18-2021, 06:11 PM
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