#1
|
|||
|
|||
Question about Plek
I'm sure it's been asked before, but does it help all that much in a setup? It sounds very accurate and just want to hear other opinions.
|
#2
|
||||
|
||||
You’ll hear a lot of opinions. Many shops say that they will fine tune the fretboard after PLEking - is it needed? Who knows? And you’ll also read that a PLEK is only as good as the person running it.
But a PLEK machine is very effective at keeping workers away from repetitive stress disorders over many years of leveling, filing and dressing frets. I believe I heard Adam Buchwald (Circle Strings\IRIS guitars) remark in an interview, that after being the ‘fret guy’ at Froggy Bottom for three years, he was ruined for life. Coincidentally, a PLEK machine was one of the first big purchases (after the CNC) for Iris Guitars. That being said, I will be visiting Iris\Circle Strings\Fairbanks Guitars in the next few months. I plan to bring my Fairbanks F35 and have it analyzed on the PLEK. And if work is needed, give it the go ahead. I believe in the PLEK - it’s an amazing beast and very accurate.
__________________
”Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet” |
#3
|
|||
|
|||
I have not yet had a pleked guitar for a set-up that I couldn’t improve but I must say they’re a lot better than I was used to seeing.
I still believe that a skilled luthier or tech who sets-up a guitar as an individual instrument and takes pride may well do the best work. |
#4
|
|||
|
|||
I had all my Collings flat tops pleked by the main asuthorised Collings repair man for the UK, after which he did a few tickles on each one.
I believe that a PLEK machine is only as good as the operator.
__________________
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! |
#5
|
|||
|
|||
Quote:
I think having a guitar Plecked or set up by someone who is experienced and takes pride in their work is all the same at the end of the day. The bottom line is to have either process carried out rather than a guitar shipped to you still in its original box and unopened, which may result in a situation where the guitar needs to go back for attention in some form.
__________________
Pete "Never take a fool with you when you go, because you can always pick one up when you get there"! Billy Connolly. |
#6
|
|||
|
|||
Plek does good, still have to cut your own nut and saddle to suit your style.
|
#7
|
|||
|
|||
I do know he was a great actor.
__________________
Brucebubs 1972 - Takamine D-70 2014 - Alvarez ABT60 Baritone 2015 - Kittis RBJ-195 Jumbo 2012 - Dan Dubowski#61 2018 - Rickenbacker 4003 Fireglo 2020 - Gibson Custom Shop Historic 1957 SJ-200 2021 - Epiphone 'IBG' Hummingbird |
#8
|
|||
|
|||
Quote:
Guitar companies that install the frets before fitting the neck (Martin, Gibson et Al) can't use the machine to its full potential. Basically, the Plek only has the frets to work with. I think that you can see how this can be problematic - and not ideal. Regarding the toll on the technician. I can vouch for that. I was doing fretwork every day and my elbows, forearms and hands were in a shocking state. I had to give up as it really wasn't doing my health any good at all. A bespoke luthier will only be doing a fraction of the time on frets that a shop tech will handle, so I'm all for any solution to this aspect of guitar work.
__________________
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. |
#9
|
||||
|
||||
The Plek machine is a wonderful innovation for guitar purchasers in that it pretty much guarantees that the frets will be playable from the factory. That is wonderful, because before the Plek, even guitars from excellent manufacturers could arrive with the frets in a sorry state, necessitating all sorts of work.
Now, there are all sorts of things other than frets that determine overall playability of an instrument, and all sorts of little changes can occur in an instrument between the factory and your home, some due to environmental factors. There are some reasons that guitars can be optimized after being Plek'd: 1. The guitar may encounter new environmental factors at its destination and need to acclimate, throwing off the setup. 2. The manufacturer may have a target playing style that they set up the guitar for. A dread may be set up with nut and bridge high and lots of relief in anticipation that the owner will thrash it with a heavy pick and it will need a tall setup to cope with that playing. But what if you play lighter? 3. Let's face it: there can be levels of "Plek-age," even within one manufacturer. One way to make a less-expensive guitar hit its price point is to spend less employee time working on it, so the manufacturer might spend less time Plek-ing a guitar that will be sold at a $700 price point than he does on his $3700 guitar. That could mean fret ends that need dressing and a nut with sharp corners on the $700 guitar. I have never taken a Plek'd guitar to my luthier that he hasn't greatly improved, so I simply reserve the money to take every guitar I buy to him. Bob
__________________
"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) Last edited by Bob Womack; 11-27-2022 at 08:32 AM. Reason: speeling |
#10
|
|||
|
|||
I think it makes a difference. I had a Gibson and Martin plek'd while having set-up (having bought them new) and honestly, it was a good investment. Now if it was a budget import I probably would not be inclined to, but those 2 truthfully benefited from being plek'd while being set up.
|
#11
|
||||
|
||||
I have never taken a Plek'd guitar to my luthier that he hasn't greatly
improved, so I simply reserve the money to take every guitar I buy to him. A good tech with a plek (song title) might be a good alternative to either or. These guys say it is a good tool to have available but not a magic cookie... -Mike |
#12
|
||||
|
||||
Quote:
Kenny has been doing it for nearly forty years and I've been going to him for thirty of those years. He's done several refrets for me and lots of setups. The last group I took to him included three Plek'd instruments that he set up to my needs. Bob
__________________
"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) |
#13
|
|||
|
|||
Bumping this thread because I’ve read quite a bit on the plek process but I’m still not sure how much plekking involves the nut and saddle. Specifically, I have a 4 year old Collings that was factory plekked. I recently had to add relief as the fretboard was very flat under string tension. When fretted @ frets 1 & 12, a piece of paper wouldn’t fit under the 6th fret. Now that I’ve obtained ~0.010” gap, I’ve eliminated the buzzing, “sitar” sound, but I believe the saddle is too high. I’d like to reduce the saddle height, but don’t feel right about undoing the plek job. I’ve probably done that already with the truss rod adjustment, but it was needed. I think the nut height is fine. Looking for some thoughts/knowledge on this please.
Last edited by Skydog; 11-07-2023 at 10:06 AM. |
#14
|
|||
|
|||
Quote:
|
#15
|
|||
|
|||
I realize that, for sure, and didn’t think twice about tweaking the neck, but the saddle itself shouldn’t have fluctuated. I would consider the saddle and nut to be a constant in this equation, although their relationship to the neck relief has somewhat changed. I’m wondering if they leave the factory on the high side to allow adjustment.
|