To PLEK or not to PLEK..... I have the answer....

[Dave Rocks]

I'm a mechanical engineer and machine designer - while machines are awesome, sometimes they can't do what a human can do. I'm not totally familair with a PLEK machines ability to scan and measure each fret but by human hand and tools you can certainly level a fret board perfectly - I do it all the time, but it takes a lot of time and that's the biggest gain.

And, if you think for once second that once your guitar is PLEK'd you are set for life, well you are dreaming coz wood moves and guitars need constant adjustments....(even from the shipping back to you from the PLEK)..

[~K~]

I'm a model maker of 30 years, Cad/Cam specialist and designer. I've had guitars that were plek'd and quite honestly I think it is worth it. The guitars that I've had played better than the ones that were done the old fashioned way. This argument sounds like the old "Those guitars suck because they were CNC'ed" BS.

And, if you think for once second that once your guitar is PLEK'd you are set for life, well you are dreaming coz wood moves and guitars need constant adjustments....(even from the shipping back to you from the PLEK)..

Wouldn't this apply to a normal fretjob as well?

[Dave Rocks]

I'm a model maker of 30 years, Cad/Cam specialist and designer. I've had guitars that were plek'd and quite honestly I think it is worth it. The guitars that I've had played better than the ones that were done the old fashioned way. This argument sounds like the old "Those guitars suck because they were CNC'ed" BS.



Wouldn't this apply to a normal fretjob as well?

Of course it would, my point is that it's overkill and not needed. If you are a builder and you need to cut time, it's a great solution. and, Kevin, I know you from the MasterCAM forum which I no longer visit.

[~K~]

I no longer visit there myself .. got tired of the knuckle draggers

Of course it would, my point is that it's overkill and not needed. If you are a builder and you need to cut time, it's a great solution. and, Kevin, I know you from the MasterCAM forum which I no longer visit.

[horns666]

PLEK = OVER ANALYTICAL !!!!...Just play the fuggin' ting !

...Das wha I tink !


EDIT..OK, This board is WONKY at this time. These are facts.

[Dave Rocks]

I no longer visit there myself .. got tired of the knuckle draggers

Many good people there and many assholes - I got tired of all the politics so I left and will never return.... I still stay in contact with the good people...

[CHARVEL_strat_81]

I bought a MIJ so caL PRO MOD if i had not bought it new out of the box unopened i would have SWORN that this neck was PLEK'ed
My action is less than a 16th" at the 12th fret with NO dead notes or excessive buzz
So IF this is what can be dome just by hand then well you know the rest!
here it is the white one
[IMG][/IMG]

[CHARVEL_strat_81]

Btw if you take the time to look at the accuracy spec's of the PLEK pro machine it is just plain sick with accuracy and to say that a human can be more presise is complete ignorance! seriously get real just look at this chart from the download,if you dont know how to interpete the chart here i suggest ya learn that may change you opinion about its accuracy if this thing were a sniper it would be dead on on balls accurate shot everytime! RISE of the MACHINES!

Accuracy mm inches

Magnetic transmission linear encoder
Resolution: 0.001 mm (0.00004'')
+/- 0.005 +/- 0.0002
Fret cutter +/- 0.01 +/- 0.0004
HFS (nut/saddle cutting) +/- 0.05 +/- 0.002

tell ole danny boy its time to retire

[ulijdavid]

I just bought a used Les Paul that was Plek'd. The Plek job is unbelieveable!!! I just kept lowering the action and it was amazing. I actually ended up raising the action because I couldn't bend the notes - my fingers couldn't "dig in".
I am also one of those Mechanical Engineer guys that has spent 20 years designing automation equipment for many different industries. We have an old saying:

"If you want to get human error out of a process, get the human out of the process".

[Dave Rocks]

I just bought a used Les Paul that was Plek'd. The Plek job is unbelieveable!!! I just kept lowering the action and it was amazing. I actually ended up raising the action because I couldn't bend the notes - my fingers couldn't "dig in".
I am also one of those Mechanical Engineer guys that has spent 20 years designing automation equipment for many different industries. We have an old saying:

"If you want to get human error out of a process, get the human out of the process".

True, except some tasks require constant in-process analysis that only a human can do. In my career I've mostly designed automated assembly equipment - machines to remove people from the process. I've design an automated machine to feed and torqueoil pan bolts and that one took two people off the line.

However, when there are too many variables, machines struggle to handle the situation correctly - try automating assembly when the parts are not predictable = fail.

And, foraction, I set mine lower than 1/16 (.062), IIRC I set mine to around .040"(I'll check when I'm home). Sometimes people embrace what they just spent moneyon and if the guitar was hand worked by someone that knew what they are doingthen I bet you would love it too.

[CHARVEL_strat_81]

I just bought a used Les Paul that was Plek'd. The Plek job is unbelieveable!!! I just kept lowering the action and it was amazing. I actually ended up raising the action because I couldn't bend the notes - my fingers couldn't "dig in".
I am also one of those Mechanical Engineer guys that has spent 20 years designing automation equipment for many different industries. We have an old saying:

"If you want to get human error out of a process, get the human out of the process".

thats the great thing about PLEK you have to raise the action it gets so low it is sick!

[Dave Rocks]

I had a guitar in process of a setup and just finished it now. The action is set to exactly .040" at the 12th (high and low E), ZERO BUZZ - very comfortable to play - no issues bending at all.

[CHARVEL_strat_81]

Will this work on a guitar with a floating bridge and locking nuts? It says the nut and frets would be cut...

Yes and as a matter of fact it is more precise than by hand,the computer in the plek machine calibrates the exact measurement for the nut height. I am all for the PLEK option but thats only because i play with a sick low action and hate buzz.
If you have a medium action PLEK is not all that important, It is for getting a micro action( mine is so low that at the 22nd fret i can put a fender medium pick under the string and it stays put!) with no dead spots or buzz.