The Plek Pro is a state-of-the-art system for guitar makers and manufacturers that enables automation of many neck and fret-related tasks with the aim of optimizing instrument playability
Explanation is not clear: First use external tensioner and adjust truss rod, but after it remove it, put to the PLEK and do scanning, BUT neck will have another shape without tensioner or strings...? Do you perform scan and milling of frets under tension in fact?
Hi Ivan, the Plek Pro machine can also simulate string tension, just like the external STS system. The external system merely helps speed up the process by providing a guide for truss rod adjustment. The Plek Pro machine can perform all tasks under simulated string tension. Hope this helps! :-)
I just got my American Series Stratocaster back from a Plek job. The frets are ruined. The fret height runs from 041" at the first fret, to 035" at the 22nd, a difference of .006". Do not go with Plek. Find a skilled luthier..... Plek=overrated.... Don't do it. Find a skilled luthier..
Just choose your luthier carefully. A Plek machine does not a luthier make. It's a great piece of technology but it's not within itself within a guarantee of of a good outcome. The Plek machine doesn't refinish your fingerboard if it's maple and it's needed planing. Neither does it actually refret the guitar. That is still done by the luthier. The luthier still needs to interpret the scans and make a host of decisions. MT Guitars in Perth, Western Australia just about ruined my Custom Shop Nocaster Reissue through very injudicious Plek machine use and terrible luthier skills. Do your research people.
Really? Can you expand and outline what happened? Reason I'm asking is that I am scheduled for Plek work but I've no idea what to expect and/or look for.
I just got my American Series Stratocaster back from a Plek job. The frets are ruined. The fret height runs from 041" at the first fret, to 035" at the 22nd, a difference of .006". Do not go with Plek. Find a skilled luthier..... Plek=overrated.... Don't do it. Find a skilled luthier..
You killed me with those P's straight into the mic.
Very informative - thanks you! But, for future videos, when doing voice over for a product which starts with a "P", use a pop-filter! ;-)
Explanation is not clear:
First use external tensioner and adjust truss rod, but after it remove it, put to the PLEK and do scanning, BUT neck will have another shape without tensioner or strings...? Do you perform scan and milling of frets under tension in fact?
Hi Ivan, the Plek Pro machine can also simulate string tension, just like the external STS system. The external system merely helps speed up the process by providing a guide for truss rod adjustment. The Plek Pro machine can perform all tasks under simulated string tension. Hope this helps! :-)
Ok, understand, thanks. In this way, maybe best option is to perform scanning and milling always under tension.
I just got my American Series Stratocaster back from a Plek job. The frets are ruined. The fret height runs from 041" at the first fret, to 035" at the 22nd, a difference of .006". Do not go with Plek. Find a skilled luthier..... Plek=overrated.... Don't do it. Find a skilled luthier..
So, still not clear: what you recommend - scanning and milling under tension, or without tension?
it is great my Gibson Midtown is perfect .
half a million bucks worth of time saved though?
Just choose your luthier carefully. A Plek machine does not a luthier make. It's a great piece of technology but it's not within itself within a guarantee of of a good outcome.
The Plek machine doesn't refinish your fingerboard if it's maple and it's needed planing. Neither does it actually refret the guitar. That is still done by the luthier. The luthier still needs to interpret the scans and make a host of decisions.
MT Guitars in Perth, Western Australia just about ruined my Custom Shop Nocaster Reissue through very injudicious Plek machine use and terrible luthier skills.
Do your research people.
🎃
$500 dollars later and no discernible difference.
Really? Can you expand and outline what happened? Reason I'm asking is that I am scheduled for Plek work but I've no idea what to expect and/or look for.
I just got my American Series Stratocaster back from a Plek job. The frets are ruined. The fret height runs from 041" at the first fret, to 035" at the 22nd, a difference of .006". Do not go with Plek. Find a skilled luthier..... Plek=overrated.... Don't do it. Find a skilled luthier..
Thanks for the feedback Brian, please see our answer to this under our "Plek Machine Accuracy part 1" video.
All the best
The Plek Team.
Plek is only as good as the operator. If the fret job got screwed up, then the operator didn't know what they were doing where you bought it.