Survey: Plekking versus fret leveling?

Read a little bit about each but don't really understand them. Know of people using granite or quartz strips with sandpaper to level frets.

What is difference between plek and fret leveling?

What do you feel is the best method?

Thanks in advance.

http://www.plek.com/en_US/technik/

The Plek system is a computerized method of leveling the frets precisely.

Someone who's really good at fret work can produce results that are similar to what the Plek can do. I've worked on guitars that were supposed to have been Plekked at the factory and, frankly, I wasn't that impressed.

what koko just typed.

the plek is a machine that essentially does fret leveling. humans can also level frets without machines, and have done so quite nicely for millenniums. this is not to knock the plek, it is what it is. for the very most part, unless you require the lowest of string action, fret leveling *may* not be required.

ps - you've asked this same question in another toic post ........

I think they are both great !!

What is the average cost to have an electric plek'd? And how do you find a place where it is done?

I think a full setup, that includes a Plek, goes for about $200.

As to where, there is a link here (http://www.plek.com/en_US/kontakt/get-pleked/worldmap/) but I don't know how up to date it is.

More and more guitar manufacturers - Martin and Gibsom spring to mind - are using Plek machines in their final setups.

The main difference between plekking and a good fret level is the ability of the plek to cut a prescribed relief for each individual string. That said, an expert fret level and dress will get you most of the way there.

The Plek system is a computerized method of leveling the frets precisely.

Someone who's really good at fret work can produce results that are similar to what the Plek can do. I've worked on guitars that were supposed to have been Plekked at the factory and, frankly, I wasn't that impressed.

I have a 2010 Gibson Les Paul that I suppose was Plekked when new. It has already had the nut changed, maybe twice-I bought it used, and could not get the strings right-concluded the nut had been shaved too low, so I replaced. It's still not exactly right, but it's better than it was. It is the only guitar I own that was Plekked, and I'm not too impressed with it. I have several "lesser" guitars that are better players, which is what I assume it was all about...


mark

any and all cnc machines are slaves to their operators and the code they write to get a job done.

I have a 2010 Gibson Les Paul that I suppose was Plekked when new. It has already had the nut changed, maybe twice-I bought it used, and could not get the strings right-concluded the nut had been shaved too low, so I replaced. It's still not exactly right, but it's better than it was. It is the only guitar I own that was Plekked, and I'm not too impressed with it. I have several "lesser" guitars that are better players, which is what I assume it was all about...


mark

If the nut has been changed ("maybe twice") then I don't think you can fault the original Plek job. Gibson sets these up from the factory for their 10-46 gauge Brite Wires. You change the strings, the setup will be off.

Although as Rob says, operator error can always be a factor. I would suspect the incorrect setting of the instrument up in the machine, rather than the code though. The code should have been well debugged. The advantage of the machine over a tech should lie in "repeatability".

I have a couple of Plek'd Gibbys, and they were pretty easy to set up to my liking, low action, they intonate well, with no buzzing.

I have a tech work on some of my other guitars including fret leveling, and they also play great.

I used to level my own frets when I was younger, it is not difficult to do a good job. Cutting a nut properly is a different story, at least in my opinion. It requires more knowledge and skill to get it right.

I figure that if I'm able to get a Mexican strat leveled and set up without buzzing at 3/64" (I can), then setting it where I like it (4/64") becomes a piece of cake. My cost is sandpaper and adhesive. A Plek would cost me some real money.

I recently got a new Les Paul with a plek-job.

It came out pretty good but needed a bit of work on the nut.

I still haven't had the oppurtunity to try one of these super action plekked guitars. I think there must be a lot more plek machines than good plek operators.

Sounds like plekking costs a lot more than manual fret leveling.

I still haven't had the oppurtunity to try one of these super action plekked guitars. I think there must be a lot more plek machines than good plek operators.

I never thought about it that way....you are probably right.

The main difference between plekking and a good fret level is the ability of the plek to cut a prescribed relief for each individual string. That said, an expert fret level and dress will get you most of the way there.

"Prescribed" being the key word there. It also means it's based solely on a human's opinion about "what is ideal neck relief". Let me put it another way : Dan Erlewine has a plek, and he gives 2 options : Plek's recommended relief or forget plek's recommendation, and tell the plek to make the neck dead straight.

"Prescribed" being the key word there. It also means it's based solely on a human's opinion about "what is ideal neck relief". Let me put it another way : Dan Erlewine has a plek, and he gives 2 options : Plek's recommended relief or forget plek's recommendation, and tell the plek to make the neck dead straight.

This gets to the core of the matter. The plek provides the means to control relief down to the 1/1000 of an inch. How it's applied, the intention of the operator becomes everything from there. It allows one to test and confirm/deny the operator's hypotheses about the 'ideal' neck relief. It's an amazing and expensive gauge in that regard.