PLEK is cool

[SimpleSi]

Since getting a gibson in the past and now 2 Doozy's

I've always wondered what PLEK actually does.

amazing machine.

[robnobcorncob]

Just does automatically what a skilled luthier, look it up mate!, look it up mate! can do manually. Pretty cool but pretty much a cost saving initiative, or bringing the setup quality of lower end guitars up, ie. ones that normally wouldn't get a nice fret dress.

It has been proven that a good luthier can "out PLEK a PLEK" but in terms of cost saving.... have you looked into what a PLEK machine costs? That's a LOT of PLEK'd guitars before it pays for itself.

[Glacial Pace]

Cool wee video, I have to ask if Gibson uses the same level of detail when PLEKing their guitars, you still seem to hear about nuts incorrectly cut etc. Maybe their QC isn't as stringent or maybe people like to look for faults in Gibson guitars.

[robnobcorncob]

Yeah, hence why it's only big companies using them. Economies of scales and all that.

Some of the bigger repair shops in the USA use the "basic" model which I'm sure costs an arm and a leg too.

[Slowy]

I was handed the Martin attached to this tag and told it was one of their new Plek'd models. It was their cheapest solid wood offering.
Possibly the best playing of-the-peg Martin I've met. Compared it to a D28 and a couple of other $4k models. Was nicer to play.
I'm sure Linda Manzer and James Olson don't need a Plek machine but you could have half a dozen Martins for the same money and be 3 years younger when you got them.
I'm sold.

[Molly]

The precision of these machines is incredible. Their ability to analyse within 100th of a mm is far more precise than I imagine any builder could manage. Apparently Gibson preload the neck to represent string tension before applying the PLEK. Don't think the Duesenberg example does that.

Doesn't matter what the motives are. It's the outcome that counts. It's just another example of a machine doing a job better and more consistently than a person. Modern guitars are full of such examples.

[jeremyb]

IT TAKES THE SOUL OF THE INSTRUMENT AWAY!

[null_pointer]

IT TAKES THE SOUL OF THE INSTRUMENT AWAY!

Anthropomorphism at its finest!

[willow13]

IT TAKES THE SOUL OF THE INSTRUMENT AWAY!

but taking valves out of an amp doesn't

[druz15]

Cool wee video, I have to ask if Gibson uses the same level of detail when PLEKing their guitars, you still seem to hear about nuts incorrectly cut etc. Maybe their QC isn't as stringent or maybe people like to look for faults in Gibson guitars.

PLEKing doesn't touch the nut if I'm not mistaken. It's to do with the frets all being level. They can be level and a nut can still be badly cut by a person in a factory

[GrantB]

My experience with Plek'd guitars is the frets still need finishing. They are not polished properly and the edges are overlooked.

[robnobcorncob]

My experience with Plek'd guitars is the frets still need finishing. They are not polished properly and the edges are overlooked.

Agreed, 100% !

[Glacial Pace]

Cool wee video, I have to ask if Gibson uses the same level of detail when PLEKing their guitars, you still seem to hear about nuts incorrectly cut etc. Maybe their QC isn't as stringent or maybe people like to look for faults in Gibson guitars.

PLEKing doesn't touch the nut if I'm not mistaken. It's to do with the frets all being level. They can be level and a nut can still be badly cut by a person in a factory

Isn't the nut being cut in that video at about 9:40ish?

[Conway]

My experience with Plek'd guitars is the frets still need finishing. They are not polished properly and the edges are overlooked.

That would no doubt be guitars starting with G.

Suhr pleked frets are immaculate. The Dueseys I've met have been pretty good too.

[Molly]

And PRS non-PLEKed frets manage to be perfect so that says summut.