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05-06-2010, 07:48 AM
|  | Registered User | | | | | Plek vs. Conventional fret dressing
Anybody have any experience with having a neck Plek'd?
I gather that this may be a more precise set up.
Who would you recommend for plecking (preferably on the east coast)?
Approx how much?
Do you send the bass or just the neck?
Is there an advantage to one method over the other? |
05-06-2010, 02:50 PM
| | Registered User
Chunger basses by Studio 939 | | Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Albany, CA | | | I believe all of the new production Lakland Skyline basses are Plek'd. If there's a dealer in your area, you might be able to check one of those out. |
05-06-2010, 03:04 PM
|  | Registered User | | Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Canada. | | | check the Lakeland website. Great video on PleK. |
05-06-2010, 03:08 PM
|  | Registered User | | Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Portland Area, ME | | | My guitarist got his Les Paul plek'd. It was insane how much better it played.
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05-06-2010, 03:27 PM
|  | Could be a massive idiot... | | Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Lockhart, TX | | One thing to remember about the PLEK machine, is that it was created to correct the less than stellar fretwork found on most mass-produced instruments. So obviously, this depends highly on the instrument.
American Fender? Absolutely.
Lakland Skyline (if they weren't already)? Absolutely.
Would I have a Roscoe/MTD/Pedulla/Ritter/Elrick PLEK'd? Never.
Why? Because some of the most skilled hands in the biz are fretting these basses. There's no reason to fix what ain't broken.
Why do you think the US Laklands aren't PLEK'd?  |
05-06-2010, 03:31 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Minnesota - Twin Cities | | | I've had one Plekd.. worth it
Can be done traditionall this is if the guy is an artist at the craft.
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05-06-2010, 03:51 PM
| | Registered User
Physician CSR, Park Surgical Co INC | | Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Brooklyn, NY | | | how much does a PLEK and setup ussually cost?
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05-06-2010, 07:17 PM
|  | Registered User
I setup & repair guitars & basses | | Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Kensington, Ca | | | My method of level/recrowns, with the neck adjusted as straight as it will get, with the strings on, and tuned, also "removes minimal material", produces great results, and doesn't require a six-figure machine to do it.
For production situations, I can see where a plek machine would be
cost effective: slam the frets in, and let the machine do the rest.
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Instrument repair/setup, Bay area
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05-06-2010, 08:46 PM
|  | Less barking, more wagging! | | Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: San Diego, CA | | | Where's Kensington, CA? |
05-07-2010, 08:15 AM
|  | Registered User | | Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Philadelphia | | | I've never sent a bass in for Plek treatment, but I might send in my Jazz V this summer. I have two G&L's that have Plek-levelled frets from the factory, and the playability is phenomenal. My MIA Fenders are excellent, especially my 2003 Jazz four, but the G&L's are better. I've tried Lakland Skyline models with factory Plek treatment, and they felt similar to my G&L's.
I cannot believe Fender hasn't adopted the Plek for its U.S. made basses.
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05-07-2010, 09:44 AM
| | Registered User
I setup & repair guitars & basses | | Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Kensington, Ca | | Quote:
Originally Posted by Jazzdogg  Where's Kensington, CA? | Just north of Berkeley, east of El Cerrito.
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Instrument repair/setup, Bay area
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05-07-2010, 10:40 AM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Canada. | | Quote:
Originally Posted by RTL One thing to remember about the PLEK machine, is that it was created to correct the less than stellar fretwork found on most mass-produced instruments. So obviously, this depends highly on the instrument.
American Fender? Absolutely.
Lakland Skyline (if they weren't already)? Absolutely.
Would I have a Roscoe/MTD/Pedulla/Ritter/Elrick PLEK'd? Never.
Why? Because some of the most skilled hands in the biz are fretting these basses. There's no reason to fix what ain't broken.
Why do you think the US Laklands aren't PLEK'd? | Are they not?. Check out the plek video on the lakland website. I am no expert but was assuming they were. |
05-07-2010, 10:51 AM
| | Could be a massive idiot... | | Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Lockhart, TX | | Quote:
Originally Posted by Randall Are they not?. Check out the plek video on the lakland website. I am no expert but was assuming they were. | The US Laklands aren't PLEK'd because they don't need to be. The guys fretting the instruments in Chicago are incredibly skilled and are able to take their time and do it right the first time. The Skylines aren't given the same treatment, which is why they have to employ the machine. |
05-07-2010, 11:07 AM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Canada. | | | According to the lakeland website all basses are pleked now. When they made this change I do not know. |
05-08-2010, 01:30 PM
| | Registered User | | | | | All good stuff boys but the question remains:
Who do you call for an independant Plek job and about how much does it cost? |
05-08-2010, 01:37 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Cambria, CA (Central Coast) | | The Plek web site ( www.plek.com) has a list of places that will do the job for you.
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05-08-2010, 01:44 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Bedford, Virginia | | i know mike lull will, i think its about $200. check his website: http://www.mikelull.com/
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05-08-2010, 01:52 PM
|  | Hey Ho, lets go!
Endorsing Artist: Spector Basses Spector Strings | | Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Washington DC,Silver Spring,MD | | | Philtone
On the East coast I recommend Phil Jacoby at Philtone guitars. A PLEK machine is a great tool and, in the hands of a great luthier, produces Stellar results. Cost is about $160.00 and worth every penny. Phil does outstanding work. http://philtone.com/ I have had 4 basses PLEKKED. It just lends an incredible buttery beautiful feeling neck. And yes you do have to send the bass cause the machine does it's thing while the strings are on and in tune.
Last edited by Mr.Bassie720 : 05-08-2010 at 01:56 PM.
Reason: content
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05-08-2010, 04:08 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: D'Shaw | | Quote:
Originally Posted by Mr.Bassie720 the machine does it's thing while the strings are on and in tune. | It scans with the strings on and at tension but then the strings are removed for the actual work.
Say I get a bass Plekked with a particular set of strings. Since it's reportedly so precise and obviously dependent on the tension of the strings on the bass when it's scanned, will changing string gauge, brand or type mess with the Pleking? What about seasonal or climatic changes during touring?
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05-08-2010, 04:21 PM
| | Banned | | Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Stouffville, Ontario | | Quote:
Originally Posted by Randall According to the lakeland website all basses are pleked now. When they made this change I do not know. | That's great to know. Anyone knows when they started pleking? Is it only this year?
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