Plek pro - is it worth $299?

[DanAdams]

I don't know of any high end instrument maker that uses "fresh wood" to make their instruments.

Fine, Fresh-ish.
Tone wood people sometimes talk about moisture content % and/or other stuff that happens after 20 years or whatever that makes a vintage bass better.
Wood changes. frets stay stable as wood dries further... or maybe hydrates more in Florida.
Most of my point is about developing a personal relation to the instrument, but if wood will change with a climate shift (and it will (Florida!)) the first year shift will be the most prominent.

 

[ariwax]

Why would you need to Plek a new MIA Fender? And why would you spend $300 on a fret level if you don’t know it even needs it?

Honestly, Sweetwater already does a multi-point inspection, and they accept returns without a hassle. If I take a brand-new AmPro II out of the box and it needs $300 worth of work before it’s how I like it, then I am just putting it back in the box and sending it back. Life is too short for that noise.

 

[2F/2F]

Why would you need to Plek a new MIA Fender? And why would you spend $300 on a fret level if you don’t know it even needs it?

Honestly, Sweetwater already does a multi-point inspection, and they accept returns without a hassle. If I take a brand-new AmPro II out of the box and it needs $300 worth of work before it’s how I like it, then I am just putting it back in the box and sending it back. Life is too short for that noise.

Exactly.

 

[birminghambass]

I own 7 USA Fenders. 1 is PLEKed. It's definitely the best playing bass I own.

 

[BlueTalon]

Fine, Fresh-ish.
Tone wood people sometimes talk about moisture content % and/or other stuff that happens after 20 years or whatever that makes a vintage bass better.
Wood changes. frets can "extend" as wood dries further.
Most of my point is about developing a personal relation to the instrument, but if wood will change with a climate shift (and it will (Florida!)) the first year shift will be the most prominent.

I imagine living in a humid environment would possibly change my perspective on things. But most high end guitar makers let their wood settle and dry for years before using it.

Mike Lull's perspective informs mine. He PLEK'd all his newly built instruments (his sons still do) before selling them. That way, they start off as perfect as they can possibly be, fret-wise. (Lull is not the only high end guitar maker that PLEKs their new instruments.) When I had him build my Warmoth 3-pickup jazz, I had him PLEK it as part of the assembly and set-up. When I went to go pick it up and played it for the first time, it was breathtaking -- I could literally pay faster than I ever could before, because the neck was just that perfect. I spent so little energy fighting the instrument, I had so much more energy available to focus just on playing. It made a believer out of me, and I wouldn't hesitate to do it again.

 

[bdplaid]

I have several high end guitars and basses but my Sandberg, delivered with a factory Plek setup, is easily the best playing of the lot, so on that basis I’d recommend it.

Same here.

 

[DanAdams]

I imagine living in a humid environment would possibly change my perspective on things. But most high end guitar makers let their wood settle and dry for years before using it.

Mike Lull's perspective informs mine. He PLEK'd all his newly built instruments (his sons still do) before selling them. That way, they start off as perfect as they can possibly be, fret-wise. (Lull is not the only high end guitar maker that PLEKs their new instruments.) When I had him build my Warmoth 3-pickup jazz, I had him PLEK it as part of the assembly and set-up. When I went to go pick it up and played it for the first time, it was breathtaking -- I could literally pay faster than I ever could before, because the neck was just that perfect. I spent so little energy fighting the instrument, I had so much more energy available to focus just on playing. It made a believer out of me, and I wouldn't hesitate to do it again.

I'm ALSO pro plek. I think it'a fabulous method; analysis of a neck at full string tension can not be done with traditional luthier fret jobs.
I just think that doing it on a brand new bass that was manufactured in a place, then sold and pleked in another place, and then shipped to owner in a different place is not the finest way to ensure a perfect fret job.
If absolute precision is desired, then wait a year and plek it locally.

 

[Water buffalo]

There is so much disinformation regarding Plek machines, I had a customer tell me that you can build a guitar by using a Plek machine.

I'm an old school builder, that being said I have learned to appreciate modern technology. I am a partner in a start up guitar company and we recently purchased our first cnc. I have worked with cnc's before and while I love being a custom builder, the fact is if you're going to be profitable on a large scale, you have to use cncs.

Now for the Plek. I have no experience with them, I do have an apprentice who has gone on to work with another established guitar company (I couldn't be prouder!) and his job is installation of the nut and frets and operating the companies Plek machine. In addition I look at Nashville's Joe Glaser, who was one of the first owners of a Plek machine in the US. Joe Glaser is an amazing luthier/repair tech and he has been an huge proponent of the PLek machine. If Joe Glaser likies it and endorses it, there must be something to it.

My apprentice likes the machine, but at the same time acknowledges that it may be overkill when it comes to new instruments. I look at it this way, if everything is constructed correctly there should be no need for a Plek machine (this is my words YMMV).

I do believe that is a pretty amazing machine, but in my humble opinion it comes down to bragging rights for new guitar companies to have them... "Everyone of our guitars has been PLek'd before being shipped!".

Again, just my opinion. If having your bass Plek'd works for you I'm in total agreement.

 

[BlueTalon]

I'm ALSO pro plek. I think it'a fabulous method; analysis of a neck at full string tension can not be done with traditional luthier fret jobs.
I just think that doing it on a brand new bass that was manufactured in a place, then sold and pleked in another place, and then shipped to owner in a different place is not the finest way to ensure a perfect fret job.
If absolute precision is desired, then wait a year and plek it locally.

It's the finest way to ensure a perfect fret job at the beginning of a bass's life. For companies such as Lull, it makes sense to PLEK their new instruments since they already have the machine sitting there. If you're buying a bass from a place such as Sweetwater, I can see the rationale behind waiting -- especially if the price isn't already built into the cost of the instrument.

 

[Kubicki Fan]

I imagine living in a humid environment would possibly change my perspective on things. But most high end guitar makers let their wood settle and dry for years before using it.

Mike Lull's perspective informs mine. He PLEK'd all his newly built instruments (his sons still do) before selling them. That way, they start off as perfect as they can possibly be, fret-wise. (Lull is not the only high end guitar maker that PLEKs their new instruments.) When I had him build my Warmoth 3-pickup jazz, I had him PLEK it as part of the assembly and set-up. When I went to go pick it up and played it for the first time, it was breathtaking -- I could literally pay faster than I ever could before, because the neck was just that perfect. I spent so little energy fighting the instrument, I had so much more energy available to focus just on playing. It made, a believer out of me, and I wouldn't hesitate to do it again.

On a brand new Stingray special, and these come with roasted maple necks, fret sprout happened, the first winter. I think it is overkill to plek a brand new pro level instrument. Now, a few years later, the neck proved stable. I'd consider to plek, now.

 

[Turnaround]

A decent luthier or tech can do as good a job for half the price. Consider how much of the cost of a plek job goes toward the purchase cost of the machine (in excess of $90,000), the training of the operators, the cost of maintenance, etc.

 

[J Wilson]

I live in Nashville, and indeed Glaser Instruments was an early endorser of PLEK (and I believe Gibson uses one now), I would far prefer a first-rate technician (and I'm fortunate that there are more than few here in Nashville) to see after my basses.

 

[60bass]

A PLEK is a machine and will only be as good as the person who's operating it. Consider this. IMO, stock Fender specs are not optimal for playability. They are designed to allow a decent out of the box experience and to cover a range of defects that might occur when producing the bass. I always need to do some work to any bass I buy to attain what I desire to be my ideal setup. Which I'll tell you is far away from stock Fender specs as far as relief and string height.

Suppose the operator of the PLEK just dials in the stock Fender specs which would probably be already loaded in the machine. That would give me a bass that plays great but using *stock* specs which don't work for what I like. For me unless the operator was able to properly translate my preferences to the machine. A PLEK would be a waste of money. IIRC the original usage for a PLEK machine was for manufacturers to assure every product they produce is set to and meets their standards. PLEK is a perfect tool for that usage.

Independent PLEK may or may not be great depending on the skill of the operator. The more the operator does the better they become. Working on a wider range of instruments brings the skillsets needed. I've read opinions online where Luthiers have noted that they prefer doing it by hand. touch, and feel. Also, cheaper than a PLEK too. Would I possibly try it? That depends, maybe on an older instrument that's been played and needs work in multiple areas as the PLEK can compensate for those differences (again, provided the operator is good). Not on a new instrument. It should be good to go with possibly only minor work needed. That could be done for less than the cost of a PLEK job. Even if you were to consider the cost of the PLEK on a medium level instrument where it might possibly be needed. It's still cost prohibitive for entry to mid level instruments.

Just my .02

 

[MultiScaleMale]

I'd get the bass first and make sure it's what you want. Not sure, but I doubt the PLEK job would be refundable if you return the instrument. Make sure you like the bass and look for a PLEK locally.

 

[retslock]

I'm looking into buying an Am Pro II P bass from Sweetwater and they are offering Plek pro for $299. Is it worth it?

View attachment 5445026

I just had a high fret lowered, some soldering redone, rod and pickup height adjustment, shim replaced and action set-up all done beautifully by a human for less than that and I can’t imagine plek would give me a better result.

 

[RVRSCO]

Ona brand new American made instrument, I don’t think $299 for a plek is worth it. However, if your buying something like a Sterling Ray 34 or other overseas mass produced instruments, the plek is a great way to ensure that it comes to you nice playing shape.

 

[KenD]

Now much would a qualified guitar tech in your area charge to do a fret dressing? You would have to have the bass in hand to know if it actually needs fret work of any kind.

 

[bobdabilder]

A new bass should not need fretwork. A bass that's been played for 4 or 5 years, yes, probably worth it to me.

I'm looking into buying an Am Pro II P bass from Sweetwater and they are offering Plek pro for $299. Is it worth it?

View attachment 5445026

 

[BigBadBen67]

I'm looking into buying an Am Pro II P bass from Sweetwater and they are offering Plek pro for $299. Is it worth it?

View attachment 5445026

I would say yes, especially if you need it. I have an AmPro jazz I almost got rid of because the frets were wonky. I had Sweetwater plek it and was surprised how well it turned out

 

[MVE]

Any competent tech should be able to level and dress the frets well enough to allow the action to be low enough not to buzz.

A really nice shiny polished fret is more important to me.