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PLEK
- Thread starter gfh218
- Start date
Yes on an $1100 Ibanez bass, and I'll probably do it again if I order another nicer bass from them.
My reason is simple: the closest Plek'r to me is multiple hours away. So really, it was do it at-order or probably never.
Although I'll never know what the bass was like pre-plek, I will also never wonder how it'd feel being plek'd. I'm in love with the instrument I got, and that's all that matters to me
That said, if I didn't have a rep I've worked with plenty and knew he'd handle anything I run into, I might be a bit more iffy to order blindly.
My reason is simple: the closest Plek'r to me is multiple hours away. So really, it was do it at-order or probably never.
Although I'll never know what the bass was like pre-plek, I will also never wonder how it'd feel being plek'd. I'm in love with the instrument I got, and that's all that matters to me
That said, if I didn't have a rep I've worked with plenty and knew he'd handle anything I run into, I might be a bit more iffy to order blindly.
Not by Sweetwater. I have a Duesenberg, they PLEK all units. And had a guitar done. There’s a PLEK in town and I’m planning to send a MM bass there. It’s worth it in my opinion but my opinion is worthless so do that math. I’d do it again. Not sure if your question is regarding Sweetwater vs anyone else. It’s basically a numerically controlled tool so there’s no trust factor. Do it.
Not by Sweetwater, but by Keith Roscoe. I have an older Roscoe and it improved the playability quite a bit. Of course any new Roscoe will be Plek'd as well. He will do any basses, not just Roscoe.
Turnaround
Commercial User
It’s not the machine you have to trust, it’s the operator. The machine is entirely capable of very accurately messing up your bass.
As a former CNC programmer and machine tool setup minion, an automatic tool is only as good as the work holding set up and the operator who runs it. While they are capable of amazing accuracy and production numbers, if the setup is off or tool feeds, speeds or kerf are not right, you wind up being a high volume scrap generator. Success with a numerically controlled tool relies on a combination of machine in proper trim, a good setup of your work holding fixtures, and a competent operator.
The guy who did mine locally does the work for Collings guitars. He’s the best luthier in Austin.
I would have to ask why a new instrument (with the possible exception of an entry level one) would need to have a PLEK. If it doesn't come from factory with good fret work and a properly cut nut, why buy it? The other aspects of a setup have a degree of personal preference to them. Is Sweetwater taking that into account? Will the bass need to be re-adjusted after shipping and acclimating to your house, studio, etc?
RE basses not needing setup. With limited exceptions, mass produced instruments just don’t have that level of QC
PLEK vs local luthier set up is really more of the question if you ask me.
PLEK vs local luthier set up is really more of the question if you ask me.
Correct me if I am wrong but I thought PLEK was mostly fret work and nut work. I understand if the action or the relief isn't set from the factory, but on anything other than an entry level bass, I would expect the fret work to be good. I know factories often leave nuts cut a little high but adjusting the nut is a lot less expensive than getting a PLEK.
You are correct, I find most basses (my MTD a notable exception) need a little bit of nut or fret work to be perfect
Power tools can facilitate doing a lot of damage very quickly.
One of my favorite all time quotes is from Aristotle: It is the mark of an educated mind to rest satisfied with the degree of precision which the nature of the subject admits and not to seek exactness where only an approximation is possible.
Sometimes minor compromises have to be made to achieve the best of both worlds in fretwork and setup, and I believe a skilled and experienced hand is better able to make these decisions, compared to a pre-programmed milling machine.
One of my favorite all time quotes is from Aristotle: It is the mark of an educated mind to rest satisfied with the degree of precision which the nature of the subject admits and not to seek exactness where only an approximation is possible.
Sometimes minor compromises have to be made to achieve the best of both worlds in fretwork and setup, and I believe a skilled and experienced hand is better able to make these decisions, compared to a pre-programmed milling machine.
