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I had my 1978 GB10 Plek'd by Hugh Thomas at 13th Street guitars in Huntington Beach, CA.
Magnificent. Can't imagine the guitar playing any better. Totally worth it.
It is my only Plek experience but I think it all comes down to how well the machine is maintained, how good the programmer is and the post Plek setup.
Hugh comes highly reccomended.
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04-28-2020 12:29 PM
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To praise (or condemn) the PLEK is like praising nails hammered by a particular brand of hammer, or an amp powered through a particular type of AC cord.
You still need a non-idiot at the controls.
The PLEK can do ONE THING, and one thing only, better than a reasonably skilled luthier. That is to fix a VERY UNUSUAL and specific problem that results in a VERY different neck profile under string (and trussrod) tension vs. under no tension.
Under those VERY UNUSUAL conditions, the PLEK reigns supreme (with a non-moron at the controls).
Under most normal conditions, you are 99.999999% in the hands of the luthier in question, whether he uses a PLEK or a 40 year old mill file.
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Please explain this more I am completely lost in what you describe the plec does that reigns over the luthier? Certainly it can sight down a neck and make instant measurement that I assume are highly accurate. Again in this information and what do you do with it? Truss rod under tension means what? How much tension does the truss rod have on it with no strings? How much tension does the truss rod apply when turning it tighter or looser.
Originally Posted by Bezoeker
I am asking because I just dont understand how the plec wins in such limited cases. I like examples and specifics.
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Hi, Originally Posted by deacon Mark
In general, string tension and truss rod action balance each other.
So the way you or I would, see a set of frets under string and truss rod tension is very very close to how you or I would see a set of frets layed bare and ready for dressing/leveling/crowning.
In such a case I am 100% convinced that you can level a set of frets easily within a range of accuracy needed for superb playing.
And in my view this is overwhelmingly the situation the majority of the time.
But...
Now and then a given neck will react to the combination of string tension and truss rod action that results in an artifact that is not seen with no strings on the guitar.
For example, the neck may twist slightly under the combined tension and truss action resulting in a relief difference on one side of the neck vs the other.
In another example, the neck can have a slight “S” bend under tension that is not there under no tension.
As I am sure you have done, an experienced luthier can note these differences and compensate when leveling the frets for what you have observed to be the actual condition under string tension.
But the PLEK can do this with absurd accuracy since it adjusts each fret individually with no regard for the relationship of one fret to the rest when the neck is under no tension.
Under most conditions this is all but inconsequential in my opinion, and even under some twist and S-bend conditions an experienced and ethically-working luthier can do a truly great job.
But there are some necks with unusual artifacts that benefit to an incredible extent from a system like the PLEK that measures the situation under tension, and then works each fret individually based on the measurements under tension - even if the neck under no tension looks far different.
This is not me purporting to be speaking the ultimate truth. I am just explaining my view in detail in response to your question.
EDIT: It also explains why one player/guitar may find the PLEK job done by a very skilled and caring operator to be a miraculous improvement, while for another player/guitar the results can be seemingly no better than a decent manual job.
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I mentioned here a while back that I got a Dean telecaster from Good Will for $130. Judging by the headstock logo, it's a '90's model and although it has a few nicks in the finish, it looks like it was rarely played (only knocked around?) - has no fretware to speak of. Don't know what pickups it has but they sound good.
The only issue it had was a loose input jack, which I fixed, and the action was too high. When it was lowered to where I like it, the strings buzzed at the higher frets. I asked my local guitar tech about it and he said the upper frets were not level and the guitar would be a prime candidate for a Plek job.
I really like this guitar but what gave me pause is that the Plek job would cost about twice as much as I paid for it. However, my local luthier was having a winter special on setup services so I figured, what the heck, may as well go for it.
Final verdict: I'm glad I had the guitar plekked, the action is great now, intonation is good all over the fingerboard, and it even stays in tune better. But as I said, this guitar was a good candidate for Plek, and it was done by an experienced luthier.
This is the patient [poor pic of it though]:
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I'm 100% sure that the best luthiers will do better by hand.
best fret work i've ever seen is Fitzgerald guitars on long island.
his work is plain-and-simple superior to what you get from a plek. no comparison.
but, few people have access to someone of this skill level. So i understand the practical application for plek work.
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Well, it's a tool, results will vary depending on who is using it - like the guitar itself. Originally Posted by Groooooove
But call me skeptical about the Sweetwater type promotions, which imply that every factory-made guitar can benefit from a Plek job.
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Bandmates have 2 instruments that were Plek'ed (a brand new Fender Jazz Bass and a lightly used Custom Shop Collins Tele) and needed redos immediately afterward to make them playable. The bass still had enough fret material left for a luthier to do a traditional job and make it right with a shim in the pocket. The Strat needed a refret and now plays OK, but just OK. He let a local shop do it, and it could be far better. I think it's abundantly clear that it takes great knowledge, skill and experience to get great results from a Plek machine.
Being Plek'ed is not a guarantee of a quality job. A great Plek job is outstanding, but so is the hand work of many talented luthiers. Either way, you need to know how happy their customers are with their work. It's very helpful to get to play (or at least see) a few examples of the finished work before committing. Marc Tappan at Guitars 'n Jazz has done great work for me on my archtops and my 7 string Tele (with SS frets) by hand.
I've been surprised at the marginal work that's accepted by so many guitarists and bassists. If I took a brand new 4 figure instrument to a shop for Plek'ing and it was returned to me with fret buzz and with the saddle height adjusting screws out and the saddles on the plate, I'd have demanded that they replace it. At the very least, they should have replaced the neck with a brand new OEM neck and set it up properly. The owner (who was the bass player in the blues band with which I played for over 15 years) took it to a luthier who shimmed the neck, redid the frets,and put the screws back into the saddles. Not acceptable.......
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I don't know why anyone would even do that, if a brand new guitar had obvious deficiencies, I'd return it, not expect that a set up, and especially not a Plek job, would correct them. Originally Posted by nevershouldhavesoldit
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Pleking a guitar is sort of like using AI. I understand if all set up correctly and done by someone who knows the machine they are very good. That said I will still dress frets and do them as I have always done. New technology does have better tools and set up material so that is great. What I believe the plek cannot do is think like myself. That does not mean I am the best fret dresser in the world because frankly that is like anything else. The more you do the better you get. I know so legendary names that do wonderful work.
As a thinker in the process and player I can adjust some things to account and get the neck buzz free. The major goal of all fret dressing is to take of the absolute minimum of fret material while getting the action and playing perfect. It starts at the nut which must be done correctly so the clearance on the 1st fret is correct. Then you look at where the truss rod covers the neck and the fingerboard extension. Plek them if you want but that is crazy expensive and I would say not as good as the best luthiers. I believe they are cheaper for a fret dressing.
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What did the Plek job run you? If you don't mind me asking...
Cause here where I live there's a local store that has a Plek machine, and they charge $250.00
Arnie..
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This video was interesting. The skilled techs setup seemed to be preferred over the Plek’d one, in a blind test.
I had a guitar plek’d once and didn’t find it very good, so the machine by itself is not the only factor as to whether it works well.
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$260 (twice the price of the guitar). That was 20% off their usual price, which would have been more than I'm willing to pay - things are expensive here in CA. Originally Posted by arnie65
The frets actually don't look any different, guess I should have taken before and after pictures. You could be right, a fret dressing may have fixed it for less money. If it hadn't turned out well, I'd be kicking myself. Originally Posted by deacon Mark
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With the right tools, fret dressing is not a difficult job. Patience is needed.
But, the job will be easier if you have:
The correct truss rod key,
Large flat level,
Marker pen,
Long flat diamond file,
Fret Crowning diamond file,
Fret end diamond file.
A range of fret polishing cloths.
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It seems to me that the main value of the Plek system is repeatability and consistency, which makes it best suited to high volume contexts such as a factory or a very large repair shop (e.g., a warranty service center for multiple manufacturers, or a set-up center for an import brand). From what I understand it can also (at least hypothetically) be better at minimizing removal of fret material and achieving decent playability on guitars that have significant neck issues (e.g., twists, maxxed out truss rods, etc.). But the for the majority of situations, it's unclear to me whether its greater precision offers any advantages over a regular manual fret job by a skilled luthier. I'm in NYC, which has tons of luthiers and instrument shops. SFAIK, nobody here Pleks. The one shop that did moved out of the City a few years ago. I think that's telling us something about how worthwhile it is.
This is all with the caveat that I haven't had a guitar Plekked, and maybe the difference is more significant than I realize. But a few years ago, I started doing my own leveling and crowning, so I think I have some insight. A basic level/crown job is not very difficult to do well, takes a small investment in tools, and for someone who does a lot of it it doesn't take very long. For me, a Plek job (especially if it's more expensive than a manual luthier job) is a tough sell.
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Where in CA are you? i had my PRS Special semi hollow 22 pleked Mainly cause it needed a fret job, i put alot of hours on it as well so i figured what the heck.. It was by this guy Chad from Inland Empire guitars, he moved back east now and was great.. Anyway, ya it was 250 but he knows how to use that machine. played alot better than before. i heard those guys have to go back to Germany sometimes for training. Originally Posted by Mick-7
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I'd add a notched straight edge and fret rocker to that list, and swap a leveling beam and sandpaper for the long flat file. You also need to have the basic set-up tool kit (string action ruler/gauge, fret rocker, notched straight edge, feeler gauges, maybe nut/saddle files). Also, you don't really need diamond files unless you're doing a large volume of work. For the person doing a level/crown job here and there on his/her own guitars, steel files will last pretty much forever. Originally Posted by GuyBoden
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Originally Posted by GuyBoden
I listed the tools I have used many times to dress frets over many years. Obviously, you can buy more tools than this. Originally Posted by John A.
Yes, sandpaper taped or even glued onto the bottom of the levelling beam will work, but a long flat diamond file is the better option.
When I was a teenager in the 1970's, to dress my frets, I glued sandpaper to a pane of window glass from my Dad's garage. Then used that as a levelling beam/sander (window glass is nearly always flat).
I'll say this again, with the right tools, fret dressing is not a difficult job. But, patience is needed.
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Edit: I don't think PLEK could do tapered frets, that's when frets get gradually lower nearer the end of the fretboard.
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It was done by: yelp.com Originally Posted by jazzgtrl4
I've been very satisfied with all their work, they've had the Plek machine for over 10 years. Before I found them I had a bad experience with the luthier that does the setups for the local music store, Bananas At Large. The guy builds solid-body guitars, after my experience with him, I wouldn't think of buying one of them.
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Whatever works works. Originally Posted by GuyBoden
I listed the tools I have used many times to dress frets over many years. Obviously, you can buy more tools than this.
Yes, sandpaper taped or even glued onto the bottom of the levelling beam will work, but a long flat diamond file is the better option.
I'm all for transparency Originally Posted by GuyBoden
Agreed. Originally Posted by GuyBoden
FWIW, I have this:
https://www.stewmac.com/luthier-tool...Uap2grwNmkSvyl
I got the 18" and 9" one as a kit on sale. It works very well.Last edited by John A.; 01-26-2026 at 05:16 PM.
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A PLEK can cut tapered or fallawy frets with precision, it just needs to right operator who understand the outcome. Originally Posted by GuyBoden
Here in Austin we have Danny. A long-time skilled fret technician and a decade with a PLEK machine (2 of them now), 1000s of PLEK jobs and a backlog of discerning clients and you nearly always get the optimized initial setup. And if you get guitars refretted, it gives them a perfect silky start. He has PLEKD several of my guitars and basses. Myself as a guitar tech for too many years to count, I would trust any instrument of any value to a PLEK with Danny. I have had exceptional results and recommend it often. Major chain stores and such, I would never pay for it< it can get bad as you have no idea of the history or skill of the operator... even if you understand frtes, but not the machin and software, you can ruin necks.
A major difference between a PLEK and luthier in the intial fret cutting phase is that PLEK cuts frets under precise string pressure. With some instruments, this is a massive advantage.
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I had my first and only plek done on this guitar. It was completed by Lull guitars, one of the finest shops in the NW. The result was a night and day difference. The guitar practically played itself. I was floored by how well it played.
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Congrats! When done right there is nothing like a PLEKd instrument. And dang...what a handsome guitar! Originally Posted by 2bornot2bop
I had my first and only plek done on this guitar. It was completed by Lull guitars, one of the finest shops in the NW. The result was a night and day difference. The guitar practically played itself. I was floored by how well it played.
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When I bought my Les Paul in 2013 I noticed that Gibson copy read that the nut was pleked. It said nothing about the fretboard. I knew when I bought it that it would have to be set up, including a fret level, matching the radius of the nut, board and bridge saddles.
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