Number8 Posted December 5, 2013 Posted December 5, 2013 Backstory: I bought an Eagle in early 2013 and immediately brought it to the Chicago Fret Works to be set-up. This is a highly respected place that only does guitar repairs and service (http://www.chicagofretworks.com/). I paid $100 to have the "Works" done: "The Works includes precision level, re-crown and polish of your instruments frets along with complete set-up of truss rod, string height (action) and intonation. This work will minimize fret buzz, eliminate fret pitting and divits, and improve your overall tone! The whole instrument will be cleaned and polished and all hardware and electronics inspected, cleaned, and lubed." They did a really nice job and the improvements compared to how the guitar was set up when it was first delivered were significant. Nonetheless, it was still the most challenging of my Heritage guitars to play (I have two Prospects, a Millie and a 445). Following 1) the purchase of a newly Plek'ed G&L and 2) Hangar18's post on Plek'ing, I decided to take it to the Music Gallery in Highland Park, IL (http://www.musicgalleryinc.com/) to have to it Plek'ed ($225). The G&L, and now this Eagle are the easiest of my guitars to play, even with 12s on the Eagle. I will be taking my Prospects and my Millie there for the same treatment in the future. So that's my contribution to the debate over manual set-up vs. Plek; two plek'ed guitars and two positive experiences.
Guest HRB853370 Posted December 5, 2013 Posted December 5, 2013 Backstory: I bought an Eagle in early 2013 and immediately brought it to the Chicago Fret Works to be set-up. This is a highly respected place that only does guitar repairs and service (http://www.chicagofretworks.com/). I paid $100 to have the "Works" done: "The Works includes precision level, re-crown and polish of your instruments frets along with complete set-up of truss rod, string height (action) and intonation. This work will minimize fret buzz, eliminate fret pitting and divits, and improve your overall tone! The whole instrument will be cleaned and polished and all hardware and electronics inspected, cleaned, and lubed." They did a really nice job and the improvements compared to how the guitar was set up when it was first delivered were significant. Nonetheless, it was still the most challenging of my Heritage guitars to play (I have two Prospects, a Millie and a 445). Following 1) the purchase of a newly Plek'ed G&L and 2) Hangar18's post on Plek'ing, I decided to take it to the Music Gallery in Highland Park, IL (http://www.musicgalleryinc.com/) to have to it Plek'ed ($225). The G&L, and now this Eagle are the easiest of my guitars to play, even with 12s on the Eagle. I will be taking my Prospects and my Millie there for the same treatment in the future. So that's my contribution to the debate over manual set-up vs. Plek; two plek'ed guitars and two positive experiences. Aren't G&L's Plek'd at their factory? I am surprised Chicago Fret Works didn't PLEK it or offer to do so. Do you think you could have bypassed the "works" and just done the plek job and been satisfied? I have two plek's guitars-Gibson Traditional LP and my Firebird.
Number8 Posted December 5, 2013 Author Posted December 5, 2013 Aren't G&L's Plek'd at their factory? I am surprised Chicago Fret Works didn't PLEK it or offer to do so. Do you think you could have bypassed the "works" and just done the plek job and been satisfied? I have two plek's guitars-Gibson Traditional LP and my Firebird. Yes, the G&L was new so it was "newly Plek'ed". The Chicago Fret Works doesn't have a Plek machine. I went there because I was thinking that the human treatment was probably better than the automated treatment...the fact that it was less than half the cost mattered too. Based on the results, I wish I would have skipped the works and just had it Plek'ed in the first place. A good education has to cost something I suppose.
PunkKitty Posted December 5, 2013 Posted December 5, 2013 CFW doesn't have a PLEK machine. The Music Gallery is the only place in the Chicago area that does.
Vanschoyck Posted December 5, 2013 Posted December 5, 2013 My recent 175 came factory plek'd (I'm told) and it is a great player. My Buscarino is not plek'd and it's the best playing guitar I've ever had - but it also was very expensive. Considering the time and money I've spent wrestling with getting the right set up on so many guitars I've owned, I think the plek is a great thing.
HANGAR18 Posted December 5, 2013 Posted December 5, 2013 ...and 2) Hangar18's post on Plek'ing... Yay! I got more street cred now. hahahaha
Cajun Posted December 5, 2013 Posted December 5, 2013 You've plucked your Eagle??? Sorry... Couldn't resist....
HANGAR18 Posted December 5, 2013 Posted December 5, 2013 You've plucked your Eagle??? Sorry... Couldn't resist.... Nice one!
HANGAR18 Posted December 5, 2013 Posted December 5, 2013 I'm considering that 535 I got from you to maybe be next in line for a plek job.
rockabilly69 Posted December 5, 2013 Posted December 5, 2013 Both of my new Martins were plek'd at the factory, both of the new Firebirds too! All of them play well. I would like my Heritages Plek'd but there's no one local that does it.
pressure Posted December 5, 2013 Posted December 5, 2013 They know me very well at The Music Gallery. George does the PLek and final finishing on the frets, he is a nice guy to talk to. Next time you go tell them I said "HI".
Kuz Posted December 5, 2013 Posted December 5, 2013 I lucky to have a local luthier PLEK guy. Almost all my guitars have been done by him. The best $125-150/guitar money I have spent. Now that others are actually trying it and singing the PLEK praise, maybe less people will flame me for stating it's superior results!
Number8 Posted December 5, 2013 Author Posted December 5, 2013 I lucky to have a local luthier PLEK guy. Almost all my guitars have been done by him. The best $125-150/guitar money I have spent. Now that others are actually trying it and singing the PLEK praise, maybe less people will flame me for stating it's superior results! And he's only $125 per guitar? Or is it $65 for the scan + $125 for the actual Plek'ing? That's how they do it up here.
Kuz Posted December 5, 2013 Posted December 5, 2013 And he's only $125 per guitar? Or is it $65 for the scan + $125 for the actual Plek'ing? That's how they do it up here. I have given him so much business that it is usually $150 or less total.
Number8 Posted December 5, 2013 Author Posted December 5, 2013 I have given him so much business that it is usually $150 or less total. How far are you and this fella from Chicago...if I may be so bold. I'm thinking about having three done at $225 per, so savings of $75 x 3 might merit a roadtrip.
Kuz Posted December 5, 2013 Posted December 5, 2013 How far are you and this fella from Chicago...if I may be so bold. I'm thinking about having three done at $225 per, so savings of $75 x 3 might merit a roadtrip. Well, first, that is the price that I get. I think he charges around $200 for others. I am about 1hr away from my guy and he does them while I wait. You would have to factor in shipping charges (drive time would be about 7.5hrs), so I don't think you are gaining anything.
volhoo Posted December 5, 2013 Posted December 5, 2013 As with anything, the PLEK equipment is only as good as the operator. If done correctly and diligently, there is no way, in my opinion that a human could match the level of detail you get from the machine. The process needs to be followed, first scanning (under full tension) the neck for adjustments to the truss rod, then once adjusted and confirmed again that the neck is in its best possible position, another scan is done concentrating on the frets and telling the operator (in great detail) how to set-up the cutting blades to dress the frets. If done corruptly, it is then scanned again to confirm everything. I was lucky enough to see the incredible level of detail that get using this equipment and was very impressed both with the system and the results on my 535 (after I had had it set-up by a respected Luthier). I have since PLEK'd my Martin D-17 and Jay Wolfe will be PLEKing my H-150 that should be done very soon now. They charge me 250 here - and it's well worth it IMHO. Cheers - glad you are enjoying your guitar. - I really hope that Jay knows how to use the equipment as well as the folks at Westwood Music here in Los Angeles. -
Markohio2112 Posted December 6, 2013 Posted December 6, 2013 I lucky to have a local luthier PLEK guy. Almost all my guitars have been done by him. The best $125-150/guitar money I have spent. Now that others are actually trying it and singing the PLEK praise, maybe less people will flame me for stating it's superior results! Kuz, Are you talking about Steve Weber? My H150CM is going to him on the 15th.
Kuz Posted December 6, 2013 Posted December 6, 2013 Kuz, Are you talking about Steve Weber? My H150CM is going to him on the 15th. Yep, that the guy. really, good guy. Tell him John Kuziak said hello!!!
Markohio2112 Posted December 7, 2013 Posted December 7, 2013 Yep, that the guy. really, good guy. Tell him John Kuziak said hello!!! I sure will John. I'm excited about getting it done.
212Mavguy Posted December 7, 2013 Posted December 7, 2013 I wish there was a plek machine and someone in Salt Lake City to do my guitars. Right now It's below zero, too cold to consider shipping to anyone. Sigh...
rockabilly69 Posted December 9, 2013 Posted December 9, 2013 I wish there was a plek machine and someone in Salt Lake City to do my guitars. Right now It's below zero, too cold to consider shipping to anyone. Sigh... Hey Mav, It was -17 at Sundance the other day!
Guest HRB853370 Posted December 10, 2013 Posted December 10, 2013 Sounds like a good business to get into. The capital investment might be steep, but if you can charge $250 per Plek, it might be worthwhile. Wonder who makes these Plek machines and their cost!
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