So I came across this video weeks ago and decided to visit the shop for the first time. I highly recommend this process at the Music Gallery. George ran the Plek on my 1996 Tex-Mex Strat and also did a full set-up and polish. The guitar plays better now than it was when it was new and I was blown away how great it feels to play now. George and Matt took the time to answer any of my questions and just really good guys to chat with. Thank you so much!
I played a few cheaper guitars that were pleked and was impressed. When it was time to refret my strat, I decided to take it here for frets and a plek/setup and man, that guitar came alive! George did some on the spot adjustments since I have a heavy picking attack and even got a tour of the machine. When the 25 yr old maple fretboard was planed the color was off. Pete did a great job matching the tint. Smooth as glass! Highly recommend,
Great video, thanks. One of my Les Pauls clearly did not go through this process. Serves me right for not playing before buying. It was repaired under warranty.
Cool video, I've always wondered about the exact Pleking operation, or at least seeing it in action. I still hear guys saying that a skilled craftsman can do the job as well as having a guitar Plek'd. I guess they haven't seen this video, or one like it. Plek machine or not, this guy just seems like someone I'd trust to work on my instruments. The Plek machine is amazing, but I'd still rather have someone very knowledgable and experienced operating the thing, and to do the manual portions of completing the job.
Hey George a few things you did standard old school 70s and 80s 45 degree bevel on the fret end. Are you open to doing more modern less angled bevel say 15 degrees and then rounding their edges and rolling the fingerboard? Also Say I sent in a 1953 Telecaster neck with original finish. Would you take out the frets with pincer clippers or would you knock then out sideways? Since I would want to keep the finish original wouldn't all that hard knocking by the metal (brass?) probe damage my original already flakey nitro cellulose? I would want to keep the fingerboard original 7.25" radius along with the finish. If we used tall wire say 6105 Would you be be able to do a compound radius say 7.25" to 10" dress and crown on the PLEK machine?
I want to have my 2021 Gibson LP Modern PLEK'd cause I don't feel like it's 100%, but don't they have a PLEK Pro machine anyways? The problem is the closest PLEK machine to me is 12 hour drive in Vancouver
Hey Peter! We charge $225 for the Plek, an 11 step polishing process, and then setting up the guitar with your preferred brand and gauge of string. Thanks for checking out the video!
Any "off the rack" guitar will feel way better with a good fret polish and proper setup. The fact that 3 testers chose the same guitar is not necessarily a testament to the Plek machine and could have more to do with the pro hands that tend to the instrument afterwards. I'm not discrediting the Plek system, as a guitar tech I understand the process and it is without a doubt effective.
Just choose your luthier carefully. A Plek machine does not a luthier make. It's a great piece of technology but it's not within itself within a guarantee of of a good outcome. The Plek machine doesn't refinish your fingerboard if it's maple and it's needed planing. Neither does it actually refret the guitar. That is still done by the luthier. The luthier still needs to interpret the scans and make a host of decisions. MT Guitars in Perth, Western Australia just about ruined my Custom Shop Nocaster Reissue through very injudicious Plek machine use and terrible luthier skills. Do your research people.
"Everyone wants to get the lowest amount of action with the least amount of buzz". Oh really? This is the NUMBER ONE problem with almost all guitar techs. They want to impress you with low action, whether you want that or not. Almost every blues-rock great, both modern and old, like HIGHER action. But I guess the tech with experience knows better than those players. (sarc)
@@AdaptivePhenix see this "almost every" he wrote.. and no, Jeff Beck isn't primarily blues-rock player, I think he is more fusion kind of musician from '75 Blow by Blow (even earlier albums were mix of rock, soul and blues, not traditional blues rock stuff.. maybe Truth & Beckola and there were some influencies from irish, scottish folk and classic music too) album and he had no classic blues style technic of playing.. Listen to him, full discography..
The thing that really dropped my jaw for some reason was the nut-cutting! What a spectacular machine!
So I came across this video weeks ago and decided to visit the shop for the first time. I highly recommend this process at the Music Gallery. George ran the Plek on my 1996 Tex-Mex Strat and also did a full set-up and polish. The guitar plays better now than it was when it was new and I was blown away how great it feels to play now. George and Matt took the time to answer any of my questions and just really good guys to chat with. Thank you so much!
Thanks for the awesome endorsement, Rich! And thanks for trusting us with your Strat!
Hey guy. George is the greatest person and tech I have ever met. Can't wait to have him do my 50's strat project.
These guys Plek'd one of my guitars. Highly recommended.
I played a few cheaper guitars that were pleked and was impressed. When it was time to refret my strat, I decided to take it here for frets and a plek/setup and man, that guitar came alive! George did some on the spot adjustments since I have a heavy picking attack and even got a tour of the machine. When the 25 yr old maple fretboard was planed the color was off. Pete did a great job matching the tint. Smooth as glass!
Highly recommend,
Bought all my PRS guitars from them. Great shop, great guitars..t.
Wow - very informative, and what a professional George is! Thanks for sharing this, keeping Music Gallery on my list for when I need this.
Great video, thanks. One of my Les Pauls clearly did not go through this process. Serves me right for not playing before buying. It was repaired under warranty.
Cool video, I've always wondered about the exact Pleking operation, or at least seeing it in action. I still hear guys saying that a skilled craftsman can do the job as well as having a guitar Plek'd. I guess they haven't seen this video, or one like it. Plek machine or not, this guy just seems like someone I'd trust to work on my instruments. The Plek machine is amazing, but I'd still rather have someone very knowledgable and experienced operating the thing, and to do the manual portions of completing the job.
Oh yes,I beleave that this is a very good concept, good work.i will do that on my guitars and will give a short report.....thanks for the video!
This was an interesting video. I learned some things. Thanks.
Why have a guitar factory and not do this? It's a shame this machine isn't redundant.
Hey George a few things you did standard old school 70s and 80s 45 degree bevel on the fret end. Are you open to doing more modern less angled bevel say 15 degrees and then rounding their edges and rolling the fingerboard? Also Say I sent in a 1953 Telecaster neck with original finish. Would you take out the frets with pincer clippers or would you knock then out sideways? Since I would want to keep the finish original wouldn't all that hard knocking by the metal (brass?) probe damage my original already flakey nitro cellulose? I would want to keep the fingerboard original 7.25" radius along with the finish. If we used tall wire say 6105 Would you be be able to do a compound radius say 7.25" to 10" dress and crown on the PLEK machine?
I want to have my 2021 Gibson LP Modern PLEK'd cause I don't feel like it's 100%, but don't they have a PLEK Pro machine anyways? The problem is the closest PLEK machine to me is 12 hour drive in Vancouver
Amazing. I love technology.
Nice. Thanks gents.
Are you guys also capable of doing a custom compensated nut?
I’d like to know what you would charge to do Fender 50s Vintera
Just wondering if the process is altered for a bound neck guitar? If so, is there an extra charge for the service with a neck that is bound?
I was expecting Trogly's voice here... :D
Thank god it’s not. That is the most irritating voice on the planet
Do you guys only accept guitars in person or could I ship one to you to be plek'd?
How much does this awesome process cost?
Hey Peter! We charge $225 for the Plek, an 11 step polishing process, and then setting up the guitar with your preferred brand and gauge of string. Thanks for checking out the video!
Does the process dress the fret ends, or does it only level and crown the frets and cut the nut slots?
Thanks for your question. The Plek Process levels and crowns the frets. We dress the fret ends by hand still.
Makes you wonder why so,many Gibsons have lousy cuts in the nut?
💰
Thomas Acombh ポール
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Can it do compound radius necks?
It sure can. If you have any questions give us a call and ask for George. He is a Plek Tech. 847-432-6350
Where are you guys located at?? Thanks.
We are located in Highland Park, IL. About 45 minutes North of Chicago.
Any "off the rack" guitar will feel way better with a good fret polish and proper setup. The fact that 3 testers chose the same guitar is not necessarily a testament to the Plek machine and could have more to do with the pro hands that tend to the instrument afterwards. I'm not discrediting the Plek system, as a guitar tech I understand the process and it is without a doubt effective.
Just choose your luthier carefully. A Plek machine does not a luthier make. It's a great piece of technology but it's not within itself within a guarantee of of a good outcome.
The Plek machine doesn't refinish your fingerboard if it's maple and it's needed planing. Neither does it actually refret the guitar. That is still done by the luthier. The luthier still needs to interpret the scans and make a host of decisions.
MT Guitars in Perth, Western Australia just about ruined my Custom Shop Nocaster Reissue through very injudicious Plek machine use and terrible luthier skills.
Do your research people.
"Everyone wants to get the lowest amount of action with the least amount of buzz". Oh really? This is the NUMBER ONE problem with almost all guitar techs. They want to impress you with low action, whether you want that or not. Almost every blues-rock great, both modern and old, like HIGHER action. But I guess the tech with experience knows better than those players. (sarc)
Huh? I wouldn't consider Jeff Beck's 2/64" on the low E to be a high action.
@@AdaptivePhenix see this "almost every" he wrote.. and no, Jeff Beck isn't primarily blues-rock player, I think he is more fusion kind of musician from '75 Blow by Blow (even earlier albums were mix of rock, soul and blues, not traditional blues rock stuff.. maybe Truth & Beckola and there were some influencies from irish, scottish folk and classic music too) album and he had no classic blues style technic of playing.. Listen to him, full discography..