Author Topic: Plek'd my Rogue (Read 212 times)

briant · « **on:** April 11, 2009, 03:56:11 PM »

http://www.plek.com/

I just picked up my Rogue 5 from having it setup and run through the Plek machine. Wow. It already played wonderfully - now it practically plays itself. Very worth it if you have the opportunity to get it done.

dannobasso · « **Reply #1 on:** April 11, 2009, 07:36:24 PM »

Thanks for that Briant, Looks like a good thing to try from their site. I have one bass that I can't seem to get right at only the fifth fret on the G of a 5 string Excel. There is a shop on 30 west in NYC that I'll contact. If you don't mind me asking, how much was the service? I'm off this week and a drive into the city might be a nice way to spend the day.

briant · « **Reply #2 on:** April 12, 2009, 12:16:47 AM »

The shop I had it done at (http://www.mikelull.com) charges $235 for a trip in the Plek and a full setup.

I spent 2+ hours practicing today after I wrote this. I honestly cannot rave enough about how insanely good this bass feels after a trip to see the Plek machine. It's unbelievable. Really.

2400wattman · « **Reply #3 on:** April 12, 2009, 12:50:14 AM »

I had one of my Spector's fingerboard planed, refretted and Plek'd for a little more than $400.00 at Glaser guitar shop in Nashville. Also had my jazz bass Plek'd as well. Both jobs were worth every cent, so one more bump for the mighty Plek!

dnburgess · « **Reply #4 on:** April 12, 2009, 01:44:10 AM »

Plek itself is not a silver bullet - it is a tool. As with anything to do with musical instruments - the skill of the operator is important. The Plek machine is a sophisticated tool that requires a skilled tech.

If you are going to get an instrument Pleked - choose the shop on the basis of good customer feedback.

dannobasso · « **Reply #5 on:** April 12, 2009, 05:49:39 AM »

These guys got back tome right away and mentioned what dnburgess said. The price range is from $200-250 plus strings and tax. I'm going to try on Tuesdaydespite da Flippin' bridge toll into Manhattan!

Peekamoose Custom Guitars, LLC
251 West 30th Street, Suite 7FM
New York, NY 10001
212-869-2396

info@peekamoose.com
http://www.peekamoose.com

lbpesq · « **Reply #6 on:** April 12, 2009, 11:28:49 AM »

My electric luthier, Gary Brawer in San Francisco, was one of the first to get a Plek machine. The set ups are quite good. I forget what he charges, but I feel very secure that he knows what he's doing. He was Jerry Garcia's luthier, among others.

Bill, tgo

flaxattack · « **Reply #7 on:** April 12, 2009, 06:32:25 PM »

name dropper!

jazzyvee · « **Reply #8 on:** April 14, 2009, 12:56:40 AM »

I've just watched the video and it seems a very interesting machine. However I can't help thinking that if humidity or temperature where you are playing or living is significantly different from where the pleck setup took place, it may require you to make further neck relief adjustments yourself. In that case, surely that will move the neck away from the perfect settings made by the pleck.

If you are saying it's a good starting point then I can see some benefit.? Nothing can be perfect in every setting.

It may be a useful starting tool as dnburgess points out.

Jazzyvee

briant · « **Reply #9 on:** April 14, 2009, 11:10:57 AM »

The fret leveling that it does would apply to all setups in any environment. Having perfectly level frets is always good. And this machine does it better than any human ever could.

peoplechipper · « **Reply #10 on:** April 15, 2009, 01:19:52 AM »

Good file technique should give perfectly level frets...I'm a jeweller with 15 years experience so I know filing; any GOOD repair guy should be the same...I haven't watched the Plek at work so maybe I'm missing something, but I'm a heavy-handed pick-attacking THUG, so low action is a minus for me, but I'e had guitars stung 14-56(playing guitar in my old band) that players thought was 11-49, even with high action, so can the machine make feel? Tony

dannobasso · « **Reply #11 on:** April 18, 2009, 07:10:35 AM »

Well I'm on my way back to NYC today to pick up my bass un-pleked. The story goes in order to get the right grind to have the optimum fret surface the fret would be so ground down that a refret would be needed. So they suggested a refret on my almost new condition Custom Excel 5 for around $500 bucks. Very interesting for a fix of my complaint of a buzz on the 5th fret on the g string. His assistant has also said she had to charge me 45 min for the work they did measuring the bass but with no repair work, Kind of like an AIG thing? I guess everyone get stumped now and again. Any opinions from the community here?

john_judge · « **Reply #12 on:** April 18, 2009, 07:36:41 AM »

sounds like someone was trying to plek your wallet, if you have some luither skills you can buy a fret filing block from stew mcdonalds or luithers mercantile which as about as long as the finger board, I have used them before and as long as you go slow that may help you, what about the one side of the truss rod have you tried to adjust it, I had a buzz on my G at third fret and I had took 2 1/4 turns of tension off it and left it for 2 or 3 days and went back and added 1/4 turn and it went away, I am saying this in case they are just trying to make money off you for some big fret job. it may not be a fret and they are just trying to rip you off, At first I thought mine was a fret but it was a simple neck adjustment. Maybe take it to a local first small shop and have the frets checked to be certain that is the problem...good luck just trying to give you some options John

FC Bass · « **Reply #13 on:** April 18, 2009, 07:43:22 AM »

That's a bummer...
I just got my Aria bass back from a luthier and though I'd almost given up on that bass, I must say I'm in love again!
He did a great job, no buzzes anywhere.
If the Plek would do a better job, the strings will be where John Entwistle wanted them: on the other side of the fretboard!

dannobasso · « **Reply #14 on:** April 18, 2009, 07:58:51 AM »

Thanks John, I have a feeling that he's being business minded. Mica and I had a chat about it and if after a second opinion there really is an issue (I DOUBT) I'll send it back to the mothership. I'll work on the adjustments again this afternoon. But at least I'll spend a lovely spring day in the city with my brother and nephew before I bring my bass back to Joisey after its little holiday on 30th street.