This guitar is a dud...what would you do?

[nexion218]

the frets are cut exactly the right amount, right where they need to be

In theory, that is. I'm really not against the PLEK. I'm only saying that it is not the cure-all that it is advertised to be by the shops that have the machine. Look at it like this: F1 cars are the cream of te crop when it comes to car engineering and performance. But I bet you can imagine the difference between Ayrton Senna driving one and then me driving one. And the end result would still be the same if we were to drive my 26 year old Audi 80: Senna would prove in no time that I didn't know sh!t about driving my own car.

 

[Top-L]

In theory, that is. I'm really not against the PLEK. I'm only saying that it is not the cure-all that it is advertised to be by the shops that have the machine. Look at it like this: F1 cars are the cream of te crop when it comes to car engineering and performance. But I bet you can imagine the difference between Ayrton Senna driving one and then me driving one. And the end result would still be the same if we were to drive my 26 year old Audi 80: Senna would prove in no time that I didn't know sh!t about driving my own car.

More like an accountant doing your taxes by hand or using a calculator.

 

[JB_From_Hell]

I wouldn’t go to a shop that didn’t know how to use their tools well, whether it was files or a plek.

If a dude who’s awesome at leveling by hand can do better than a crappy plek operator, what about a killer plek operator?

 

[Top-L]

I wouldn’t go to a shop that didn’t know how to use their tools well, whether it was files or a plek.

If a dude who’s awesome at leveling by hand can do better than a crappy plek operator, what about a killer plek operator?

Frankly, the only shops that invested in the Plek machine already had tons of experience and quality luthiers.

 

[GuitarDoc]

They actually do know. Most have you send them a set of strings it will be set up with.

The relief every neck develops under tension is different. Some have backbow, front bow, twists, etc. The plek is the best way to handle these differences.

It can't be argued logically that hand done work has the same potential as plek under all circumstances.

What is more likely is that with YOUR personal playing style and setup, YOU can't tell a difference between plek and hand level. What is probably equally likely is that you have never paid to have a guitar plekked that was previously leveled by a top luthier.

Maybe you played a plekked Gibson a couple years after the plek was done? (Neck changes over time.) People who are against plek usually fall into that category. I dont know anyone who actually paid for a plek that was dissatisfied with the fretwork.

For this argument to continue, you have to describe more about your situation, which guitar did you pay to have plekked? Why were you underwhelmed? etc.

You're making a lot of assumptions...that just happen to be untrue.

Yes, if you send a guitar in to have a custom PLEK done, you can include the set of strings that you usually play. That will certainly help a tiny bit. But as I said, it really isn't that important anyway. But your argument that hand done work doesn't have the potential as PLEK is absolutely, unequivocally, false. Maybe it's true for your work, but not mine.

I've played and done fret jobs on brand new guitars that have been PLEKed, as well as older guitars. I have a lot of experience with working on guitars (60 years) and am OCD about quality work both in my professional life as well as my personal life. That's actually very hard to live with because you don't really get fairly compensated for perfection... but you are compelled to do it anyway.

Look, you are obviously sold on PLEK. That's ok for YOU. But don't tell me that just because you think it is better than hand work, that it actually IS. I do know, from lots of experience, that after I have done a fret job, the finished product is better (NOT "as good as") than any PLEK machine has ever done (PLEK machines don't even do fret end filing or polishing).

 

[Top-L]

I respect that you think that, but its probably not true. And it certainly isn't true of all luthiers, especially ones with a backlog of work. And it definitely isn't true for problem necks with a twist or other problem.

The only reason someone would ask to have a plekked guitar hand leveled is because a problem developed. Developed.

As I said earlier, the "problem" with plek is that it doesnt stop the hands of time. Minute changes to the neck will eventually wipe out that last 5% of accuracy.

I have hand leveled all my old guitars and been happy with my own work. But there are some things the plek excels at. One of them is that it removes the absolute minimum of fret material. I have an old guitar that is "getting there". I know I can get another couple plek jobs out of it, but if I hand level, it will not last as long.

With a hand level, you straighten the neck, level it flat, and you are at the mercy of the relief the neck develops.

With a plek, the measurement is done under tension and it can cut a fret profile that comprehends the actual curve or twist of the neck. With good necks many probably won't tell a difference, but with marginal or bad necks it can make all the difference. How can you not see that this is superior?

 

[Top-L]

Argument has been hashed out a million times.

https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1696696

 

[GuitarDoc]

I respect that you think that, but its probably not true. And it certainly isn't true of all luthiers, especially ones with a backlog of work. And it definitely isn't true for problem necks with a twist or other problem.

The only reason someone would ask to have a plekked guitar hand leveled is because a problem developed. Developed.

As I said earlier, the "problem" with plek is that it doesnt stop the hands of time. Minute changes to the neck will eventually wipe out that last 5% of accuracy.

I have hand leveled all my old guitars and been happy with my own work. But there are some things the plek excels at. One of them is that it removes the absolute minimum of fret material. I have an old guitar that is "getting there". I know I can get another couple plek jobs out of it, but if I hand level, it will not last as long.

With a hand level, you straighten the neck, level it flat, and you are at the mercy of the relief the neck develops.

With a plek, the measurement is done under tension and it can cut a fret profile that comprehends the actual curve or twist of the neck. With good necks many probably won't tell a difference, but with marginal or bad necks it can make all the difference. How can you not see that this is superior?

You didn't read my last post.

Don't tell me that MY experience is "probably not true".

"The only reason someone would ask to have a plekked guitar hand leveled is because a problem developed. Developed."

Are you kidding me?! A problem developed in a brand new guitar?! How, by the neck boogeyman? All your rationalization doesn't change reality, as much as you may try. Time to give it up.

I already said that if you like PLEK that's fine. Accept that and quit trying to argue that you're right. It doesn't matter anymore. Got it?

 

[nexion218]

And the PLEK also doest loosen the trussrod, let the neck sit and develop those kinks that the wood may have without the stringtension and trussrod correcting it, then fix the neck if need be and do the fretjob after that. And like Doc said, after the PLEK is done, there is still some work left to be done by hand. All this doesn make the PLEK bad, rather they are truths about it that make make the method's assessment complete.

 

[beaubrummels]

If they sold it as new, then is has to be warranty covered and no restock fee if returned for defects. I would return it and fight any charges. Your out $200 either way; plek or return.

If you get stuck with it, book a gig, film it, light it on fire and smash it. Then post it here for all to enjoy. Be sure to credit Pro Audio Star in the movie.