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The PLEK System

#1 DuaLeaD

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Posted 28 November 2012 - 11:40 PM

Just curious, are all Gibson Custom Shop Historic reissues run through the PLEK system? (Including my 1965 Firebird VII?)

Also, what is your opinion on this? Has it increased overall quality?

______________________________________

GEAR LIST:

Guitars:
2012 Gibson Custom Shop 1965 Firebird VII Reissue in Pelham Blue
2008 Rickenbacker 360 12-String in Fireglo (THE REAL DEAL)
2008 Rickenbacker 620 in Midnight Blue
2008 Jackson Randy Rhoads V RR24 in Snow White with Floyd Rose Vibrato
2007 Gibson Les Paul Supreme in Alpine White
2006 Takamine Limited Edition 6-string acoustic
2006 Takamine G-Series 12-string acoustic

Basses:
2012 Rickenbacker 4003 Bass in Midnight Blue

Amps/Processing:
B-52 AT-100 100W Tube Head
Marshall 1960 4x12 Cab
B-52 AT-212 100W Combo Amp
2008 ISP Decimator Pro-Rack G Noise Suppressor
1985 100A RockMan Sustainer

#3 Farnsbarns

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Posted 29 November 2012 - 07:29 AM

DuaLeaD, on 28 November 2012 - 11:40 PM, said:

Just curious, are all Gibson Custom Shop Historic reissues run through the PLEK system? (Including my 1965 Firebird VII?)

Also, what is your opinion on this? Has it increased overall quality?

I believe they are, and no, the plek machine does a consistent job, cheaply, but it will never be as good as a top Luther using hand tools IMO.

Operor non permissum nothus homo frendo vos solum

#4 AXE®

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Posted 30 November 2012 - 08:20 AM

Sorcery!!! Posted Image

Plek or no Plek. A guitar is not set up until it leaves my bench.

Don't Quote Me.

#5 DuaLeaD

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Posted 03 December 2012 - 08:16 PM

AXE®, on 30 November 2012 - 08:20 AM, said:

Sorcery!!! Posted Image

Plek or no Plek. A guitar is not set up until it leaves my bench.

Maybe we need to write a song on one of our Custom Shop guitars...About how PLEK machines will never be better than a luthier...
You know, like that ol' railroad song about John Henry...He's a steel-drivin' man!!

#6 stein

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Posted 03 December 2012 - 08:37 PM

Farnsbarns, on 29 November 2012 - 07:29 AM, said:

I believe they are, and no, the plek machine does a consistent job, cheaply, but it will never be as good as a top Luther using hand tools IMO.

I am going to go ahead and plus that. I am in complete agreement.

#7 stein

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Posted 03 December 2012 - 08:39 PM

The Unquotable Forum Member, on 30 November 2012 - 08:20 AM, said:

Sorcery!!! Posted Image

Plek or no Plek. A guitar is not set up until it leaves my bench.

Gonna have to plus that too.

#8 DuaLeaD

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Posted 02 February 2013 - 08:45 PM

Farnsbarns, on 29 November 2012 - 07:29 AM, said:

I believe they are, and no, the plek machine does a consistent job, cheaply, but it will never be as good as a top Luther using hand tools IMO.

Well, they PLEK it twice for good luck and one of the Gibson Custom Shop elves takes a lookzee at it anyway, right??

#9 dougg330

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Posted 08 February 2013 - 07:01 PM

My Custom Shop '59 ES-330 VOS reissue had an allegedly Plekked nut - but the A string slot was was cut too high and it would not intonate at all. Had the guitar set up by my favorite luthier (Steve Morrill in Boston), who had to tack a few frets and futz with the nut, but now it plays great.

Granted, I bought the guitar from a store in CA and had it shipped to Boston, so there's always some movement of the wood. Or maybe the Plek machine was on a break that day.
Either way, I'm deliriously happy with the guitar now. And unless I had a guitar custom built for me, I would always expect to have it set up after I bought it.