PLEK system and the difference between a 59 reissue and a 2010 Traditional

[Jared Purdy]

Those are both questions. So there you have it. I'm a newbie to Gibson (you probably guessed), though I'm loving my new LP Traditional, very much. And being the information nut that I am, I ask questions!

Thanks.

[damian]

What a perPLEKing question !!!!!! There are tons of differences between the two LP types.......It's a minefield, so, all I'll say is I own one kind, want to own the other, and love them both..........

[Jared Purdy]

What a perPLEKing question !!!!!! There are tons of differences between the two LP types.......It's a minefield, so, all I'll say is I own one kind, want to own the other, and love them both..........

 

Alright, lets start with the PUs.

[strat-o-steve]

The PLEK system is where a machine measures your fretboard, frets and nut. It then cuts the nut and grinds the frets to (hopefully) ensure easy, low action without buzzes and dead spots. However, in my experience, even a PLEK'd neck will still buzz a little. It is simply a machine Gibson is using so they don't have to have a "skilled" person performing setups. Well, that's my opinion anyway! I wouldn't put too much faith in the PLEKer, a good setup/repairman/luthier can set up any old guitar to play just as well as anything rolling out of the PLEK machine. :D The Traditional is a VERY nice Les Paul ;) Good Score!!!

[Jared Purdy]

The PLEK system is where a machine measures your fretboard, frets and nut. It then cuts the nut and grinds the frets to (hopefully) ensure easy, low action without buzzes and dead spots. However, in my experience, even a PLEK'd neck will still buzz a little. It is simply a machine Gibson is using so they don't have to have a "skilled" person performing setups. Well, that's my opinion anyway! I wouldn't put too much faith in the PLEKer, a good setup/repairman/luthier can set up any old guitar to play just as well as anything rolling out of the PLEK machine. :D The Traditional is a VERY nice Les Paul ;) Good Score!!!

 

Thanks, yes I think I have a good score. I went with it over the standard as I didn't think the locking tuners were necessary (though they are on my Strat Deluxe), and I prefered the sound of the 57 PAFs to the Burst Buckers. You are right on with regard to a luthier being able to do the same thing, and better, by hand. It does buzz a bit, but I can control that to a certain extent with pick control. I will likely get it looked at by the local expert, who does a fine job on all guitars, electric and otherwise.

[Tim Plains]

and the difference between a 59 reissue and a 2010 Traditional

http://www.mylespaul.com/forums/gibson-les-pauls/50210-gibson-les-paul-101-a.html

[Jared Purdy]

Thanks, as most of the respondents indicate, the post is not definative, there is much missing. So I know that my 2010 Trad. has weight relief holes ("swiss cheese"). Great. what about the other and more sustantial differences: tone!! PU's, circuitry, etc.????

[Tim Plains]

Tone is subjective, of course.

 

Traditional - Gibson USA, '57 Classic / Classic plus pickups, 300k volume pots, 500k tone pots, 0.022uF ceramic disc caps, '50s neck, square style Gibson USA frets.

 

R9 - Custom Shop, Burstbuckers 1 & 2, all four pots are 500k CTS pots, fake Bumblebee caps (by fake, I mean they're not paper in oil caps like the originals were), fatter neck than the Traditional, lower/wider frets.

[rguerra]

...I wouldn't put too much faith in the PLEKer, a good setup/repairman/luthier can set up any old guitar to play just as well as anything rolling out of the PLEK machine. :D

 

But not at several hundred guitars per day. Yes the luthier (a good one) can produce a great guitar fret job and nut cut. But he or she has off days and I doubt all the luthiers working in the factory never have a bad day...machines like PLEK are tools. Good tools and talented work force combined equals good product. PLEK gives Gibson consistently good products.

[sparky scott 29]

Check it out here...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BB1knU8tiTY

[Jared Purdy]

Tone is subjective, of course.

 

Traditional - Gibson USA, '57 Classic / Classic plus pickups, 300k volume pots, 500k tone pots, 0.022uF ceramic disc caps, '50s neck, square style Gibson USA frets.

 

R9 - Custom Shop, Burstbuckers 1 & 2, all four pots are 500k CTS pots, fake Bumblebee caps (by fake, I mean they're not paper in oil caps like the originals were), fatter neck than the Traditional, lower/wider frets.

 

Thanks, it's clearly in the hands and ears! Still, I'd like to hear an original 59', and that would serve as a bench mark. Any one on the Toronto area with a 59 I can try out? ;)

[rguerra]

Check it out here...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BB1knU8tiTY

 

Great video Sparky!

[sparky scott 29]

Thanks, I do try to add something interesting every now and then..

[Andy R]

But not at several hundred guitars per day. Yes the luthier (a good one) can produce a great guitar fret job and nut cut. But he or she has off days and I doubt all the luthiers working in the factory never have a bad day...machines like PLEK are tools. Good tools and talented work force combined equals good product. PLEK gives Gibson consistently good products.

 

Great point but I have yet to pick up a Les Paul PLEKed or not that has a proper fret crown....

[damian]

Great point but I have yet to pick up a Les Paul PLEKed or not that has a proper fret crown....

 

Great point Andy.........

 

Jared, I also prefer the 57s over the burstbuckers......Some Trads do have one 57 and one burstbucker 3......If you wish, Andy's first post is from November 2010, and is titled,

 

" Anyone ever try crowning their own frets ? "................or it's one of his first posts.......

[Jared Purdy]

Thanks for the posts, and great vid sparky.

[Guest FarnsBarns]

Just an interesting side point.

 

I have it on pretty good authority that Gibson puts its guitars through the plek machine before the finish goes on, at least the USA, non custom shop models. That means they must have a final hand set up or they'd be terrible.