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I found this very interesting. I didn't know they went this far is setting up a guitar or bass.
https://www.sweetwater.com/insync/plek-pro-the-holy-grail-of-guitar-setups-from-sweetwater/?bsft_aaid=25a4fa8f-620a-4b0d-b6f2-ea0e81d35698&bsft_eid=79ff8bcf-3450-4178-9722-6550c78d86e7&utm_campaign=20240810-insync&utm_source=insync&utm_medium=email&utm_content=b&bsft_clkid=b8fa2667-0059-4d52-b00c-9d1530666671&bsft_uid=c59eda56-eaf2-4b29-a204-a7376e895658&bsft_mid=2662e535-ac14-47b0-a818-559512fbc40c&bsft_txnid=4748b71f-7a7a-4cdc-82c0-aae72dba2b2f&bsft_mime_type=html&bsft_ek=2024-08-10T18%3A00%3A08Z&bsft_lx=22&bsft_tv=16
Unclear if the pianist is a total beginner or a professional jazz player?
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
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Cool video, had not seen the Plek process explained so well. They DO charge $299 for this upgraded setup (+ more to include the nut), but for a lot of folks it's no doubt worth it. I do my own setups and fret work, and make my own nuts and saddles when I need to. It's somewhat labor intensive, even with the right tools, but I find it relaxing and quite satisfying. Sad thing is, many (maybe most) guitar players will never play a properly set up guitar, but it can make a HUGE difference...
DC Ron
BiaB Audiophile
Presonus Studio One
StudioCat DAW dual screen
Presonus Faderport 16
Too many guitars (is that a thing?)
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BIAB & RB2025 Win.(Audiophile), Sonar Platinum, Cakewalk by Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M Monitors, Pioneer Active Monitors, AKG K271 Studio H'phones
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Forgot to add...Sweetwater is my 2nd favorite customer service organization, next to PGMusic. A few weeks ago I ordered a small item for $10 shipped that got lost in transit. I had a human being, located in this hemisphere, on the phone with me within an hour of reporting the issue. And he followed up, without prompting by me, twice before the package arrived, and THEN followed up to see if I was satisfied with the purchase. Aside from the delivery not including Sweetwater's usual free Ziploc of candy(!), I was. They also call me every now and then to ask me how my music is going. A little weird, but cool...
DC Ron
BiaB Audiophile
Presonus Studio One
StudioCat DAW dual screen
Presonus Faderport 16
Too many guitars (is that a thing?)
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My experience with Sweetwater is very similar. After every purchase they have called to make sure I was happy with said purchase. I haven't ordered anything in quite awhile though. Either I really didn't need anything or when I wanted something I was broke. It is usually the later!
Unclear if the pianist is a total beginner or a professional jazz player?
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
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I don't know... Many guitar companies now do this with all of their new instruments. I certainly would check with the manufacturer before paying another $299 for a service that may not be necessary.
Never having subscribed to the idea that action should be as low as possible, the PLEK process has never interested me — even though a couple of luthier friends have owned their machines since 2012 and I could have it done for free by friends who work there. I've seen it in action and had it done to one of my Gibsons.
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My experience with Sweetwater is very similar. After every purchase they have called to make sure I was happy with said purchase. I haven't ordered anything in quite awhile though. Either I really didn't need anything or when I wanted something I was broke. It is usually the later! I agree, I've purchased from them (telephone order) and they've shipped to Australia and followed up with the delivery and customer satisfaction questions.
BIAB & RB2025 Win.(Audiophile), Sonar Platinum, Cakewalk by Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M Monitors, Pioneer Active Monitors, AKG K271 Studio H'phones
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Yep,
My boss asked for a good example of a successful online company and Sweetwater just popped out .. they do it right.
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome
Make your sound your own!
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I don't know... Many guitar companies now do this with all of their new instruments. I certainly would check with the manufacturer before paying another $299 for a service that may not be necessary... Did a Google search and the AI list of manufacturer's who Plek was surprisingly long. Won't paste the response since...well, it's AI and almost certainly wrong. But checking is a great idea. Sweetwater uses the "Plek Pro" process which adds a string tension simulator, but I don't know if Sweetwater will sell you a "Plek Pro" upgrade for a new guitar that comes with a "Plek". That would be a little weird. Per a quick scan of their website, Martin uses the Plek Pro process on all their USA and MIM instruments except the Authentic Series...
DC Ron
BiaB Audiophile
Presonus Studio One
StudioCat DAW dual screen
Presonus Faderport 16
Too many guitars (is that a thing?)
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I bought my Guild Starfire V from Sweetwater a few years ago. The box arrived with a hole about the size of my thumb in it near the upper bout. I put my finger in the hole and it did not seem to be around anything but packing. I called my rep immediately. We planned to wait the usual 24 hours before opening the box. (One of the longest days in my life.) The full plan was for the rep and one of their techs to conference call after the call.
When I opened the box, there was a second box inside. The guitar was in a hard shell case in the second box. And, the guitar and case were perfect.
The packing saved the guitar from any damage. I called the rep back and he still put a tech on the call to make absolutely sure I did not see anything wrong with the Guild.
A while later I took the Guild to Sweetwater for a general setup and they agreed whatever put the hole in the box did no damage to the guitar. (I live about a 4 hour drive from the store.)
As for Plek, I am not sure I would do it. A lot of manufacturers already do it before they leave the factory.
Sweetwater is great!
...Deb
Last edited by DebMurphy; 08/11/24 02:15 AM.
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Product Manager
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I don't know... Many guitar companies now do this with all of their new instruments. I certainly would check with the manufacturer before paying another $299 for a service that may not be necessary. \ Correct - I believe Martin uses a PLEK machine for all their "lower end" guitars (with the higher-end ones done by hand by proper luthiers) - learned this from a Martin representative back when I worked in a big guitar shop. I think Fender does this to some extent as well. That doesn't mean an instrument that has already been PLEK'd or properly set up in the past wouldn't benefit from being PLEK'd again - wood changes and flexes over time after all.
Last edited by Simon - PG Music; 08/12/24 04:14 PM.
I work here
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I'm actually quite surprised that the PLEK machine doesn't do the polishing as well. Perhaps the makers felt it wasn't necessary?
I rather suspect that many guitar makers will use it, even for the high-end guitars, as it replaces the tedious process of getting the frets set correctly. For those higher-end guitars, a proper luthier will likely still do the final tweaks and polish.
An instrument with steel strings will gradually wear the frets, so they'll gradually go out of fettle as a matter of course. At what point that suggests a repeat process is probably personal preference.
Jazz relative beginner, starting at a much older age than was helpful.
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