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RWD
`Olu`olu
USA
850 Posts |
 Posted - 10/29/2007 : 08:23:56 AM
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This Saturady at Music Gallery,Highland Park, IL, I finally got a guitar Plek'd. It was expensive for me because I had to have all my fret ends glued down first because they were loose. The Plek was approx $160. extra fret work and new strings brought it to $270 (gulp!) but my instrument is as good as it can get now. The action now is 1/16th (2/32) at the 6th string 12th fret--it was 3/32.
After watching the machine probe and trace each fret and fingerboard contour along the length of each string (under string tention btw), then graphing the fingerboard and fret height for each string location in .001 in increments, showing error againsts a corrective curve, it is hard to imagine that my frets are not perfect!
the Process:
-Guitar fret integrity checked first
-guitar tuned to a typical tuning (I used leonards C)and placed in the machine
- The machine traces each string path down the fretboard and bumps up over each fret. it actuatlly pushes the string aside so that i can get directly under where the string is. the readings are noted in graph and numeric form on the screen.
-The operator adjusts the conical angle (radius) and depth of cut to remove as little fret as possible while matching the cut to a perfect reference line. (my frets ended up at around .039-.043)
- The strings are slackend and moved out of the way.
-The machine remeasures the fret board and notes the change so that it can compensate for the released neck.
-It cuts the frets one a t a time in three passes each.
-the Guitar is once again tuned to the desired tuning
-the Machine goes back and measrues the results under tension and reports if it is as expected or not. If not, it does it again.
-Technician then polishes off small chatter marks from the machining and sets the action.
-It takes about two hours
-Done
Hope you enjoyed the info. My guitar does play easier now.
I thought it would be interesting to post a report for those that have only heard of a Plek machine.
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Bob |
Edited by - RWD on 10/29/2007 08:41:14 AM |
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Lawrence
Ha`aha`a
USA
1597 Posts |
Posted - 10/29/2007 : 09:03:51 AM
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Hey... Great Report!
I wonder if it can handle stainless steel frets as well as the traditional nickel alloy.
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Mahope Kākou...
...El Lorenzo de Ondas Sonoras |
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wcerto
Ahonui
USA
5052 Posts |
Posted - 10/29/2007 : 09:38:21 AM
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I would suspect that how it handles stainless depends on what the traditional nickel alloy is. Many stainless alloys are high nickel/chromium (Inconel, Hastalloy, Waspalloy, Rene 41). Are the fret wires that you call nickel alloy mostly nickel? If so, that would make them way soft and easily damaged seems to me and wouldn't make them suitable for fret wire IMHO. However, if they are steel with high nickel content, then they should machine pretty much the same way as stainless alloys unless the wire has been precipitation hardened or something, but then again, if it was, then the wire would not have very good ductility and couldn't be drawn.
Hey - thanks for the pictures Bob (notice I didn't call you Jesse this time)-- I've been a month now without hearing the sounds of a machine shop and smelling the coolant. Mmmmm..that is one of those smells I like (until the coolant gets old and needs to be changed, then, P-U.) |
Me ke aloha
Malama pono,
Wanda |
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Lawrence
Ha`aha`a
USA
1597 Posts |
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RWD
`Olu`olu
USA
850 Posts |
Posted - 10/29/2007 : 11:19:22 AM
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Lawrence
I am going back to get my #2 guitar taht I left for intonation adjustment, on Saturday. I will ask about the stainless frets. |
Bob |
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javeiro
Lokahi
USA
459 Posts |
Posted - 10/29/2007 : 12:40:57 PM
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| Thanks a lot for posting that excellent illustrated report, Haole Boy, it was really interesting to read. Maybe I'll have to save some money and see where there is a mchine like that available in this area. |
Aloha,
John A. |
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Reid
Ha`aha`a
Andorra
1526 Posts |
Posted - 10/29/2007 : 1:14:36 PM
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So, how does it feel to play, Bob? Details...
...Reid
(who has been pleked in the past...) |
Edited by - Reid on 10/29/2007 1:15:09 PM |
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RWD
`Olu`olu
USA
850 Posts |
Posted - 10/29/2007 : 2:42:34 PM
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Reid
The guitar does play easier now. I had complained that this guitar fretted hard and was tough on my fingers and hand. It now plays as easy as my other guitars and is no longer a problem.
The action was lowered a full 1/32" becasue of the Plek and of course that means less hand pressure to pull down strings. I can fret chords near the nut easier and I am not having trouble with full bars that have open third or second strings anymore.
Another noticeable improvement is that the guitar plays in tune up an down the fret board better than it ever has.
So, yes this was worth while and it did relieved pressure from my fretting hand.
I would have it done to ALL my guitars if I had too much money laying around.
I have several guitars. |
Bob |
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Reid
Ha`aha`a
Andorra
1526 Posts |
Posted - 10/30/2007 : 02:40:55 AM
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Sounds like a real win to me, Bob. Have fun.
...Reid |
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