Guitar

What Is Pleking a Guitar? (Ultimate Overview)

What Is Pleking A Guitar?

If you’re a musician, you’ve probably heard of pleking a guitar. But what exactly is it? And more importantly, why should you do it?

Pleking is the computer-controlled removal of the warped, bowed, or cupped wood sections from a guitar’s fretboard using a Plek machine. This allows for a more genuine, flatter surface on which the strings can vibrate, resulting in optimum playability and sound.

Pleking can also help to level out the frets, improving intonation issues. The greatness of guitar pleking is that it can be done without taking the guitar apart or disturbing any of its parts, so there’s no need to worry about your instrument being damaged in the process.

After reading this article, you should understand what pleking is and why it’s important. You will also learn how to plek a guitar and the tools needed for this purpose.

What Is Pleking a Guitar?

Getting the best-playing guitar includes more than just buying a nice instrument. It is often recommended that you have your guitar pleked. But what exactly is guitar pleking?

Pleking is a computerized process that fine-tunes the frets on a guitar. As each string vibrates, it can start to wear down the frets. This can cause dead spots on the fretboard, making it difficult to play in certain areas. Pleking helps to smooth out these dead spots and gives the player a better experience.

I hope you’ve got it. No? Don’t worry, let’s try once more!

In simple terms, pleking a guitar means adjusting the strings so that they are all at the same height from the fretboard. This is done by loosening all the strings and then using a particular plek machine to adjust each string individually.

It’s like having your guitar set up by a luthier, but more accurate. In addition, pleking can help extend the life of your guitar by preventing further wear and tear on the frets. As a result, pleking is an important step in maintaining a high-quality instrument.

What Are The Benefits of Pleking a Guitar?

What Are The Benefits Of Pleking A Guitar?

Pleking is an ultra-precise process of polishing and shaping a guitar’s frets and fingerboard, delivering greater accuracy, smoother playability, and improved tone. Following are the long-term benefits of pleking a guitar.

Standard Benefits

  • Increased sustain and resonance
  • More even response throughout the frequency range
  • Improved intonation

Emotional Benefits

  • More inspiring to play
  • Greater connection with the instrument
  • Pleking is the perfect way to bring new life to your guitar, and it’s an excellent option for those who want to maintain their instrument’s value and appearance.

So, if you’re considering having your guitar pleked, be sure to talk to your luthier to learn more about the benefits and see if it’s right for you.

How To Plek a Guitar?

There is no definitive way to plek a guitar, as the process may vary depending on the type of guitar and its construction. However, some general steps can be followed when pleking a guitar.

1. First, the strings must be removed from the guitar. This is so that the plek machine can have clear access to the fretboard.

2. The guitar is then placed in the plek machine, which uses high-precision lasers and sensors to map the contours of the fretboard.

3. Based on the data collected, the plek machine will generate a custom plan for dressing the guitar’s frets.

4. The next step is to execute the plan, which involves using a small tool to slowly and carefully dress each fret.

5. Once all the frets have been dressed, the strings can be put back on the guitar, and it will be ready to play!

Pleking a guitar is not a complicated process, but it is essential to be careful and time. This ensures that the frets are correctly dressed and the guitar will have optimal playability.

The Tools You Will Need To Plek a Guitar

To plek a guitar, you will need the following tools:

Guitar Pleking Tool

The Guitar Pleking Tool is a specialized tool used to adjust the string height on a guitar.

Tape Measure

The Tape Measure can measure the distance between the strings and the fretboard.

Plek Station

It is a high-end tool system for professional luthiers, technicians, and guitar repair experts. The Plek Station holds the guitar in place while you work.

Final Thoughts

As the world progresses, more and more people are turning to guitar pleking as a way to improve their playing experience. The benefits of this process are clear, and the results are undeniable. If you’re looking for a way to take your guitar playing to the next level, pleking is something you should consider. Thanks for reading!

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to plek a guitar?

The cost to plek a guitar will vary depending on the type of guitar, the location, and the luthier. However, it is generally around $100-$150 in the United States.

How long do frets last on a guitar?

Fret life can vary depending on several factors, including the material used, the frequency of use, and the playing style. However, frets can typically last anywhere from a few years to 20-30 years.