PLEK Service Palen Music

What is PLEK?

Created in the 1980s by German guitar tech Gerd Anke and toolmaker Michael Dubach, PLEK is the pinnacle of guitar setup, a platform for super accurate setup and fret dressing. Relying on pioneering German engineering thinking and the latest CNC technology, the PLEK takes lutherie to a whole new level.
Used by the biggest and best guitar manufacturers, including Taylor, Gibson, and Duesenberg, PLEK scans and dresses a guitar under actual playing conditions, strung and tuned to pitch. The PLEK identifies precisely what needs to be done for perfect fretwork, executes this rapidly, and delivers excellent results on the instrument when restrung.

How does it work?

After an initial assessment by our skilled luthiers, your guitar is loaded in the PLEK machine. PLEK will then scan the fingerboard and frets, evaluating string heights, positions, and consistencies across the entire neck. During this diagnostic period, PLEK provides a series of detailed graphs and plans to communicate the results and areas for improvement and refinement. After the first step, the real magic of the PLEK experience occurs, the “Virtual Fret Dress.” This software tool makes it possible to set the amount of fret height to be cut and adjust the radius (making it possible to obtain a compound radius within the frets) and the amount of “fall-off” on the upper frets. Initially, this all happens virtually, meaning that the VFD merely simulates the result of cutting without actually processing the frets. Frets that are too high or too low can be easily recognized and targeted for virtual correction. When the instrument is processed, the amount of fret material to be cut is kept to a minimum. The machine automatically levels and dresses the frets for optimum performance and playability. The dressed frets are then polished, and your guitar is restrung. The level of consistency across the neck is incredible; every note and string will ring clear and true.
If required, the PLEK can also custom-cut a new nut to provide excellent tuning stability and improve the action.