Has anyone pleked their hm?

[nyeguitarist]

I heard about this on the wikipedia page, and was wondering if anyone on here has done it, and if you like it? It seems like it would be expensive to get done, as gibson says they plek many of their new guitars.

[Bodaggit23]

I have no idea what that means...

Care to elaborate?

[nyeguitarist]

I think that this article explains it well. namm.harmony-central.com/SNAMM01/article/Plek/Plek.html

[nickwellings]

My silver refinned HM is Plekked. It does make a difference, and does feel very nice, but what would make more of a difference is probably going with a nut that fits the radius or the neck, I think. Heem had a thread on this: It is much cheaper too.

heavymetalstrat.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=board3&action=display&thread=143

As Jim says, the trouble with HMs is they are not matched radius all the way through. I can definitely feel what Jim describes when he says on some stock HMs, the G string feels annoyingly high.

[heem6]

I've put a 15" radius R9 Floyd Rose nut on my HM with the parrot on it, which helped. Tonight I'm having the shop shim the bridge saddles so that they match the neck radius as well and have high hopes.

Will let you know later tonight or tomorrow how it turned out.

P.S. This should also result in lower action, since all of the strings will now be at the same height to start with.

[Bodaggit23]

So "plekking" is getting the nut and bridge radius to match the neck.?

That could mean replacing or modifying the nut, modding the neck radius and or bridge saddles?

If the Spyder had adjustable height saddles, this would be a no brainer for HM's...modify or replace the nut.

Just thinking out loud, trying to get up to speed. ;D

[heem6]

I'll let Nick explain the Plek process, but some of the later Spyders DO have adjustable saddles. There are small holes in the saddles and you can adjust them like a Fender bridge, with a small allen wrench.

The Floyd Rose shims I bought for my non-adjustable Spyder fit just fine apparently, and they were only like 10 bucks for the set.

The shop asked for another day to really "dial in" my HM, so I can report back tomorrow on the results.

[nyeguitarist]

Hmm.. from the thread you posted it seems that there is alot of options to fix the hm. not exactly sure what to do. If I got a gotoh bridge I would have to replace the nut as well, correct?

[heem6]

True, but a lot of Gotoh bridges on eBay are sold without the locking nut anyway, so you're not out any money there. I should get my HM back tomorrow (I think the shop owner is taking too many 420 breaks or only working part time on his business) and I'll let you know how it is.

[heem6]

Well, I finally got my HM back. I had my doubts, as the guitar tech was whining throughout the whole process. But it turned out very well.

The guitar plays beautifully now and it just "feels" right. All the strings feel like they're at an even height all the way across the neck now.

I put a Floyd Rose R9 nut on it (around $37, with a shim or two and shipping) and spent $10 on a set of Floyd Rose Saddle Shims. I think he needed to trim off the end of the high E shim, but otherwise they apparently fit perfectly. The 12 shims in one pack are enough to correct 2 bridges.

Had him install 1 shim each under the D and B saddles, and 2 shims each under the E saddles.

I'll be making this mod to all my HM's now.

[nyeguitarist]

Hmm. I will have to look into these shims. seems like an easy thing to do.

[heem6]

Yep, it's super easy. I just did it tonight on "The Horror." Trimmed the B string and the high E with a scissors. Took maybe 5 minutes, if that.

[lbeast]

Just thought everyone would want to know, I pleked my nose this morning. Breathing much easier now. Also it's easier on the fingers when I play nose flute.