How hard is it to get the guys from Circle K to reply to an email?

kuys · #1 12-04-2010, 12:51 PM

I sent an email about a week ago asking if they had a set of equal tension strings for the tuning I've been playing in. Bb F C G. I just want good even tension across the strings.

The reason I'm posting this thread is because usually the circle K guys seem to be more active on these forums.

ixlramp · #2 12-04-2010, 01:08 PM

Hi kuys, I'm not part of the Circle K team but I can help you choose gauges. You can then order them as single strings from Circle K.

Is that Bb F C G from low to high, a fifths tuning from a detuned low B? Also what string tension do you like: What gauges at what notes feel right to you? Or, what gauges do you like for standard EADG?

34 or 35 inch scale? Top-loading or through-body stringing? How many inches along the string from ball-end to saddle?

kuys · #3 12-04-2010, 01:18 PM

Yeah, It's a fifths tunning. From low to high, I'm usually a medium gauge guy. I have a tendency to really dig in on my attack so strings need to be pretty taught.

The bass in question is an Epi EB-3. I believe it's a 35' scale, I'm at work right now and I don't have access to my bass. Also it's not string thru body. Strings load in thru the back of the bridge.

KingRazor · #4 12-04-2010, 01:28 PM

I've had absolutely no trouble with their customer service thus far. For a small operation like Circle K their customer service is superb.

ixlramp · #5 12-04-2010, 01:43 PM

Okay I checked online, it's 34 inch scale and standard top-load, so you want 'Standard Scale Length' singles (there's no need to check the ball-end to saddle distance).

By medium gauge do you mean 50 70 85 105 for EADG? Different manufacturers have different ideas of what 'medium' means. If possible let me know what gauges you like for EADG (or whatever tuning you use) and I'll suggest gauges equivalent to that tension.

kuys · #6 12-04-2010, 01:49 PM

Yes, that's pretty much the gauges I use in standard tuning. Right now it's 104 84 68 48 or around there. It has GHS Boomers on it right now.

Quote:

Originally Posted by KingRazor

I've had absolutely no trouble with their customer service thus far. For a small operation like Circle K their customer service is superb.

That's what I thought as well. Just seems odd that a week has gone by with out a reply.

ixlramp · #7 12-04-2010, 01:55 PM

Okay I'm thinking this ...

G .043 42.8 pounds of tension
C .064 40.3 or .068 45.7
F .100 43.4
Bb .150 42.3

... what do you guys think? I'd appreciate help on this.

You can check the tensions by downloading the Circle K tension chart pdf.

kuys · #8 12-04-2010, 02:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ixlramp

Okay I'm thinking this ...

G .043 42.8
C .064 40.3
F .100 43.4
Bb .150 42.3

... what do you guys think? I'd appreciate help on this.

You can check the tensions by downloading the Circle K tension chart pdf.

I appreciate all your help on this.

ixlramp · #9 12-04-2010, 02:17 PM

Tensions for EADG nickelwound 105 85 65 45 (the closest gauges I could find at GHS) ...

G .045 42.8 pounds of tension
D .065 51.3
A .085 48.4
E .105 40.3

(note the tension imbalance, it's centre-heavy)

So the tension I chose for the balanced set will be similar to the tension of your standard E and G. The middle 2 strings will be a little looser.

pablomigraine · #10 12-14-2010, 02:04 PM

slightly related....

I had some questions about Circle K strings a few weeks ago and TB'er Knuckle_Head (owner of Knuckle Guitar Works & Circle K Strings) was very helpful and responded to both PM's and posts promptly and informatively....

Then I placed an order for some strings. I made payment Via Paypal and received notice that the items would be shipping that same day. After some time had passed I emailed Circle K and asked for a tracking number..... no response.... I emailed again asking if the items had even shipped.... I emailed both of the email addys I could find for them, and CC'ed the Knuckle Guitar Works email address.... no response. I PM'ed Knuckle_Head here asking what was up..... no response. I PM'ed again.... no response despite having been online at the time and many times since.

I checked with UPS and they estimated based on the ship to & from zip codes that, even if the items were shipped 2 business days after I made payment, the items still should have been on my door by last Wednesday.

No Idea whats going on with my order.... and looks like I wont be getting one. Im going to give it till end of day tomorrow and then open a dispute with Paypal and try to get my money back. If the order was delayed, if UPS is running behind or lost the shipment, if they were temporarily out of stock..... I could understand all this and would be fine with it.... but nobody likes to be ignored. Sure its possible an email or two slipped thru the cracks.... but ALL my emails somehow getting lost AND my PM's on talkbass not getting through? No logical conclusion to be drawn other than my requests are being ignored.

Still hoping this is all a misunderstanding somehow but I'm reaching the limits of my imagination on how that could be.

......pretty unhappy.

ixlramp · #11 12-14-2010, 02:34 PM

This is posted up on their website:

"October 29th

We would like to apologize for any delays in orders being received. We are experiencing problems with one of our software vendors that is requireing us to hand ship all orders. This is a rather time consuming process and is affecting delivery times for our customers. Again we apologize and apprecaite your patience as we work through these issues, and id anyone has any suggestions for a replacement please contact customerservice@circlekstrings.com with info."

knucklehead G · #12 12-14-2010, 02:42 PM

knuckle_head here on TB will take care of you, shoot him a PM. I've talked to the guy at length planning string guages. He seems to really care about people being happy with his product.

pablomigraine · #13 12-14-2010, 02:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ixlramp

This is posted up on their website:

"October 29th

We would like to apologize for any delays in orders being received. We are experiencing problems with one of our software vendors that is requireing us to hand ship all orders. This is a rather time consuming process and is affecting delivery times for our customers. Again we apologize and apprecaite your patience as we work through these issues, and id anyone has any suggestions for a replacement please contact customerservice@circlekstrings.com with info."

Yes I saw that. As stated in the post, it isn't necessarily the delay that bothers me, its being completely ignored when I send emails and requests to both that email, several other emails and here on TB.

pablomigraine · #14 12-14-2010, 02:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by knucklehead G

knuckle_head here on TB will take care of you, shoot him a PM. I've talked to the guy at length planning string guages. He seems to really care about people being happy with his product.

I did. No response... as stated in my post.

KingRazor · #15 12-14-2010, 02:48 PM

I find this a bit odd, I got mine within 3 days I think. I haven't had any trouble getting ahold of them.

Wonder what's up.

pablomigraine · #16 12-15-2010, 10:28 AM

Sill nothing. Gonna open a complaint with paypal this evening.

Gopher Bob · #17 12-16-2010, 08:59 AM

Well shoot.. I thought you were talking about the chain of convenient stores named Circle K.

pablomigraine · #18 12-16-2010, 08:51 PM

Opened a dispute in the PayPal Resolution Center early this morning. Noooooo response. Gone from really disappointed to totally disgusted.

Not even interested in resolving the matter any longer, I just want my money back. I really hope someone with some more amicable business practices gets into this game, as Circle K really seemed like a great solution to my problems. Of all the gear-related companies I've dealt with in the past this is the first time this sort of thing has ever happened to me. Now I know what all of Dr. Bass's customers must feel like, although I'm fortunate by comparison.... I'm only out $40.

Eh well. Let the buyer beware.... CircleK is not on their game....

KingRazor · #19 12-16-2010, 09:10 PM

I'm surprised. Not with Paypal, they screwed me over before. I'm surprised by CircleK. I got my strings within just a few days and they never failed to respond to my messages in a timely manner.

That's a real shame :\

I remember one time someone hacked my paypal account and wound up costing me almost $200. I notified paypal but they didn't believe me. So I wound up paying a bunch of money in overdrafts. I have a new paypal account now but I don't put my bank account info on it. That way if it gets hacked, no one can do anything with it really.

pablomigraine · #20 12-16-2010, 09:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KingRazor

I'm surprised. Not with Paypal, they screwed me over before. I'm surprised by CircleK. I got my strings within just a few days and they never failed to respond to my messages in a timely manner.

That's a real shame :\

I remember one time someone hacked my paypal account and wound up costing me almost $200. I notified paypal but they didn't believe me. So I wound up paying a bunch of money in overdrafts. I have a new paypal account now but I don't put my bank account info on it. That way if it gets hacked, no one can do anything with it really.

Yep, he came highly recommended and I just don't understand it. I could see him not responding to my half dozen emails and PMs if he were away or dealing with an urgent personal matter, but he's here posting away on talkbass and responding to other people at the same email addresses I've used...I just don't get it. My requests are just being flat out ignored. I hate that crap.