Thomastik has no guts

Don Higdon · #1 08-23-2001, 09:17 AM

Apparently.
I sent the GM a temperate, reasonable e-mail describing the absolutely muddy sound of a brand-new Spirocore E, right out of a sealed package. Simply stated, the string is $31.82 (plus shipping) worth of useless metal.
No response after several days.
But from their web site, I have learned of owner Peter Infeld that "His philosophy of life and art, which he embraces fully with heart and soul, is the joy of holding a special vision." No sign yet that that "special vision" includes standing by his product.

#2 08-23-2001, 09:33 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Don Higdon
[ "His philosophy of life and art, which he embraces fully with heart and soul, is the joy of holding a special vision." No sign yet that that "special vision" includes standing by his product. [/b]

I wonder what color of sun glasses he is looking through? Or is he looking though a welders helmit to have such a lifeless special vision.

Mark

Mark Steel · #3 08-23-2001, 10:26 AM

Don, send him a pic of your Mirecourt and your American Standard and tell him they are pics taken before you put the Thomastik on and after.

**Francois Blais** · #4 08-23-2001, 08:56 PM

I had a better luck when I broke a Dominant string while winding it. They replaced it free.
However I wrote them several times about special string for EUBs.
First time they replied, telling me that something would be announced maybe six months later. (that was about two years ago...)
I sent several followups, all unanswered.
This is one of the reasons why I banned Thomastik strings from my arsenal.
D'Addario has a very good customer service though.
Pirastro are sometimes responsive, other times not.

Don Higdon · #5 08-30-2001, 02:44 PM

No response from Thomastik to my e-mail to the General Manager, so I wrote a letter. The problem is, nowhere on their web site do they give their address. So I sent an e-mail to get their address so I could send them a letter because they won't answer my e-mail. What's wrong with this picture?

erik II · #6 08-30-2001, 04:03 PM

Send them a print-out of the first e-mail.

bassmonkeee · #7 08-30-2001, 09:37 PM

Try posting over in the Thomastik forum over at the Dude pit. I've got a link on my work computer, so I'll post it tomorrow if you don't know the URL. I know Bob Golihur is a Moderator there, so there is probably a link at his webpage. The US distributor for the electric strings is really good about answering questions, and such. I think maybe it's Connolly and Co? Not sure, though. He can get you the mailing address to deal with the doublebass strings, at the very least.

Hope this helps.

Bob Gollihur · #8 08-30-2001, 10:27 PM

Yes, Connolly and Co. don't handle the double bass strings, but have been responsive in other matters - I have no doubt that they can at least steer you in the right direction.

The DudePit is at http://pub41.ezboard.com/bthedudepit

I moderate the Double Bass section, there are forums for mfrs. at the bottom of the group of forums.

Don Higdon · #9 08-31-2001, 06:22 AM

Thanks, chimp (don't get PO'd; there are worse Fuqua renames) and Bob. An e-mail from T-I with the address was waiting for me this AM. I don't use e-mails for serious matters.
To be continued...

bassmonkeee · #10 08-31-2001, 07:34 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Don Higdon
Thanks, chimp (don't get PO'd; there are worse Fuqua renames) and Bob. An e-mail from T-I with the address was waiting for me this AM. I don't use e-mails for serious matters.
To be continued...

Hey, chimp is better than chump...

Good luck on getting some resolution.

Don Higdon · #11 09-07-2001, 10:22 AM

I got an e-mail response from Thomastik, asking that I send them my dead string for analysis by their tech heads. The process will probably take a few weeks, and there's no indication of what they'll do, but at least they're looking.

bassmonkeee · #12 09-07-2001, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Don Higdon
I got an e-mail response from Thomastik, asking that I send them my dead string for analysis by their tech heads. The process will probably take a few weeks, and there's no indication of what they'll do, but at least they're looking.

The image that comes to mind is a bunch of Germans in lab coats, holding clipboards and poking the string with a stick. These are the kinds of thoughts that kept me out of the really good schools....

Hopefully, you will eventually ge a new string out of the deal. You would think that they would just send you a new one, and ask for the old one back to "study." What's $30 to a company for customer retention?

oldsaw · #13 09-10-2001, 09:23 AM

Don, do these strings have red wrapping on the tail piece end? I rehearsed with another orchestra last week and noticed that several of the basses had the same red end strings on the G,D & A and they used what I think was a Jargar E.

Mark

Mark Steel · #14 09-10-2001, 09:53 AM

Donosaur:
Maybe they'll boil it and send it back to you.