I was emailing regularly with Skip Fantry about some custom strings and he just stopped responding about 6 weeks ago. I placed an order and got the strings but they were wrong and no one is responding to get me the right strings. Of course im flustered but Im also concerned that he may have fallen ill or worse. If anyone is in the know could you please enlighten me
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Anyone know what’s up with Kalium?
- Thread starter RealJeffJenkins
- Start date
I placed an order Aug 6 and according to the web the order sat in the processing state. I called Aug 8 just to make sure the web interface didn't mess up. I left a message and haven't gotten a call back or email. It is now Aug 15 and still no word on my order and the order is still in the processing state. Not sure how long I should wait before going somewhere else. Also, there is no place on their web pages to cancel an order.
This is the first time I've had any issues with Kalium. In the past all orders were filled quickly. They've also been helpful to me on the phone and via emails in the past.
This is the first time I've had any issues with Kalium. In the past all orders were filled quickly. They've also been helpful to me on the phone and via emails in the past.
I am now officially done with Kalium for good.
I placed an order in late December and received confirmation the next day that they got the order (and accepted my payment). Then... nothing. After about two weeks I called. Skip answered, I gave him the order number, and he assured me that they have plenty of stock and that he'd get it out the next day. That was over 10 days ago, and I've still heard nothing. I tried calling back twice (not easy to do during business hours since I live in Western Australia) and got voicemail both time. A large number of emails have also been ignored. On top of all of that, I am now locked out of my account on the Kalium website for no reason. I'm pretty sure he's avoiding me at this point and I now doubt I'll ever see my money or my strings.
This whole experience pains me so much. I've used Kalium exclusively since way back in the Circle K days for my standard and non-standard tuned instruments and I've raved about them to everyone. I can't take someone taking my money and then letting me sit here with no communication and no obvious intent to send me my stuff. This is not the first time I've had this type of issue, but each time a phone call got things back on track. Unacceptable for any business.
I plan to try Newtone for my next set. Interested in any suggestions that anyone has for alternatives.
-Y
I placed an order in late December and received confirmation the next day that they got the order (and accepted my payment). Then... nothing. After about two weeks I called. Skip answered, I gave him the order number, and he assured me that they have plenty of stock and that he'd get it out the next day. That was over 10 days ago, and I've still heard nothing. I tried calling back twice (not easy to do during business hours since I live in Western Australia) and got voicemail both time. A large number of emails have also been ignored. On top of all of that, I am now locked out of my account on the Kalium website for no reason. I'm pretty sure he's avoiding me at this point and I now doubt I'll ever see my money or my strings.
This whole experience pains me so much. I've used Kalium exclusively since way back in the Circle K days for my standard and non-standard tuned instruments and I've raved about them to everyone. I can't take someone taking my money and then letting me sit here with no communication and no obvious intent to send me my stuff. This is not the first time I've had this type of issue, but each time a phone call got things back on track. Unacceptable for any business.
I plan to try Newtone for my next set. Interested in any suggestions that anyone has for alternatives.
-Y
Sad. I consider Skip a friend, but yeah, no, he just can't seem to run a business. Not everyone is cut out for it...
I made the same decision a year or so ago. I had briefly made the swap to Stringjoy before, which had excellent service, but I came back to Kalium after hearing that things had been trending in the right direction. Once again, the strings took two months to arrive, so I was done. Since I had picked up a Dingwall, finding a suitable alternative for strings was difficult. Ultimately, I settled on ordering custom sets of D'Addario XLs from Jason at Fret Nation. He's very helpful, and the prices are good, too.
Have you considered trying the multi-scale set of the SIT Power Wound Nickels? I don't own a Dingwall, but the they have been my favorite NPS rounds for one of my Yamahas.
Fret Nation lists it for $25.
SIT Powerwound Nickel Bass String Set Dingwall Style - 5-String 45-128
SIT Power Wound Nickel Plated Steel 5 String Set 45-128 NR545128MS For MultiScale Instruments like Dingwall Basses w/ 37" B-String Scale Lengths NR545128MS - .045 .058 .077T .098T .128T SIT Power Wound Nickel Bass Strings are Nickel Plated Steel Round Wound over a Swedish Steel Hex Core. Great...
fretnation.com
EDIT: Or, is your Dingwall a 4-string?
Looking at the gauges in the SIT set, 45-58-77T-98T-128T, I would say they're close enough. The main difference is three of the four are tapered, and the taper is actually shorter than most at 1.5" to fit on the Dingwall bridge better.
Sadly, I'm having the same experience. Ordered early Jan. No response to emails. Called and spoke with Skip, who was very friendly and assured me tracking info that day, 2 weeks later, nothing. No answer via phone.
Everything about them is so good except for these massive order delays. I really want to see them succeed!
Even thought this thread is a year old as I post this, just wanted to document my recent experience.
I went to place an order with Kalium a few weeks ago, but some of the gauges I wanted were out of stock. I decided to check back periodically waiting for the stock to be replenished. Turns out, the longer I wait, the more strings go "out of stock." I sent email yesterday to see when they plan on getting more stock in and asking if I should be looking for another source for strings. I will reply to this thread when/if I hear back.
I hope they aren't going out of business. For the full range taping instrument I build (for fun) I have to put together custom sets. Due to string length, scale length and gauge, I just can't get those anywhere. Many places don't sell custom sets (or singles) in the range of gauges I need and/or what they do sell doesn't have the correct length/wrap dimensions.
I went to place an order with Kalium a few weeks ago, but some of the gauges I wanted were out of stock. I decided to check back periodically waiting for the stock to be replenished. Turns out, the longer I wait, the more strings go "out of stock." I sent email yesterday to see when they plan on getting more stock in and asking if I should be looking for another source for strings. I will reply to this thread when/if I hear back.
I hope they aren't going out of business. For the full range taping instrument I build (for fun) I have to put together custom sets. Due to string length, scale length and gauge, I just can't get those anywhere. Many places don't sell custom sets (or singles) in the range of gauges I need and/or what they do sell doesn't have the correct length/wrap dimensions.
