I'm starting to get a little worried too. I hope Duke is okay.
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
AudioKinesis Cabs Part VI...
- Thread starter Thor
- Start date
Al Kraft
Supporting Member
- May 2, 2016
- 10,771
- 40,450
- Disclosures
- Mesa Boogie beta product tester and player support
I suspect circumstances beyond his control are getting the better of him. However, he is a man of his word and I believe he will deliver what he has promised.
Maybe if one of us gets in touch with him they can suggest he give a quick update on where all the backorders stand. I'm sure that obligation hanging over his head is weighing heavily on him, and it is understandably frustrating for those waiting not to know the latest status.
I've talked to Duke on the phone in the past and he seemed like a nice stand up guy and I own a couple of his fantastic cabs, but it gets to a point where you have to wonder. It's been what, 9 months since he's logged on here? I haven't seen anything on here where anyone has got their deposits back, nor anyone mention where they have received any communication from him apologizing for the delay of their orders and when to expect delivery. This is starting to smell like the Bob Gunnison(Dave Funk) ordeal where diehard believers would not accept that Bob would take people's money and not deliver. And let's not forget Marc Serio(Dr. Bass)!! I'm sorry, but if it were me I'd be hounding the guy and making noise about what the heck is going on. I don't care what the circumstances are, this is no way to run a business. With that being said let's hope this works out for everyone.
Last edited:
hmmm.
i think his mom was real sick (maybe died?).
and we’re in the middle of a pandemic.
dunno.
i hope he’s okay.
i think his mom was real sick (maybe died?).
and we’re in the middle of a pandemic.
dunno.
i hope he’s okay.
I, too, hope that Duke is okay.
His mom passed away.
I haven't spoken with Duke and I don't have a cab on order -- I cannot speak for him and don't presume to tell folks waiting on an order how to act or feel. I was told, second-hand, that, after his mom passed, there was complex fallout and that it had fallen to Duke to try to sort a difficult situation. Again, I have not spoken with Duke directly, might have misunderstood what I did hear, and can't presume to speak for him.
I do believe that, if he's away, it's because he's dealing with difficult circumstances. I hope that he and his family are well and in good health. I hope, too, that he's able to start filling folks' orders before long. I agree that some communication would be good and can understand folks feeling anxious.
There is the pandemic, which has impacted a lot of people directly and indirectly.
Whatever the case and however things play out, Duke and Marc Serio (Dr. Bass) are different people. I believe that Duke will do what he can to make things right.
In other news (and to the delight, no doubt, of my neighbors), though I can't play them out right now (and though it's total overkill for practice at home), I've been playing, for the last few days, through the Changeling 112 stacked atop the Hathor 1203 -- the stack sounds great with the Handbox R-400, the Orange 4-Stroke 500, and the Reiner 6SL7 pre. The Quilter Bass Block and Kustom KXB500 also work well with the stack.
I've been running the C112 with one port open and the rear mid/high driver in the "-7 dB" position. Hathor sealed (though I suspect that I might unplug it outdoors or in a big room). Mid and high switches up (engaged) on both. Sounds good with fretless, with my main bass with rounds, and with the P with flats. Very responsive to EQ (and to the basses' passive tone controls) with all the amps and sounds good with all of the amps set more-or-less flat.
Stacking the cabs, as one would expect, fills out the bottom end. The stack also sounds smoother to me (perhaps as a result) than a single cab.
I look forward to being able to take the stack out (safely) and open it up, making music with others.
Take care, y'all.
I've been running the C112 with one port open and the rear mid/high driver in the "-7 dB" position. Hathor sealed (though I suspect that I might unplug it outdoors or in a big room). Mid and high switches up (engaged) on both. Sounds good with fretless, with my main bass with rounds, and with the P with flats. Very responsive to EQ (and to the basses' passive tone controls) with all the amps and sounds good with all of the amps set more-or-less flat.
Stacking the cabs, as one would expect, fills out the bottom end. The stack also sounds smoother to me (perhaps as a result) than a single cab.
I look forward to being able to take the stack out (safely) and open it up, making music with others.
Take care, y'all.
Totally agree. I think it's very unfortunate for those who are being introduced to Duke's cabs at this time and who are uncertain of his character, I'd be anxious too - the price of a new cab is not insignificant, at least for me. I do believe he'll make things right, though. The biggest (perhaps only?) flaw in Duke's business is that it's a one-man operation so when he can't work, everything stops. In the past though, when this happened (didn't he suffer an injury like 2 years ago or something?), he'd pop in just to say "Hey guys, this is the situation, I plan on being able to resume building cabs around (insert date here)". This time though, there's been nothing, so I'm starting to worry for the man.
On a lighter note, I had my first band rehearsal in 4 months and it felt soooooooo good. The drummer has a large enough yard (and cool enough neighbors) so that we could set up in a semi-circle and maintain a sufficient distance between us. I had my tall Changeling 112 sitting on a board (didn't want to leave it directly on the grass, even if it's been bone dry here for weeks) with my Quilter Bass Block on top. I tried something different this time : Took all the port plugs out and turned all switches "off" for a rounder tone. Turned the gain up (past 6) on the amp and just had to crack the master volume open (around the 40W mark). I usually do the opposite (low gain, crank the master volume higher), but I liked it - it gets kinda wooly. Nice and fat and sounded real good for funk and modern pop. My compressor is out for repairs, so thought I'd give the amp's limiter a try...turns out it's pretty nice!
Your second post is giving me "stack envy", even if I reckon it'd be complete overkill for me, the sound must be glorious. Hmmmm...should I get another cab when Duke is back? I'm thinking a tall Hathor 1203 to pair with my tall Changeling?
Last edited:
Count me in the boat of folks waiting and wondering where their cab is. I ordered 2 x H1506 in August of 2019 and put down a deposit at that time. Duke gave me something like a 12 to 15 week build time (I would have to consult my email to get the exact original ETA). Anyway, I thought I *might* have the cabs by Thanksgiving but definitely thought I would have them by Christmas. I talked to Duke in January and he told me he thought it would be another few months or so. I haven't heard from him since then, nor have I tried to contact him again.
I actually don't mind that it is taking so long (I have my own experiences with family issues and am understanding of that) but I DO mind that there is effectively zero communication. If Duke would communicate with me I would tell him he could actually jump others in front of me beacause I started a new house build and need all the money I can muster for that project. I am afraid to try to tell him that however because at this point I don't have as much trust as others that have dealt with Duke in the past.
Thay said, I am happy so many others on this site put faith and backing into Duke. Without that I would have cut bait and run by now. I am sticking with the order and we shall see what happens.
I actually don't mind that it is taking so long (I have my own experiences with family issues and am understanding of that) but I DO mind that there is effectively zero communication. If Duke would communicate with me I would tell him he could actually jump others in front of me beacause I started a new house build and need all the money I can muster for that project. I am afraid to try to tell him that however because at this point I don't have as much trust as others that have dealt with Duke in the past.
Thay said, I am happy so many others on this site put faith and backing into Duke. Without that I would have cut bait and run by now. I am sticking with the order and we shall see what happens.
Al Kraft
Supporting Member
- May 2, 2016
- 10,771
- 40,450
- Disclosures
- Mesa Boogie beta product tester and player support
A very fair and reasonable point of view given the circumstances. Having had conversations with Duke regarding designs as well as being a customer, I just wanted to share a perspective that seems more consistent with the man I came to know.
I agree 100% that the facts surrounding AK cab orders are hard to explain beyond - money paid, no one has heard anything regarding their orders, and significant time has passed. I will not deny that the story at face value with only the information we know at present isn't reassuring. However, I just wanted to try and offer more hope than I would for say those other folks you mentioned deserved. Although admittedly the facts and the time that has passed do not make my opinion very comforting.
FWIW, I still believe Duke will come through.
Wow. I first dealt with Duke in the early Oughts, when he was selling high-end audio equipment and edging into speaker design. Certainly a stand-up guy! But I fear that circumstances are overwhelming him. My last purchase from him - maybe 18 months ago? - included significant delay...which proved advantageous as I changed my order from a pair of Changeling 112T to a single Hathor 1533, which has turned out to be a great cabinet. Duke is no scamster, but continuing radio silence is not a good thing, in many ways. Wishing the best for him, for all on his list, and for all of us, in these wild and crazy times...
I would be hopeful that the spinning out of control globe, is a partial cause. Health is most important - anxiety and depression can be a b!tch. I have a Hathor of his - it was nearly double the length of time as discussed - but i didn't care.. He pulled off my fav cab and its flawless. He was a true gentleman to deal with, from start to finish.
All the best Duke! (another 'hope Duke is ok' from me)
All the best Duke! (another 'hope Duke is ok' from me)
I'm waiting on a cab since last August. Duke's issues with aging parents began around October 2019. I had been communicating with him by email every several months to see how the cab was coming. I know this because I looked through my email and I see that was the first he mentioned these issues to me. All the while, he had offered to refund me my money if that's what I chose to do. But I do trust him and I told him that I did not want a refund unless he was unable to build cabs any longer. The last I inquired and heard back from him was the middle of May. He was out of state dealing with this and did not anticipate that he would be back to build cabs for at least one month, possibly two or longer.
I do not feel comfortable airing other people's personal issues on a forum in a third person position, so that is all I'm going to say here.
I do not feel comfortable airing other people's personal issues on a forum in a third person position, so that is all I'm going to say here.
One thing is certain - Duke is no ripoff artist. If he's incommunicado there's a reason - mental duress, physical incapacitation, etc.
Lowendtech
Happily trending in my own peculiar direction.
This^^
I’m more worried for The Man. Duke is one of the good ones.
Also worth considering, he resides in a county adjacent to the area in Texas that had the earliest high-number COVID infections and continues to see excessive numbers (nearly triple what we have).
And until May 21, Texas restricted travel from Louisiana, which is where I think Duke had been traveling.
His build times can also be greatly affected by weather, since he lives on a lot with flooding issues that occasionally render his workshop unusable. And this Spring/Summer has been unusually humid. It's my understanding that any delays in drying time can significantly impact the build timeframe or even be prohibitive due to effects on the joints and bracing stability (EDIT: and/or quality and durability of the outer coating).
And until May 21, Texas restricted travel from Louisiana, which is where I think Duke had been traveling.
His build times can also be greatly affected by weather, since he lives on a lot with flooding issues that occasionally render his workshop unusable. And this Spring/Summer has been unusually humid. It's my understanding that any delays in drying time can significantly impact the build timeframe or even be prohibitive due to effects on the joints and bracing stability (EDIT: and/or quality and durability of the outer coating).
Last edited:
Looks like a lot of people waiting for these cabinets. If anyone wants to divest themselves of a changeling or hathor cabinet at this point I'd be interested in purchasing it. There's a fellow the next state over that has some thunder child cabinets but that's not really the sound I'm looking for. Sorry if this seems an appropriate post by just keep missing them when they come up for sale in the classifieds.
