Thanks! yes, that's exactly the bass. (different colour). Even the .136 might be tight? I've got the D'Addario .130 (or whatever it is from their standard 5-string set) in there now with no problem.
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Circle K strings...
- Thread starter James Hart
- Start date
- Apr 29, 2003
- 9,073
- 9,788
- Disclosures
- Contributor- Bass Musician Magazine | Marketing Manager- Trickfish Amplification
I don't get their site and what the numbers mean (Kalium), How do you just find a typical medium set (four string set), there's potentially tons of options on the site? They don"t explain anything, what's their Hybrid set? Does that refer to the material (contrasted with Stainless steel in menu) or the mix of gauges?
"Hybrid" refers to the material(s) (I forget exactly what -- IIRC, basically their take on a nickel string, though I've found them to be a little longer-wearing than most nickels).
They do have prepackaged sets in two categories: 1) Balanced Tension and 2) Traditional/Multiscale. Been awhle since I looked at the site (though glancing at it now shows a re-design), but tensions for the strings are published, if you want to add them up and compare to what you currently use.
"Typical" (not balanced tension) medium set -- just find whatever's closest in gauge to what you normally use.
Balanced tension -- I like the .102 and .106 sets, depending on the bass -- I guess those feel roughly "medium light" and "medium" to me, but the balanced tension thing might be different than you're used to. The strings feel a bit more supple than some, so you might err slightly on the big side. YMMV and all that.
'typical medium' can mean various gauges, choose a set with the closest gauges to what you like. Or you can order singles at no extra cost.
In the shop menu click the down-pointing arrows to open up the submenus:
Electric bass > choose material > choose singles / tensions > choose standard or dropped tuning > choose string count
'Hybrid' strings/sets have an outer wrap wire layer of nickelplated steel with inner wrap wire layers of stainless steel.
'Stainless Steel' strings/sets have all wrap wire layers being stainless steel.
'Balanced' sets have all strings at equal tension, on parallel frets.
'Multiscale / Tradition' sets have tension rising from low to high, on parallel frets (like most mainstream and traditional bass string sets). On multiscale basses the tensions will be roughly equal.
'Standard tuning' means all-fourths.
'Dropped tuning' means lowest interval is a fifth, such as DADG. These sets have the gauge of the lowest string increased to maintain the desired tension.
Once you have selected options there will be a choice of sets listed for various transpositions (EADG is not assumed, there are sets for extreme piccolo to extreme subcontra), each set states the gauge of the lowest string. Browse through the list to find suitable gauges for your tuning.
For example:
For EADG medium tension you would expect gauges of very roughly .045-.105, so look at the .102 and .106 sets.
The tension calculator is now here String Tension Calculator
So... I think I've read posts about Kallium being on and off unreliable or unstable. Are they a reliable dealer now? Can we buy sets of strings and expect them to be delivered in a timely manner?
Many Kalium customers have described them as reliable several years in the past, as far as i can tell from very closely following the company and customer reports right from the beginning, they have been.
'Never will be': no one knows for certain, obviously. It seems they have been at times in the past so they have that potential.
It seems you are exaggerating for dramatic effect.
I am not excusing their often poor communication and slow dispatches, but i encourage rationality.
Years ago I ordered a few sets from them (I think they were still Circle K), they came quickly and I liked the strings quite a bit. Then I started hearing about people having problems with their CS. If they ever improve their rep I'll be happy to try them again. But they must know about what people are saying, and it's been a few years without apparent improvement. So either there's a problem they haven't been able to address, or it's not their top priority.
Seems like they are a one-man operation and not really concerned about selling one set of strings at a time. Just an observation.
Maybe so. If so, I feel even more OK about not patronizing their business.
But nevertheless, why take orders you don't care about? Seems like accepting payment and then not delivering is the wrong thing to do no matter who your main clientele is.
I never ordered just one set from them. I was ordering strings for 6 different basses of varying tunings on multiple occasions. Easily more than half of the time I had to chase them down for my order (weeks before update, tracking number only after inquiry, package not delivered to USPS until almost a week after tracking number sent, etc., etc.). I'd be shocked if things have changed.
I've heard all the excuses....don't order strings from them if you need them right away, don't order too few or too many, one man operation, blah blah blah.
I'd still be using those strings today 7 years later if it wasn't for such piss poor service.
I've heard all the excuses....don't order strings from them if you need them right away, don't order too few or too many, one man operation, blah blah blah.
I'd still be using those strings today 7 years later if it wasn't for such piss poor service.
I am fairly sure that is not true. I have followed them very closely from the beginning and read all the customer reports i can. The customers who ordered mulitple sets seem to have experienced long delays and poor communication just as much as those who ordered single sets
I am sure they will confirm that. I have never seen any indication of preferential treatment of any kind.
