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Kalium Strings Alive and Well

#121
I placed an order a few months back that went nowhere, no communication, had to dispute it through the CC to have it removed. It's amazing that a decade later and still the same shenanigans. It's too bad, I love the product.
 
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#122
Anybody have any info on Skip/Kalium as of late?

Been calling every other day for 2 weeks and no answer regarding an order on 11/22 which hasnt been the norm. Usually he answers when i check on delayed orders but this is the first time ive ever been concerned both for his sake and for the sake of a backup plan for 6 string sets 035-154.
 
#124
bholder said:
Sigh. I worry about Skip every time he goes dark...
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Ive never had a bad conversation with him over all the years. Sometimes just talking shop. Always quick to address an issue and express appreciation for my patience since I know hes on his own. Never a problem to add to an order after the fact by combining orders and refunding duplicate shipping.
1st time having legitimate concerns, though i see others have had issues over the previous year.
 
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#126
I'm glad I saw this thread pop up again! I've always been intrigued by his strings and I see him regularly hawking them on different Facebook bass forums when there is some asking about strings. I've wanted to try some more outside the box Bass VI gauges and was thinking of finally giving him a shot. Now I'm reminded why I've always gotten cold feet in the past! I wish someone else would take his general business model and make it happen with more reliability! I guess there just isn't that much money in such a model- heck even Stringjoy stopped doing alot of their custom gauge options.
 
#127
Man, October is a long wait and backlog. The lack of phone response is disconcerting. Never experienced this with him in the past 10 years. 1st time considering disputing the charges with my bank. Its not like hes answering to grant a refund and if he did my response would be to just get the bloody strings in the mail.

I have many backup strings of various tension levels but need a few random to complete full sets on top of the order im already waiting for. Combining with other manufacturers doesnt work well IMO.

That being said if he bounces back they're definitely worth it. Dont want to go back to XLs and DRs.
 
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#128
DriftyOmega said:
Man, October is a long wait and backlog. The lack of phone response is disconcerting. Never experienced this with him in the past 10 years. 1st time considering disputing the charges with my bank. Its not like hes answering to grant a refund and if he did my response would be to just get the bloody strings in the mail.

I have many backup strings of various tension levels but need a few random to complete full sets on top of the order im already waiting for. Combining with other manufacturers doesnt work well IMO.

That being said if he bounces back they're definitely worth it. Dont want to go back to XLs and DRs.
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The last order I had only ended when I sent a final email asking him for a firm ETA or my next would be to dispute the charges. Shortly after that the order was cancelled and I was refunded, still no actual response though.

I've switched to Newtone strings now for my extended range needs, since they're the only other company I've found that does custom sets and extended range gauges. I'm happy with them so far.
 
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#130
Shanannigan said:
The last order I had only ended when I sent a final email asking him for a firm ETA or my next would be to dispute the charges. Shortly after that the order was cancelled and I was refunded, still no actual response though.

I've switched to Newtone strings now for my extended range needs, since they're the only other company I've found that does custom sets and extended range gauges. I'm happy with them so far.
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Hows the Shipping time? I see you're in Ontario which is close to where i am in NY. Cost with shipping looks like it equals Kaliums' cost.

I missed their custom string page when initially checking their site. Thank you. They look like a good option.
 
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#131
DriftyOmega said:
Hows the Shipping time? I see you're in Ontario which is close to where i am in NY. Cost with shipping looks like it equals Kaliums' cost.

I missed their custom string page when initially checking their site. Thank you. They look like a good option.
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Yeah, prices are similar to Kalium. They say that custom orders take up to 14 days to ship out, and I've found that they've kept within that window each time I've ordered.
 
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#132
Still nothing. I found him on Facebook and even tried to message him there. I’m gonna have to call my bank to remove the charge. Pretty ridiculous business practice. I’ve ordered from him for years but this is the first time it’s been this bad. Guess I’ll have to piece together sets from DDario. Not many other companies fill that market for heavy custom gauge strings and balanced sets.
 
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#137
Same here. Already parsed out the gauges from D'addario since they have string tension calculator on their site now, but I still have some backup and partial sets. If I hear he's back Id happily restock, especially for my 8 string like you say, but i also dont mind spending less per set right now.
Want to check out Newtone but they dont have a string tension guide and they offered no guidance when I asked, so it'll have to be a thing of buying every gauge in proximity to a general set and feeling out when they're in balance, then trying Diamond-vs-Platinum. Maybe when moneys good.
 
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#139
Fan Fret said:
So has anyone gotten the strings they have paid for, or is Kalium gone?
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No one seems to know for sure. I for one have given up on Kalium. After months and months of not receiving 2 separate orders and not getting any response to inquiries I ended up disputing the charges. It's a shame, too. He made really great strings.
 
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#140
Yep, I've been waiting on an order placed February 5. Processing. No response to my voicemails or email. I'm going to call the credit card company and dispute the charge.

I'm going to look at Newtone Strings. Curious to see what they have.
 
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