KaBL - an announcement.

RobDavies · January 2017

Lads and the very occasional lass.

I've decided to knock the KaBL website on the head.

I will still be taking requests for custom stuff but due to many factors, I can't keep up with the orders and maintaining stock levels that are required to run a "business" where customer service, and speed of service is so important (to me and to you!).

So, by custom stuff, I mean everything that I've previously done but it will all be treated as bespoke orders and as such may be a bit pricier and may take a little longer to send, as I'll be ordering parts for individual jobs, rather than on mass.

I cannot give enough thanks to all of you dudes on The Fretboard (and previously on the old Music Radar site) for all the support, "free" advertising, help and advice over the past five or six years. It's so much appreciated, and one day I will buy the beers at a forum meet up.

Massive thanks to @wibble for creating the site for me and huge thanks to @Jalapeno @mike_l @sporky @JookyChap @ICBM @DavidRees and @digitalscream who've all been top, top fellas in particular. It's always dangerous to do a 'thanks list' as there's bound to be someone I've forgotten...please don't take offence as it's just my 46yr old brain slowly turning to mush.

Cheers all.

Rob.

UnclePsychosis · January 2017

Sad to hear that Rob.

Good luck with whatever comes next. :-)

Bidley · January 2017

Sorry to hear that Rob

hope all is well otherwise.

ThePrettyDamned · January 2017

Very sad

my board is wired up entirely with KaBL leads and looks all the better for it.

Hope your future endeavours go well

and you have a return customer in me,even if there will be a wee wait time.

Jetfire · January 2017

2 of my best leads are kabl. And my new one for my wireless is just that ....

Jalapeno · January 2017

Devasted !

Enjoy the stress reduction amigo !

RobDavies · January 2017

Bidley said:

Sorry to hear that Rob hope all is well otherwise.

Yes mate, everything is fine, thanks for asking.

The reasons are fairly simple. I have a new rota where I do my 'real' work, which means less time off during the week and more time off at weekends. I like to spend my weekends with my family, or at Griffin Park!
I find it a bit of a stress constantly keeping on top of 'stock' control. It's almost a full time job in itself.
There are seemingly quite a few people out there who are undercutting my prices. It's fine - good for them and I have absolutely no problem with that but I can't go lower as it's really not worth leaving a nice cozy house and trudging out to the workshop in the freezing rain for what amounts to only a couple of quid profit, when you take into account income tax etc.

stickyfiddle · January 2017

Very sorry to hear it but if it's to get more time with family that's a very good reason.

boogieman · January 2017

UnclePsychosis said:

Sad to hear that Rob.

Good luck with whatever comes next. :-)

This. All the best Rob.

RocknRollDave · January 2017

Best change your signature, then

PolarityMan · January 2017

Glad I got in while you were still doing it as the custom lead you made for me about a year back is still going strong!

DefaultM · January 2017

I made myself a small cable last year for in between my pedals and I'm pretty sure it cost me about £4 in parts, so I've no idea why people are undercutting you. They must be making nothing.

digitalscream · January 2017

Sounds like it's a positive decision for quality-of-life reasons, and it's impossible to find fault with those.

As such...well done for making the tough decision

Danny1969 · January 2017

It's a hard business to be in. I've been making cables for around 10 years and seen the profit slip down to no more than a couple of quid .... It's still viable for me as most of my customers are bands and order multiple mic leads or drum looms rather than a single cable

Best of luck Rob it's a well respected business you have built up which isn't an easy thing to do