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Anybody deal with them? I placed a telephone order about a month ago and
have yet to see it (Violin tools). I have called the past two days only to get a
busy signal and they have yet to respond to an email. They seem to be well
established so I am not sure what the deal is. Just wondering if anyone else
out there has or currently deals with them.

I have bought a couple of things from them, but have had some of the same experience you have had.  I finally caught someone answering the phone, and he said my shipment had been returned for incorrect address. It finally came about a week after that, but they sure are hard to follow-up with.  It must be some sort of part-time thing now.  I think they were bigger and more dependable years ago.  I could be wrong.  He did find and send me a screw for a Gotoh tuner button a couple of years ago.  It wasn't a perfect fit, but it's better than having a hole there, and it doesn't fall out.

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Waddy

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Sound Clips of most of my guitars

Man, that is not comforting. I'm waiting on a couple of these items to finish a Christmas present. I should have posted about the company here prior to placing the order Hopefully I will get something squared away soon.

Waddy's right, it is probably part time now. They used to be great, but I think the owner died and the widow is trying to keep it open with part time help.

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They are still up and running same as always. They are in Tulsa OK and do mostly bulk stuff. In all the years I have bought stuff hard to get on phone. They do have better prices than stew mac or lmi on some stuff. not a big selection of wood, but stuff have is good. I get my brace wood there euro and looks like close grain adi.
I used to live not far from them and go to Tulsa a few time a month to see kids and grandkids. If anyone ever needs me to get something let me know and no problem to do it.

Day three and still a busy signal

Hi Kahle,

This may not help at all, but just to be sure, is this the contact information you have?

Phone: 918-835-4181
Fax: 918-835-2106
Email: contact@internationalluthiers.com

I’ve called them about their violin kits, which I found to have the most variety,
and the best prices. The gentleman I spoke with, was extremely helpful, and polite.
He told me of the quality of materials as per kit. He explained many of the building techniques
involved in violin building. So, my experience with them, so far, was a pleasant one, and
I will be purchasing one of their kits.

There are other explanations for the busy signal, but I suppose you have already thought of those.
Here’s one that I’ve had a problem with. I have a caller ID block feature with my phone service.
I can, with a code, un-block it, before I make the call, which has allowed me to get through to
some places, when I couldn’t get through before with it blocked.

Having said that, I can't remember whether or not I did that when I called.

Hope this helps,

Robert

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Everything has beauty, But, not everyone see's it!

My cell comes up private but many of my calls were from the home phone.
Will try again today. (Later its is only 630 in Tulsa now) Fingers crossed. I
am to the point where I need some of the tools I ordered.

They're located in Oklahoma, right? I think I may know what the problem is...

"Them boys from Oklahoma..." - Cross Canadian Ragweed

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GregH
Fot Wuth

Kahle.

You aren't alone, I've read in the last year many who have tried to buy from them have been stifled. I used to order from them and they were great, but something has changed and it is much more trouble. Try an email, that was my last success.

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I remember buying stuff from these folks way back in the late 60's.

They were one of just a few places (H.L. Wild in NY and Joseph Wallo in DC) where you could actually get stuff to make guitars.

They still have a nice Flamenco peg that is unlike anything else out there so I may place an order at some point.

It certainly is not the same as dealing with LMI who, over the years, have become very dependable and extremely efficient......I guess I'm spoiled.......

In this day and age when a company can't take internet orders but have a web page and still use paper order forms I'll stay away. Move into the 21st century.

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Guitars, guitars and more guitars.

[QUOTE=DP LaPlante]

I remember buying stuff from these folks way back in the late 60's.

They were one of just a few places (H.L. Wild in NY and Joseph Wallo in DC) where you could actually get stuff to make guitars.

They still have a nice Flamenco peg that is unlike anything else out there so I may place an order at some point.

It certainly is not the same as dealing with LMI who, over the years, have become very dependable and extremely efficient......I guess I'm spoiled.......

[/QUOTE]

I have the Wallo book and plans.  My introduction to guitar construction, and my interest in the subject.  Little did I know that it would be over 20 yearss before I would start.

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Waddy

Photobucket Build Album Library

Sound Clips of most of my guitars

I worked at ILS for a couple of years in the late 1970's. Definitely a Mom and Pop place. Biggest benefit was getting to handle a lot german spruce and meeting a few now-famous luthiers. Bill Collings would come in to select brace material and would tap on every one.

Just an update....mad phone contact 11-20...they advised that it shipped 11-16....still waiting

edit... MADE phone contact...but the mad phone contact is just on the horizon

Don't forget Vitali Imports...the H.L.Wild of the West Coast.   I still have an H.L.Wild catalog from 1963 when I walked there from the Village after hitch hiking to New York from Boston...

Good information is valuable, but remember folks, the OLF is not a place to vent your frustrations about any company.
I am not saying that anyone has -yet- just a reminder

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Lance@LuthiersForum.com

Not trying to vent but when I was unable to make any contact with the
company I was curious as to whether anyone else had experience with these
folks. Didn't know where else to turn. Sorry, I'll keep it to myself.

Rick, I think I still have the shredded remains of the one I got in the summer of '66.........I also remember they charged me all of $20. for my first set of Brazilian rosewood.................................!! 

I hadn't thought of that place in years until this thread.  It really was one of the only places to get wood in the late 60's and early 70's.  If memory serves, it was in a pretty seedy part of Baltimore (guess there were lots of places like that there back then...).  I also went to Joe Wallo's place and got plans and every bit of info I could from him, he was a big help.  There were not too many other places to go. I'm glad things have changed...

Bruce

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Bruce Herrmann
"What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us."

Bruce, Intl. Luthiers is in OK. You are probably thinking of Intl. Violin Supply which is in Balto. K

I've been there four times over the last two years trying to pick up several necks and a bow. They say "it will be ready next week" and it never is. I'm out $600 and a lot of grief. The Tulsa Better Business Bureau has 18 complaints agains them, all unresolved.

The owner, an older lady, died this year and her stoner son and grandson run the place now. He told me he bought a $500,000 machine at a conference in Vegas and has hired two guys, but he can't seem to get my project done.

They will not answer the phone or e-mails or fax requests for info. They will take your money. Go to the TulsaBBB and file a complaint.

Best wishes,

Adam