I think Kahler has lost their minds

My guess is that they aren't selling them like they used to, and there aren't many (any?) models of guitar that come stock with them, so they lose that income, too.
 
I was just looking at the Kahler website yesterday and saw those high prices. I thought used stuff was stupid high. Has the price of brass gone up lately?
 
Well, I guess the Steve Dallas sig model will be going with Floyd Rose....Damn shame.

$250 for a Floyd & Locking nut.
 
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Thought I'd review the prices on Squeebay and Treeverb...Bunch of sellers from China (Kahler is located in California), and some from "China, Israel", etc. Sounds like a scam to me.
 
Mincer said:
My guess is that they aren't selling them like they used to, and there aren't many (any?) models of guitar that come stock with them, so they lose that income, too.
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Dean is still using them for OEM. I prefer Kahler to FR, but at that price, there are other offerings I like. Babicz is still affordable at $120 - $200, depending on the model. If I was going to drop that kind of money I would buy another Sofia which has more features and upgraded functionality. I just can not gel with a FR.
 
ICTGoober said:
Thought I'd review the prices on Squeebay and Treeverb...Bunch of sellers from China (Kahler is located in California), and some from "China, Israel", etc. Sounds like a scam to me.
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There are a lot of bootleg FR and Kahler trems out there. When I bought my Iceman it had a bootleg Kahler which was substandard quality and the rollers were all frozen. It was the first thing I replaced.
 
larryguitar said:
Wait, Kahler is still in business? Having used only one, my first question is 'how'? :)

Larry
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They are great tremolos. Kahlers have a very smooth action. They require less maintenance and tweaking than a Floyd Rose. It is unnecessary to block the tremolo to keep it from going sharp. String changes are fast and easy; no tools are required. I am not saying they are better than an FR or any other tremolo simply; many users prefer the Kahler for these and many different reasons.
 
Wait, Kahler is still in business?
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Gary Kahler never went out of business. In the late 80's and early 90's his firm still produced other guitar parts for the OEM market, but his main thrust was suing all the Asian companies making cheap copies of his Kahler vibrato. He refused to license his concept (unlike Floyd Rose, who was more interested in the money than the lack of quality from whoever made versions of his stuff).
 
I've always liked Kahlers. I think the hard part was getting around Floyd Rose's patents and having to use the behind-the-nut locks for all those years.
 
Securb said:
Dean is still using them for OEM. I prefer Kahler to FR, but at that price, there are other offerings I like. Babicz is still affordable at $120 - $200, depending on the model. If I was going to drop that kind of money I would buy another Sofia which has more features and upgraded functionality. I just can not gel with a FR.
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Why did floyds win? I had a khaler in the late 80s, but it was a floating two post design with a locking nut and I don't remember much about it.

Do the khalers stay in tune as well? Do they have similar bar action? Because it appears that its a superior design because it doesn't require a special rout.
 
If they didn't stay in tune, I would not play them. I think Floyd is more sensitive in the action. That being said I think FRs are overly sensitive. But the Kahler is not tight or stiff in any way and I find it easier to control for more precise stuff. The floating Kahlers and the Kahler Hybryds are two different animals. I have a 7200 Series Hybrid Tremolo I freaking love it.
 
Oh I get that, but any points of friction in a trem like that is a concern.
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And a good luthier will minimize that friction, and teach a good player how to take care of his system so it's never a problem.
 
I went to the bank this afternoon, moved some money around, and then went home to buy some Kahlers off Squeebay and Treeverb to have some in stock. The stud mount versions are getting harder to find.
 
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