I pre-ordered an AK via Sweetwater, as I have (had) an empty credit card with them. Anybody have a speculation on when these start reaching retailers / distributors?
My sales guy at sweetwater said they had no idea when they expect them. I’ll get one eventually I suppose.
my sweetwater guy said middle of january.
Sounds about right. I’ve seen 1/10-1/14 on a few retail sites.
Thanks.
I’m hearing an estimate of maybe next week (week starting Jan 6) from JRRShop. Hope so, but we’ll see!
–pmags
Just got an email from my guy at sweetwater.
"Hi Derek,
The ETA I have from Elekron is 1/24 (two weeks from today). I’ll certainly keep you posted if I hear of any changes.
Thanks,"
Assuming is is elektrons estimated shipping date, so who knows how long before they arrive at sweetwater, and then how long before they are shipped to customers. Hopefully the shipment is a good quantity.
I certainly so not recall Elektron stating the Analog Keys going on sale was “a pre-sale…other than the only FIVE we have constructed” (paraphrasing from another thread).
Would be plenty pissed if I had gone against my intuition and forked-over all the $ only to be waiting a good month later.
There WILL be an official AK Reference Manual, as I asked support directly since addendum A4 O.S. 1.1 Manual hardly covers many functions that are indeed exclusive to AK.
Noticed the reason there’s not been much talk in this thread on AK is there’s been a REALLY A LOT of talk over at gearslutz by same people here and even one of the VERY FEW that actually received their AK…and with all those pages on GS, not ONE demo/video example of AK.
This is really odd.
In Germany the AK arrive 20.Fevrier. 
at Thomann. And Thomann ist the biggest dealer in Germany. Whats up??
I called Elektron and they don´t know when it starts. I ´ve sold my A4 and i´m p…ed off, sorry for my bad words. 
Thats not nice.
I’m in the same boat, I don’t expect to get mine before mid to late February.
I did not think it was pragmatic to sell my A4 whilst wanting to add an AK because with AK midi controller capabilities, it sure seems one can have both, just cannot link the two for true 8 voice as to have both units operate as if poly chained, et al.
This new machine could well be an asset to having both, so holding tight and sitting on cache of cash until NAMM 2014 fall-out.
My Sweetwater rep could only state they have their orders placed but have not been given any definite date; nor do they even know how many units will be shipped initially.
I tend to not like low serial numbers and to wait until actual owners start posting videos and forum threads–notwithstanding the still-awaiting Analog Keys Reference Manual. Very interested in the many specifics of AK that simply are not in new A4 pdf Reference Manual.
Btw, reading the “title” made me think. I remember asking a local store of which you can buy elektron stuff, but the seller said Elektron don’t really work this way. Because they want the full profit - it’s the same if you buy directly from them, and apparently they don’t sell their products to “retailers and distributers” in a lower price for the retailers to make the profit. So i’m kind of wondering why didn’t you just buy direct from Elektron?
I mean, as for warranty - it’s going to be the same anyway. If your AK gets broken, you get a 3 year warranty with Elektron. If you’ll buy from a retailer\distributor - what do you think he’s going to do? Send it to Elektron anyway. So what’s the difference?
I ordered mine from sweetwater for a few reasons:
1: it IS slightly cheaper, even if not by a lot
2: I have a nice credit line with them with 24months w/o financing at the time I ordered (main reason)
3: they have great customer service and I’m friends with a few guys that work for sweetwater. I used to live near the office, and I play shows with some of their employees from time to time. As far as mark up, I can tell you that it might not be substantial, but it is there. Relative cost on a new OT is 950$ including shipping for instance.
As far as warranty / repairs : Elektron has a service tech in my area (Atlanta, Ga) so I could make a claim and even drop it off to the guy myself as a few of my acquaintances have done for minor repairs. He is a cool guy and relevant in the local synth scene.
Either way, it doesn’t really make a difference in the case of the keys. More than a few people ordered direct, and are still waiting. It’s not as if I would have gotten it much quicker.
Building a strong relationship with a local music store is invaluable. When my OT was defective, I brought it back to the store I got it from, and left with a brand new one, leaving my friend at the shop to deal with Elektron. Also, if you make friends with the store employees, you will be able to borrow gear to try out, will get first pick on used kit that people are looking to sell, etc…
Cheers 
Also, Sweetwater has a few advantages when ordering from them in that: 1) on almost all gear, you get an extended TWO YEAR warranty ON TOP of Elektron’s already generous 3 years, and 2) their “Sweetcare” includes in-depth technical support as well as bar-none the best customer service as well as free shipping.
When I bought my A4 barely used from chap on ebay, he had originally purchased it from Sweetwater and through healthy communication, and email of original sales receipt, sans any personal financial info of prior owner; was able to transfer original Elektron Warranty to me as well as the time left on Sweetwater coverage…all through everyone ‘playing nice’ with each other.
They were once a much smaller operation but instead of franchising and building more stores in their growth, which would possibly mean passing higher costs onto customers as well as stretching thin something they have impeccably got right–they simply recently massively expanded the Sweetwater building location.
Have not been to a Guitar Center in a very long time because it’s the difference between greasy fast food with roaches in kitchen and a reputable family dinner restaurant. Plus, the huge chains including Musicians Friend, whom is actually connected to Guitar Center Chains, have been caught red-handed especially of recent, trying to pass off ‘open box’ for ‘brand new’ as to have no scruples whatsoever.
First, i don’t live in the U.S.A, so buying from sweetwater is meanningless (i can, but then there will be shpping VAT and additional taxes). And the fact that there’s a repair center in L.A. is nice but torally unrelevant for all of us not living in the U.S.A. So if an Elektron product needs fixing - than sending it to a local store will only result in them sending it to Elektron for repair.
What i don’t get is what the stores get out of selling Elektron products, if Elektron aren’t selling it to retailers in “retail price”.
If you live in some areas the Elektron Online Shop doesn’t give you any choice but to purchase from a distributor:
“In Australia we work with a distributor. This means you are only able to buy certain accessory items in our Online Shop. If you want to buy our machines, please contact the distributor and they will help you out.”
I contacted my nearest store who had spoke to Elektron a few days ago, apparently they’re now quoting March before they hit stores!
It would be great if someone from Elektron could chime in with a brief update, especially if there have been production delays beyond their control.
I understand they can’t offer specifics of shipping dates, but at least something to the effect of “Major shipments to retailers are unlikely to occur until at least…”
Well they also said they were told they would have more info after NAMM. So hopefully we’ll get an update in the next few days.
I think it is not clever to announce a new machine and then there are problems with the supplier??
There are many people who wants this machine. And no infos nothing. You write E-Mails to Elektron, no answers. You call, no info.
I call to my supplier here in Germany, no info when what , nothing.
I think a lot of people are dissatsfied for this situation.
And now the Rytm arrives! Will occur because the same problems, but i will buy this two new machines.
But wait months long is the horror.
Why does not receive honest answer.
Elektron i love your machins. Hähä 
Can’t speak for every retailer in every country but Elektron have always been great for us to deal with and I’d like to think we add a lot in terms of local demos and training to what Elektron already offers.