End of days

[d03nut]

Does this not feel like the beginning of the end for some of us here, or at the very least for what the internet has to offer us in this particular setting?

 

I know I personally had promised the membership that I was going to opt for "early retirement" because I was feeling a bit of a thread ennui. I had run out of things to say myself and frankly wasn't too thrilled about seeing another "Taylor vs. Martin" discussion either. I've since had a semi-change of heart, not that anybody cares.

 

Be that as it may, there's still a great many AG members -going back just a couple of years- who either don't drop by as often or who've disappeared altogether. Which makes me wonder if there's a useful period to sites such as these, that they have a limited shelf-life or an expiration date, in a manner of speaking?

 

While it's understandable that after an initial burst of enthusiasm, one just can't help but slow down a little, it's still regrettable. Just when people are getting past the initial more "superficial" stuff, they're ready to move on it seems, thus failing to connect on a deeper more meaningful level with their fellow acousticians. Maybe the "law of diminishing returns" not only applies to tone-hunting but to guitar-speak as well.

 

As always, maybe I'm reading too much into this and that my doomsday scenario is greatly exxagerated. I sincerely hope so and that we're just going through an "end of the beginning" phase.

 

I am grateful for the new blood, I just would like to see some of those "old" familiar faces again too...

[drnihili]

This is pretty typical for any forum. People come, stay a while, get to be old, and eventually wander off. A very few stay through a few cycles, but eventually real life comes to us all, our priorities change and we're off. It's part of the natural life cycle of forums Nothing is permanent except change. You can never step in the same river, or post in the same forum, twice.

[Cripes]

There are lulls even in war.

 

Enthusiasm and anticipation are works of the heart that eventually leave the participant in the been there, done that state of soul. The mind might still be willing but the spirited exchange must eventually flatten out after the major wealth of information has become common knowledge.

 

In the time I've been here I have read so much stuff about acoustic guitars, from soup to nuts, that I've settled back and set the cruise control. I don't have near the distractions that some have - new babies, new jobs, new homes, etc. - but this is still one good source of entertainment for me. And, I do otherwise have a life. I guess that makes me a cheap date. It's still fun and I really don't have a problem answering the same questions three posts apart. This is where I have met many people and I must say that if geography wasn't an obstacle I would make an effort to meet with them, jam, collaborate and generally get involved musically.

 

When I was in the military there was a comraderie, which I think you are alluding to, that was puncture-proof and consisted of quite a few people. When we all went our separate ways there was definitely a sense of loss felt deep in the chest. This place has definitely been flavored that way and, as all good things do, it will evolve into something different. We had some rather spirited debates and were keen to discover each other as much as the guitar. Now we have a pretty good handle on both and others behind us are enjoying our "lost ground", so to speak. I don't think there's any gloom to any of it and if HC were to go down tomorrow I can say that I had a fun time, learned a lot, and got to know more good people - that includes you - who have the spirit I gravitate towards.

[JasmineTea]

Yeah, we sure don't PUI like we used to around here.

 

Here's my excuse, and I'm sticking to it:

My computer broke down and I've been waiting since last spring for fellow forumite Smatel to fix it. Granted, if I really gave a {censored} I'd bring it to a real tech, but then, I don't have internet access at home. (gosh, the girls who work at this coffee shop are...really cute)

 

I've come to appreciate not having the net around, forces me to get out of the house and do something. OTOH, there is a TV at my place and I often watch old movies and catch up on all the commercials I've missed lo these many years I've been without TV.

 

So, I don't think it's the end. It's just whatever it is. Now. Or something.

 

I hope you stick around d03. This place would'nt be the same without you...I'm not planning on going anywhere.

[JasmineTea]

What Cripes said.

[recordingtrack1]

Dang, D03! If you didn't post here, I'd have to change my sig. Man, it's a tribute to you and your originality.

 

As far as old faces, I believe they'll be back around. At least most of them.

 

Oh yeah, and what Cripes said (too)!

 

RT1

[Hamhand]

Well, basically what Cripes said. I'm certainly no old timer (at least not on here), but I've already tired of the same old questions. I'm not saying that I won't answer them, 'cuz I would, if no one else's turn came first. All you jokers put up with my dumb questions and a few even answered 'em too. But this is one of my favorite spots to check out still. I'm going thru a seperation / probable divorce and this is a place to hang out with a beer for me. I consider you guys friendlies on lifes battlefield and like someone said, it would be great to hook up and listen to someone else for awhile instead of my same old tired stuff. But as far as HC dying out, nah, ain't gonna happen. I'll be hanging out to the last thread probably. Here and at my favorite fishing holes.

[knockwood]

+1 for "What Cripes said." Except the part about having a life.

[slideaway]

it didnt have to do with the first flush of quality broadband did it? i know before bb i would never frequent these type of bloated/hard to d/l forums, i saw many appear with the advent of widespread bb introduced here.

novelty over?

ahh no the apocolypse is at hand! just need thew 4 horsemen now

[Dan Hall]

I think my interests vary enough that I'll be in and out of here for years. In other words, I do more than play the acoustic guitar. I'm building amps again in my Dad's garage, so now that's where my attention goes. I'll be in and around.

 

I love it when we don't get too damn tied up on "it has to be guitars". We've talked about alot of things here. Sometimes pretty funny. When Whalebot and Clip were doing the recorder thing it was two forums. It was the acoustic guitar forum on one hand and a zany laugh riot on the other.

 

Go HCAG

[Queequeg]

d03nut can still ignite a lengthy thread with a thought-provoking post. (witness: this one here; case in point.) And I can still learn a lot here, like the other day about builders using solid back with lam sides. But for me to an extent, the bloom is off the rose. I grow weary of the elixir threads (or any other string, for that matter). And the tone threads which focus exclusively on the instrument and seem to ignore the human element. I read a few of these, and then I check out for a week or so. I scan the front page & look at the thread title, the thread starter and the author of the last post in each thread & decide whether I want to pull over and park for a while. These days I don't recognize most of the names, which is as much a function of how little time I am spending here now vs a year ago as well as the fresh, new faces online now. I'd be lying if I said I don't favor the older forumites, and by that I refer to the ones who have been posting for a while; not their age. Just nice to see a familiar name and over time I have associated a writing style which to no small degree reveals some personality that makes me feel I "know" this person. I don't expect the end is near for this forum by a longshot. But the influx and exit of names will continue and the group feel or personality will mutate as this ongoing process continues to evolve. That's a good thing. and if everyone who hangs out here for a year or more learns as much as I have, well, that's a good thing, too.

[garthman]

I'm a newcomer to HC although not to the guitar which I have been playing on and off for 40 years. Even in the relatively short time I have been contributing I have learned a lot and found it very enjoyable to trade tips and advice with others. I can understand too the creeping boredom that may ensue with similar topics cropping up over and over but, having said that, it is well to remember that what may be obvious to some of us may well be new and refreshing or, on the other hand, problematic and worrying to a novice. The old cliche "you're never too old to learn" springs to mind and that certainly applies to me! So hang on in everyone.

[d03nut]

JT, now I mostly just "UI"

[STEELSTRINGS]

I wouldn't worry DO3, It's summertime, everybody's out and about,no time to sit down at the computer or post or anything like that. It seems when I do settle down in my music room it's to practice. And in my spare time,lol I've been trying my darndest to get my not so old truck which hasn't run in a month fixed.

[carguy]

People will drop in and drop out from time to time, and some will drop out altogether. No drug reference intended. Like some previous posters, I would certainly miss members who I've come to know on this board, d03nut included. And as Queequeg stated, I look at this forum as a learning tool, as well as a chance for social interaction.

[bsman]

I've been around here longer than almost anybody (my thread count is low by an order of magnitude - many were dumped over the various incarnations/disasters of the board) and I find that my interest waxes and wanes periodically, depending mainly on how busy I am at work!

[walfordr]

Saudade is as infectious as syphilis

[babablowfish]

It is impossible to maintain any measure of intensity forever. Still, I do value the forum and all of you guys and gals. I know that I don't post as often or read as many threads as I used to, but it is still comforting to check in and see what's up. I know that I would miss the forum if it disappeared.

[JasmineTea]

Queg said:

"And the tone threads which focus exclusively on the instrument and seem to ignore the human element."

 

That's because the tone element of a guitar is mutualy tangible, share-able knowledge. The human element is unique to each human player, is a seperate thing from the guitar being played, and is not readily shared via a forum. I can type about what I'm doing, I can post a clip, but you're not gonna get a handle on it unless you're sitting in a chair directly infront of me, and evan then the passing of info does'nt always go smoothly.

 

In short, the guitar and the player are two seperate things. One of which we can readily understand what makes it sound the way it does. The other, we can't.

[Queequeg]

 

Queg said: "And the tone threads which focus exclusively on the instrument and seem to ignore the human element." "That's because the tone element of a guitar is mutualy tangible... "The other, we can't."

 

yeah, I know. I'm not arguing about it.

just that many here are fascinated by this. I'm not.

[martingibson70]

This topic is timely for me. I started poking around here in 05 and I've come to appreciate and respect the views of you guys. However, over time I explored some of the other forums because I've gotten more into writting and recording and electric guitar. My experience with the other forums...bullies, cliques, and a**holes. Some of the forums have self-appointed "kings" and it seems everybody else just goes along with that. Anyone else make that observation?

 

Anway...I digress...

 

How do you guys feel about slightly OT topics related to amps, effect pedals, gigs, pickups, recording, techniques, and song writing?

[drnihili]

 

How do you guys feel about slightly OT topics related to amps, effect pedals, gigs, pickups, recording, techniques, and song writing?

 

 

There have been lots of them that went over quite well. As long as it's got an acoustic angle....

[Cripes]

 

Anway...I digress... How do you guys feel about slightly OT topics related to amps, effect pedals, gigs, pickups, recording, techniques, and song writing?

 

 

You seem to be asking because we have a tendancy to be pretty open-minded here and accepting of others. I will take that as a compliment. But, like drnihili notes, it should be acoustic related for the most part. We do scurry OT and discuss such things as having a couple beers and a peanutbutter and green olive sandwich periodically but, hey, that's food. That's never OT.

[smatel]

 

Yeah, we sure don't PUI like we used to around here. Here's my excuse, and I'm sticking to it: My computer broke down and I've been waiting since last spring for fellow forumite Smatel to fix it. Granted, if I really gave a {censored} I'd bring it to a real tech, but then, I don't have internet access at home. (gosh, the girls who work at this coffee shop are...really cute) I've come to appreciate not having the net around, forces me to get out of the house and do something. OTOH, there is a TV at my place and I often watch old movies and catch up on all the commercials I've missed lo these many years I've been without TV. So, I don't think it's the end. It's just whatever it is. Now. Or something. I hope you stick around d03. This place would'nt be the same without you...I'm not planning on going anywhere.

 

 

Pay me what you'd pay a "real tech" and I'll have it for you next week. Otherwise, come get it and fix it yourself. (typed with the greatest love and respect)

[JasmineTea]

(typed with the greatest love and respect)

Enough-so that you'd tell me you're going to fix my computer, no charge, and then sit on it for over a year. Then when I mention it here you want money for fixing it?