by stephen » 08 Dec 2014, 16:41
Ian, I'm sorry that you interpreted my comment as being a touch 'snide'. It wasn't so intended. I just ended the question with that censorship proviso, based on my recent experiences on here whenever anything I said was judged to be non-PC (Protective of Charlie).
By comparison, and for arguments sake, say Fender were bringing out a new & pricey Hank Marvin model. I could state that I didn't think it was worth the money/wouldn't give one house room/aren't counting off the days until it hits the shops/will not let not having one spoil my Christmas etc, etc . and can guarantee that it would hardly cause a ripple amongst the membership, because after all in a democracy, we are all entitled to our point of view, aren't we? However, when it comes to the long-awaited Hall & Collins echo, it now appears that the moderators of this site will brook nothing in a similar vein without it being removed and somewhat strangely classed as 'off topic'. I'm afraid that to me, 'off topic' in this regard seems to relate to anything judged as remotely neutral or horror-of-horrors, slightly negative. Hence the censorship proviso that you referred to.
That 'other' Shadows site just oozes a sycophancy that personally makes my skin crawl and every time I take a quick look around it (to see if anything's changed.....for the better), the threads & comments still mainly consist of members thanking each other ad nauseam for the slightest of things and every few posts declaring their undying allegiance to their benefactor, the Lord of the Echoes. It's always reminded me of that 60's American series, "The Waltons", in that at the end of each episode, all the many family members would say 'goodnight' to each other.......indefinitely! I much preferred this site as it was more 'edgy' & balanced opinion-wise. Sadly, I've come to question some of this of late......
I'm not so obtuse as to not acknowledge that just being a member of a Shadows forum is tantamount to accepting that you tread (however lightly) in serious anorak territory and I'm honestly not being either snide or insulting by saying that. It's a fact and I include myself in that. Personally, an interest in guitars primarily and The Shadows to a minor extent, just form one of my lesser, but no less enjoyable interests. However, for the sake of my own sanity I find some things very difficult to get my head around.............
A coterie of superannuated men (& a few women!) communally wishing their lives away lemming-like until the arrival of an echo pedal (for God's sake!) strikes me as absolutely ludicrous & bizarre. Folks, it's JUST an echo pedal, so let's please get real and view things in a more sane & relative perspective. It isn't like it's arrival (or more accurately not) is of similar import as a cure for ebola and nor was this pedal created by The Hand of God. If I so much as HINT at any aspects of this opinion of mine and tender the mildest of often, tongue-in-cheek rebukes, there's such a manic & outraged reaction from some quarters that it reminds me of the blind, unthinking support given by loyal North Koreans in response to any perceived slight against their leader Kim Jong. If there was an avatar of someone being stoned to death by a crazed mob, I'd adopt it as my own! Sorry, Ian. It's just the way things strike me and I'm not being either snide or sneering at anyone/anything in stating the above.
I do hope that this message is allowed to stand and also that it's gone at least some way to explain my standpoint. I have taken what you've said 'on board' and can assure you that I have thought carefully before now pressing Submit'.
Stephen.
Last edited by stephen on 08 Dec 2014, 17:30, edited 1 time in total.