TB / EBMM Forum Open Letter

[cybersnyder]

I'll make this short and sweet....

For some reason there is animosity between TB and EBMM forums. It makes no sense to me as the vast majority of people here like or even love Ernie Ball / Music Man products. Of course there are a few members that are exceptions, but they don't speak for everyone.



I pledge to make no personal comments regarding Big Poppa / Sterling Ball or any member of the EBMM forum. Comments on products are legal but I will do so in a positive manner. If I see someone going over the line here, I will call them on it one time and leave it go.

Let's get along.

[cybersnyder]

Signed,

cybersnyder

[Melvin7822]

I'm glad we can put this all behind us. I have no problem with anyone here, but I was merely disappointed by the mentality of which others chose to pursue the topic at hand. Constructive criticism and discussion is always welcome, but personal attacks on others is simply bad form.

[bassgod0dmw]

I didn't read through the other thread in it's entirety, but if people have an opinion on a product they should be able to voice it no matter which direction it sways. I always thought that was one of the major purposes of a forum.

People on the EB forums are there more than likely because they love the products, so of course they aren't going to have many bad things to say.

Says the proud Stingray owner...

[joeyl]

I did find it distasteful that some of the TB members went over there, and complained about TB. If you want to complain, do it here or to the mods, no need to go and cry over there

[MikeBass]

Thank you for being the EBMM/TB hall monitor......

Seriously, if someone has an opinion regarding Mr. Ball, voice it.
If you or anyone else doesn't like that, well, too bad. And if you're taking this stand, I hope in all fairness, you're going to stand up for TB'rs over there.

I personally have no issues with the guy.
As I have read, some of this stems from Mr. Ball himself- that's no secret. Just go and scan through some posts over there.

For the record, I LOVE Music Man basses.
Love them.
Hate that I can't (well maybe- I hope. Sadly I'm broke right now and can't get in on the 125) get a five that I feel comfy on. But that's just me.

I agree that the issues between EBMM/TB exsist. But then again, if your passionate about EBMM, then any opinions that differ are attacked.

You think this is bad......try owning a Harley Davidson V-Rod (which I do) and see the crap that is dished out by die hard air-cooled guys.

[warwick.hoy]

I've kinda been seeing this from the sidelines at least with the 19mm string spacing stuff. Perhaps this is bad form but would somebody be willing to give me a Cliff Notes version of what went down?

[Folmeister]

Despite a very unsettling experience among the EB/MM crowd several years ago, I have to say that the TB/EBMM tension is the most tedious and insipid aspect of our community. I also would like to see it all end.

[cybersnyder]

I'm in read only mode at EBMM. Anything I would say seemed to be misconstrued.

[cybersnyder]

Originally Posted by warwick.hoy

I've kinda been seeing this from the sidelines at least with the 19mm string spacing stuff. Perhaps this is bad form but would somebody be willing to give me a Cliff Notes version of what went down?

IMHO, too many things can be read into text that aren't there and both sides read too much into posts and things just snowballed.

[jlepre]

Awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww....GROUP hug!

[BigOldHarry]

Originally Posted by warwick.hoy

I've kinda been seeing this from the sidelines at least with the 19mm string spacing stuff. Perhaps this is bad form but would somebody be willing to give me a Cliff Notes version of what went down?

• TB thread started about the interest for a 19mm stingray 5
• EBMM forum took this as some sort of insult and slammed TB
• TB thread slammed EBMM forum
• EBMM president, out of the blue, decided he'd make a 19mm SR 5 if he got enough orders
• TB members grumbled that the price was too high
• EBMM lowered the price and committed to giving proceeds to charity
• TB members were happy... sorta.
• EBMM members mellowed out... sorta.
• 19MM SR5 orders have started slowly. EBMM forum was saying "nah nah, told you so" but EBMM president shut the trash talk down.

I think that sums it up. Folks on both sides have been childish about this for reasons that most adults can't understand.

[MikeBass]

BTW Cyber....my hall monitor comment was in good fun and not a dig.....

[Ric5]

There are 2 brands ... Rickenbacker and Ernie Ball ... that seem to generate the love / hate feelings more than all the rest of the brands put together. Both have their cult followers who adopt the company even if it is unreasonable and there are the detractors who hate the company passionately. Both companies strongly pursue their trademarks. Both companies actively shut down copies of their instruments. Both companies have type A CEO's who can be controversial. Both have forums where people get kicked off for stating opinions that are not in line with the company's opinions.

Also for the record ... I would never own a 5 string bass with a 19mm spacing. But if someone else wants to that's fine with me.

[Quickie]

Originally Posted by MikeBass

I agree that the issues between EBMM/TB exsist. But then again, if your passionate about EBMM, then any opinions that differ are attacked.

And there-in lies the problem.

[DTG77]

Originally Posted by cybersnyder

I'm in read only mode at EBMM. Anything I would say seemed to be misconstrued.

That's how I feel about this place

[warwick.hoy]

Originally Posted by BigOldHarry

• TB thread started about the interest for a 19mm stingray 5
• EBMM forum took this as some sort of insult and slammed TB
• TB thread slammed EBMM forum
• EBMM president, out of the blue, decided he'd make a 19mm SR 5 if he got enough orders
• TB members grumbled that the price was too high
• EBMM lowered the price and committed to giving proceeds to charity
• TB members were happy... sorta.
• EBMM members mellowed out... sorta.
• 19MM SR5 orders have started slowly. EBMM forum was saying "nah nah, told you so" but EBMM president shut the trash talk down.

I think that sums it up. Folks on both sides have been childish about this for reasons that most adults can't understand.

Sounds like the Seedy underbelly of the internetz showing up. You'll have this I suppose.

If it's one thing I've learned by being a part of TB and other forums,....it's to have a thick skin and to really think about what you are saying before you hit that "submit reply" button.

I guess the drama seems interesting,....but I'm to lazy to uncover it for myself.

As far as the specs,....I don't know,....I've always been the type of bass player where I don't put a whole lot of emphasis on specs. 19mm String Spacing,...17mm String Spacing,....whatever (I don't really know the specs of my Warwick,....they are just a list of numbers to me). Hand me a bass and even if it's a toy I can make it work. I just don't have any preferences as far as that goes.

Obviously that's not how everyone is,...just perhaps an explanation of why I'm not fully abreast of what seems to be a really hot topic as of late.

[cybersnyder]

Originally Posted by MikeBass

BTW Cyber....my hall monitor comment was in good fun and not a dig.....

I was head hall monitor, I hope you know.

Do any schools really have hall monitors?

[Bryan R. Tyler]

Originally Posted by DTG77

That's how I feel about this place

We've got almost 200,000 members here. At least one or two will agree with you

[whitedk57]

I myself love EBMM basses - I own a Sterling. But I also love how Mr. Ball is a savvy business man and pulls no punches. He seems like he would talk with anyone here as if we were friends.

Check out this story about his company and Microsoft...

Rockin' on without Microsoft - CNET News

If you've already read the story, then cool (don't flame me).