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Perspective fella's
- Thread starter USAJO
- Start date
Actually, I completely disagree. I'm confused as to why the poster in post 60 would think his points represented a 'bad thing', or not useful information.
What he is describing is what I find among the most useful info on TB. When a new product comes out that generates some interest, there's lot's of gushing, which I agree is not that helpful (especially since most of the gushers haven't purchased the product!). However, when 'problems' start to emerge, this is VERY good info.
As I always point out, even products with very serious quality control issues will still have many more 'happy' customers versus customers with a problem, so I do agree that those who post 'well, I haven't had any problem with mine' for those products with a higher than normal failure rate do not add useful info.
However, a significant number of problem posts is an indication of real trouble, and in the case of the Ashdown example, if I remember correctly, the US distributor actually posted and apologized for the problems, and from what I understand the quality control issues with that particular problem were brought under control.
Also, lot's of posts about good customer service raise a red flag... since, by definition, if there are a lot of consumers needing customer service, that is a continuing indication of problems. However, posts about good customer service also indicate that the company is standing by their products, so that is also great info. There are recent posts of a major amp and speaker manufacturer who has serious product issues AND poor customer service... that's not a good thing, and I'm glad to know about that info.
Given that Talkbass represents, for the most part, players who are really into gear and who represent 'early adopters' of products, it's a very good sample of the early buyer population, and provides IME and IMO a great window into what is going on with new gear regarding performance, quality, service, etc.
Finally, regarding info about versions of products that are problematic... again, why would this not be good info to have. A lot of gear goes for sale used all the time, and there are certain runs of certain products that clearly have issues. Why would you not want to know that!
I don't mean to pound on the poster, but I found that post quite strange
It's about the hype and 'sheep' factor.
CS is a very personal expectation and experience; some people expect more than others and in very different ways. Some people will be OK with a delay so long as the reasons are communicated, some won't be at all. As a former service manager, and an engineer, I have very different expections from most members of the public (not saying better or worse, just different).
However, I find there is a very definite 'hype' with many products that grows then fades as the sheep factor dissipates. I've seen this effect at several other fora than here and fel that it's more of a generic forum membership and belonging issue that one related specifically to bass players or muso's in general.
CS is a very personal expectation and experience; some people expect more than others and in very different ways. Some people will be OK with a delay so long as the reasons are communicated, some won't be at all. As a former service manager, and an engineer, I have very different expections from most members of the public (not saying better or worse, just different).
However, I find there is a very definite 'hype' with many products that grows then fades as the sheep factor dissipates. I've seen this effect at several other fora than here and fel that it's more of a generic forum membership and belonging issue that one related specifically to bass players or muso's in general.
As i started to read this i thought of the Schroeder mega thread last year as well. It was mainly a hand full of posters as you said and the thread seemed to take a different tone towards the cabs in the middle and then changed again from what i can recall. I must admit i got my 1210 based on that thread. I spent a whole christmas reading it. great fun.
Another thing i have noticed is that almost every Markbass thread ends up talking about the GC chain. Quite boring for us in Europe but i guess thats all part of being part of a world wide discussion.
Saying that all my gear purchases in the last three years have been based on opinions on TB and im very greatfull for them.
Yep, that's the first step. However, the way I read a lot of posts about the gear dujor is that people are making up their minds based soley on the information in a thread and not deciding for themselves if it's the right gear for them.
Im my case i had to read all i could on Schroeder as there was no way i could try a 1210 out in the UK at the time. I must admit what i managed to piece together from the mega thread was quite accurate and i got almost what i thought i was getting.
Same thing with me and my bergantino stack. If it weren't for TB i would have just missed out on it.
I am not a gear junkie, but I appreciate that people take the time to review equipment and provide solid opinions about the latest stuff. Its pretty easy to separate the wheat from the chaff as far as most reviews. And, flame wars aside, I also appreciate hearing critical opinions as well. It makes you an informed consumer.
Full disclosure - I have a Dr. Bass 2260 (2x12) and a Hughes & Kettner BassBase 600. The H&K was a whim purchase (thank you Tom Bowlus), but I would have never found out about Dr. Bass without the opinions and reviews of other TBers.
Full disclosure - I have a Dr. Bass 2260 (2x12) and a Hughes & Kettner BassBase 600. The H&K was a whim purchase (thank you Tom Bowlus), but I would have never found out about Dr. Bass without the opinions and reviews of other TBers.
