Why TB threads sometimes go nowhere

[Sam Evans]

The pedant chimes in to say that the OP can’t be “jealous”. By definition jealousy implies a hostility or resentment of a rival. The OP probably meant “envious”, simply wanting something someone else has. This results in a 3-page digression on what the OP actually meant and how he feels.

I resemble that remark ...

 

[Quitter]

I think it also sometimes matters WHO starts the thread. Some members have "clout" or at least a proven history that more people gravitate towards participating in the conversation.

 

[Jay2U]

Love this thread already. It's going where it should go; off track.

 

[gln1955]

There was also the member who posted pictures of their entire bass collection just because that's what they always do no matter what the topic.

 

[gln1955]

Is that the Widget Weight, the Widget weight, or the Widget wait? Or all 3?

"The Widget Weight, their new model, which is actually heavier, takes months to get from the time you order..."

If you just worked out, weight wouldn't matter.

 

[MuseChaser]

Oooooooohhhhh! Glass houses! Where's my stone collection? Anyone wanna play catch?

 

[Tim Skaggs]

This is not a description of a TB thread going nowhere. Threads that degenerate into name calling, run 5 pages, and get closed by a moderator are the treat of the day or week in which they occur….

This prompts a 5-page digression on boutique basses vs. everything else. The thread degenerates into name calling and the mod closes it.

 

[Bar Band Bassman]

I just wanna know if it comes in 3TSB with tort knobs.

BBB

 

[nickpc]

If you just worked out, weight wouldn't matter.

The weighing is the hardest part!

 

[Thegreatzambini]

A newbie to TB searched for information on The Widget pedal, made typo, and didn’t find anything. So he posts to the Basses forum explaining that he can’t find any info on The Widget pedal. His guitar player friend uses a Widget, he is jealous of the sound and wants to know if any bass players use the Widget.

The aging boomer replies to say he’s been playing for 45 years and never had a pedal, never saw the use of them but supposes it’s OK if someone does.

The rusher only read the subject line and comments that the OP should have searched first.

The pedal pedestrian responds at length to say that the Widget is just an expensive copy of The Big Company pedal. The OP can do better by just going with the big brand or its little buddy line.

The helpful noob has used many pedals but not The Widget. Nevertheless, he has recommendations for 5 other pedals the OP might like.

The pedant chimes in to say that the OP can’t be “jealous”. By definition jealousy implies a hostility or resentment of a rival. The OP probably meant “envious”, simply wanting something someone else has. This results in a 3-page digression on what the OP actually meant and how he feels.

The bedroom player has one. He has only used it once on his Kala bass, 28 in. scale, fretless with rubber strings. He’s not sure if he had it set right.

The experienced player posts a detailed review of how he uses his Widget pedal with his Fodera. This prompts a 5-page digression on boutique basses vs. everything else. The thread degenerates into name calling and the mod closes it.

By this time the noob is long gone. He found a Widget used and posted a review in a forum on Instagram.

Don’t forget the guy who makes a dumb dad joke by posting a pic of a bass fish when someone mentions the word bass

 

[Thegreatzambini]

Too many of us are egotistical cork sniffers maybe?

No that was 15 years ago. It’s gone the other way people call seafoam green P basses beautiful on here now.

 

[metron]

There's also the Connoisseur, who says that you need to find one of the Russian-made Widgets produced between May and July 1978. Only 7 were manufactured. All of the other Widgets are vastly inferior.

May-June ‘78 was certainly a golden era for the brand. Because I have one and they are harder to find than the Julys.

 

[metron]

No that was 15 years ago. It’s gone the other way people call seafoam green P basses beautiful on here now.

Pastels are all the rage. Except for the 2023 EBMM lineup of course.

 

[KevInDaBassment]

You forgot about the guy that post insane memes that have absolutely nothing to do with the thread...

 

[Dincrest]

The way I see it, TalkBass is like any other online community. You have the helping hands and you have the old guard who kinda razz (maybe even haze) the n00bs a bit. Just like when you're the new kid going to a new high school. Or since any enthusiast community is like an online clubhouse (maybe a fraternity of sorts), veteran members "initiate" the n00bs a bit. Like being the new kid in a new high school, if you're willing to sort through the riff-raff, you eventually find the people who become your friend group.

That doesn't make it okay. That's just an observation that that's how communities (be they online or real life) tend to be. And while we have our fair share of grumpy "get offa mah lawn!" folks here, we have plenty who do offer help or at least a, "Hey, so-and-so here is an avid user of this. I'll tag them and see what they have to say."

I generally think TalkBass is a good, solid, respectful community. I've met some great people through it (both online and in person). I do my best to be a helping hand, but even I've behaved badly at times. That being said, I have my pet peeves with it too. Several of which the OP mentioned and I posted in this TalkBass Pet Peeves thread: https://www.talkbass.com/threads/tb-pet-peeves.1632121/page-5#post-28012232

 

[ThinCrappyTone2]

There was also the member who posted pictures of their entire bass collection just because that's what they always do no matter what the topic.

I like the brown one best tbh. What were we talking about?

 

[5stringDNA]

The way I see it, TalkBass is...an online clubhouse.

That was a way to long and serious response for someone that has been here 20 years! Fixed it for ya'!
Truly though, to quote Solomon, there is nothing new under the sun.

 

[Lance Bunyon]

You're wrong
No YOU'RE wrong
No U
U
No U
Thread gets shut down
This is why we can't have nice things

 

[/\/\3phist0]

Where are you trying to go with this?
Ageist comments
Elitists
Poppycock.

get off my lawn, I only play a pbass with 20 year old flats, sunburst with tortoise PG.
I never tune it, only run it through a 60’s tube amp. Have not played in front of people in 20 years.

if you need a pedal to get your sound, you just need to practice more.

Jaco didn’t need effects.
Jameson didn’t use pedals.

 

[5StringBlues]

No pickled pigs FEET, no Jamerson tone.

Where are you trying to go with this?
Ageist comments
Elitists
Poppycock.

get off my lawn, I only play a pbass with 20 year old flats, sunburst with tortoise PG.
I never tune it, only run it through a 60’s tube amp. Have not played in front of people in 20 years.

if you need a pedal to get your sound, you just need to practice more.

Jaco didn’t need effects.
Jameson didn’t use pedals.