Periodically, someone will post on here about what a cordial, friendly, and welcoming forum this is. Yeah, we get the occasional hissy fit when someone doesn't get an answer quick enough, or doesn't get the reception they want, but those seem pretty rare.
I really only read a few boards - I read three pretty regularly, and I've gotten sporadic on a fourth. Each has had their share of "best forum around" posts. Each has had the occasional troll and argument, but by and large this place seems to have less of that.
What kicked this off was a link I saw to an opinion piece that referenced this Guitar World article. The gist of that piece was that guitarists are most definitely the greatest threat to guitars because of how too many treat those who should be our brothers/sisters in arms.
https://www.guitarworld.com/feature...-online-hate-endangers-the-instrument-we-love
This was the part of the article that really jumped out at me big time.
I have to say, I don't think I've ever seen anyone respond that way to someone here. I'm not saying it's never happened, just that I don't think I've ever seen it myself. In fact, the majority of times it's been just the opposite - we've encouraged people to try more than they may think they're capable of. We have a forum where members can post their own playing - I don't think I've ever seen a derogatory response there. Compare that to the average YouTube post - it's a wonder anyone posts their playing there.
Personally, I think this is largely due to the pioneers on this board, who set the tone early for the vision of what this place should be, and it seems that goal has largely been achieved. Well done, forum brothers and sisters!