Instrument Reviews

[ned]

Danny and I had a wonderful day out as the guests of John , known to us all as johnhop. We toured the Hop gardens of Kent and saw the harvest and processing of the plant of the Gods.
During our journey John remarked that it would good for us all to share our loves and hates of the instument we own and play..
So if you lot agree, how about posting a review of whatever you play?
This interface may be helpfull to anyone considering the purchase of a new instrument, or the way to avoid wasting money on something they fancy, that turns out to be rubbish dressed in tinsel
You guys are the ones that know, and I hope you are willing to share either through audio, video or script,
Thanks - - Pete

[karaokeb]

Hi Pete,

Sounds a good idea to me also could possibly get the forum more exposure on search engines when people look for reviews of various instruments and then possibly more membership. So how about you starting it off with a particular format with perhaps 3 or 4 headings so that the reviews are easy to read and compliment each other.

Brian

[ned]

Hi Brian
I would not have a clue how to do that. If however you or any other members could manage it - Go for it.
Or maybe our techno dude could heilp?
Great idea mate, hope we can follow through. It could get good.
Pete

[karaokeb]

Hi Pete,

OK I will give it a go but please give me a couple of days - I would suggest that a new heading is created under Technical & Luthery call "Instrument Reviews" and when a member wants to put a review in the field is opened with, if what I produce it is acceptable, a blank form and they simply put comments in the appropriate places. That is if it is technically possible to do it.

What do you think?


Brian

[karaokeb]

Hi Pete,

Got to thinking last night why reinvent the wheel so I have modified a review form from another site which I detail below, if it is acceptable and our tech guy can put it in place as I have suggested I have a number of reviews that I could submit to get it started so to speak so here goes let me know what you think.

Brian

Instrument/Item XYZ

Where Purchased Joe Blogs Music

Year Purchased 2010

Sound hbfjdgkjhpkophj[typjlpl

Sound Rating ?(1 to 10) 6

Setup jhgjkfhgiuhfgiuhfuightiugh

Setup Rating (1 to 10) 7

Appearance hbghgjhfjkdfjlkjghkjghkgj

Appearance Rating (1 to 10) 8

Reliability jkjgklfjghkldfjhkjghijgfihjgijh

Reliability Rating (1 to 10) 6

Pre-sale Customer Service uirugojufhijgtphjptyihj

Pre-sale Customer Service
Rating (1 to 10) 9

Post-sale Customer Service kdjfgoifjhijghijougsduugfoperikh

Post-sale Customer Service
Rating (1 to 10) 6

Components jgufhguifhguihiughg

Components Rating (1 to 10) 5

Any Other Information kijgiojhoitjohijtphjtrjhij

[ned]

Sounds good to me Brian!
What do you think Chris? can this be done?
I hope so, as it could be very useful to hear a hands on review to compare with a magazine review.
Thanks guys
Pete

[duggyk]

Hi Guys,
I think it's a great idea, I'll have an investigation to see what can be set up (I like the form idea but I'm not sure if this can be done on proboards... I'll have a look into it).
Sorry not respond earlier, I've been on my hold in the Gower. Lots of rain, but some sun too

[karaokeb]

Hi Chris,

No problems hope you enjoyed your holiday, was it the Gower nr Swansea? and if so do you visit the Bluegrass festival at the heritage centre?

Brian

[duggyk]

Hi Brian,

I very nearly attended the festival! I was on a family holiday nr Rhossili bay and unfortunately didn't get the opportunity to break ranks for the Friday session

Maybe next year!

Chris

[duggyk]

Hi Folks,

well, your wish is my command.... well, kind of!

I've added a new Category called 'Reviews', and added a single board underneath is called 'Instrument Reviews' (my thought being we might want separate forms / sections for say, book reviews?).

When a new thread is added to this board a special form appears with the following information to fill out....

*Manufacturer & Model (this becomes the thread title)
*Where Purchased
*Year Purchased
*Sound
*Sound Rating
*Setup
*Setup Rating
*Appearance
*Appearance Rating
*Reliability
*Reliability Rating
*Components
*Components Rating
*Any Other Information

I missed out the the pre and post service sections, as I thought this maybe more of a reflection on the supplier and not the instrument itself? I'm open to adding these back in if you think these fields ought to be present.

Nothing is set in stone, and i'm expecting to have to modify this form!

Please can you have a test run and let me know any feedback on improving this section (are the text boxes big enough etc.)? you can delete posts - so maybe don't go writing a 'real' review until we're happy with the format?

best regards,

C.

[karaokeb]

Hi Chris,

Pitty you did not go to the festival it is the second one that I have attended - last year went to North Wales one and whilst it was bigger it was not half as enjoyable as the Gower bash. Being held at the Heritage Centre there is something for everybody to see not just the music as the site is a bit of an attraction in its own right. With attractions as diverse as a old farm machinery, animals and a demonstration by a blacksmith so something for all the family. Definitely going next year - second weekend in September so make a note in your diary - will put the exact date when I have it confirmed.

Regarding the reviews it looks fine to me I have completed one an actual rather than a spoof as I find it difficult to be sincere when making things up. With regard to the comments on where purchased etc. For someone like me who lives in the sticks I have to revert to mail order often and some of my buying experiences has been good with excellent service both relating to pre and after sale whilst others have been very good pre sale but very difficult after sale - so to me very important.

Again thanks for your prompt action following your holiday

Brian

[duggyk]

Hi Brian,

Good to hear the Gower bash was a good one. I really would have liked to have made it, but I've got a really young family and it wasn't practical to make it over this time round...maybe next time...

Ok - back to the review section - great first review! I take your point about pre/post sales supplier service. I've added those fields in - but made them non-mandatory for a post.

Right... I'm going to add my first review now

Any suggestions for forum improvements welcome.

C.

[ned]

Great work guys!
This has livened things up a lot, and should prove very useful and fascinating.
Thanks
Pete

[Danny]

Hi Guys

Sorry for my prolonged absence, but real life type crap has been distracting me. Problems with the extended family I won't bore you all with, but, primarily my hearing has been so bad, I've been told I need hearing aids. At least 1, possably 2.

This would be a fairly horrible thing for any 29 year old to be told, but as a musician it's REALLY rough. I'm sure as you are all musical enthusiasts you can imagine how horrible THAT was to hear.

None the less, I'm trying to be positive about it, thinking I'll be able to hear my guitar/banjo/stereo/ANYTHING better than I have in years and that can only be a good thing, right?

So that sort of explains my prolonged silence/sulk.

I am however VERY happy to see this small but mighty little web community growing and doing things without me being here to over see it. Special mention must go out to my dad here, Ned, aka Pete, who has been a bloody rock, both with my personal stuff, and with this here little online community. He's been the guy who's really kept this site from becoming an internet ghost town, so cheers Dad!

Now, if you'll all excuse and forgive me, I have an instrument review to write....

Danny

P.S. Do you all think we should move the review section a bit higher, just to catch people's eye?

[duggyk]

Hey Danny!

"Do you all think we should move the review section a bit higher, just to catch people's eye?"

Hey presto!



C.