Staunch defenders of certain Brands...

[Tone Monster]

There are a few members here who with defend certain brands to the death. Like they are beyond reproach. Now the members and the brand don't really matter so much, I'm just curious how this mentality develops. I'll see people ask very understandable questions and they are met with very defensive comments. I thought the purpose of a forum is to discuss. Anyway, I find this strange.

 

[Tone Monster]

Diezel Rules!

So do the O'Doyles

 

[Bob Savage]

The question seems fairly rhetorical. Are you really asking the question or do the members and the brands really matter?

 

[Ancient Alien]

I have seen this on Facebook also.
It makes no sense to me either, we all like what we like. It always comes down to personal preference.
But I think on certain items it turns into a psychological justification for either a purchase or reason why something is so good etc.
Kind of like Dumble Syndrome. These people need to justify why they just spent $50K on an amp that a $1-$3K amp can duplicate. Yet I do understand buying rare gear for investment purposes. Hell, if I found a 1959 LP Burst for under $100K, I would buy it simply to re-sell it for the profit.
I was recently ganged up on and banned/blocked on a FB group due to my opinion. And yes, it was the almighty BM guitars. I had played 2 of them at NAMM 2 years ago and had the opportunity to play one a few weeks ago at a studio in the city. It was owned by a session player from CA. I was immediately attacked by several people because I was not impressed with the B2 that I played, and the other 2 I played 2 years ago. I was questioned as to what the persons name was that owns it, what studio I was at, what model was it etc. Followed by insults and being called a liar because these few select people seem to know the whereabouts of every BM guitar ever made. It was actually quite sad to see these people acting like children and getting so offended because my opinion differed from theirs, and they insisted I could not have possibly played one due to some magical BM tracking device they seem to have on these overpriced Ibanez knockoffs. While the guitars were well made, they were not $15K worth of guitar. Maybe there is a $14K tracking device installed in these mysterious shredder guitars? Who knows.
Some of you know me and what I own, what I have owned, and how long I've been around(though not that much often due to life).
Some people simply need to justify that they overpaid for an item that will be a flash in the pan in the long run. I feel sorry for these people even if they could afford to spend $15K on an average guitar built by a part time builder.

 

[Tone Monster]

The question seems fairly rhetorical. Are you really asking the question or do the members and the brands really matter?

Straight up question. I don't understand it. Maybe someone can enlighten me.

 

[Bob Savage]

I have seen this on Facebook also.
It makes no sense to me either, we all like what we like. It always comes down to personal preference.
But I think on certain items it turns into a psychological justification for either a purchase or reason why something is so good etc.

The question seems fairly rhetorical. Are you really asking the question or do the members and the brands really matter?

Straight up question. I don't understand it. Maybe someone can enlighten me.

Guys, I would think anybody that's been on the planet for more than a couple decades is intimately familiar with this, because it happens all the time, all over the place. This is not an internet phenomena, it's a symptom of the human condition and whether you notice it or not, happens with most people.

Just look around, you'll see examples of it with cars, with opinions on tools, car polish, supermarkets, makeup, bread, cereals, toilet paper, music gear and any other thing that people have an opinion about. Heck, we see this ALL THE TIME on the forums when it comes to taste in music whether it be specific bands or general styles where "only my opinion is right."

This isn't to say it's OK, it's to say that it's everywhere and spending time worrying about why people hold dogmatic views over subjective topics which ultimately lead them down brand loyalty where whatever the "thing" is, can do no wrong, is a waste of time.

 

[Tone Monster]

I have seen this on Facebook also.
It makes no sense to me either, we all like what we like. It always comes down to personal preference.
But I think on certain items it turns into a psychological justification for either a purchase or reason why something is so good etc.

The question seems fairly rhetorical. Are you really asking the question or do the members and the brands really matter?

Straight up question. I don't understand it. Maybe someone can enlighten me.

Guys, I would think anybody that's been on the planet for more than a couple decades is intimately familiar with this, because it happens all the time, all over the place. This is not an internet phenomena, it's a symptom of the human condition and whether you notice it or not, happens with most people.

Just look around, you'll see examples of it with cars, with opinions on tools, car polish, supermarkets, makeup, bread, cereals, toilet paper, music gear and any other thing that people have an opinion about. Heck, we see this ALL THE TIME on the forums when it comes to taste in music whether it be specific bands or general styles where "only my opinion is right."

This isn't to say it's OK, it's to say that it's everywhere and spending time worrying about why people hold dogmatic views over subjective topics which ultimately lead them down brand loyalty where whatever the "thing" is, can do no wrong, is a waste of time.

Maybe it is a waste of time. I am fairly bored ATM.

 

[Bob Savage]

Maybe it is a waste of time. I am fairly bored ATM.

Too much time on ones hands is a rare luxury.

Read up on what made Hitler tick and then knock it down from a 10 to a 2 and you'll have your answer(s), or at least some perspectives on the matter.

 

[Tone Monster]

Maybe it is a waste of time. I am fairly bored ATM.

Too much time on ones hands is a rare luxury.

Read up on what made Hitler tick and then knock it down from a 10 to a 2 and you'll have your answer(s), or at least some perspectives on the matter.

Too deep Bob, too deep.

 

[takdryver]

There is some tribalism, psychology to this. Brand recognition and coveting has a bunch to do with identification with values and such, being part of a crowd.

Shout out. Nice to be here. Didn't see an intro page. Look forward to talking music.

 

[snowdog]

I know what you are saying. There are at least three people that come to mind that polish the knobs of certain manufactures to the point it is ridiculous. Not that the gear in question isn't good or worthy of praise but a bit overdone.

 

[Tone Monster]

I know what you are saying. There are at least three people that come to mind that polish the knobs of certain manufactures to the point it is ridiculous. Not that the gear in question isn't good or worthy of praise but a bit overdone.

 

[Aristocat]

The other day this happened to me. I didn't shit on Friedman but I approached the brand with a sense of realism and someone felt the unnecessary need to defend it.

I own the product; why the fuck can't it be discussed openly. It's like when you say you don't like (insert popular band/musician) and either you're missing it, don't get it, can't play etc. Some people get so pissy about things that don't even pertain to them.

They forget that they didn't design, manufacture or distribute it.

 

[Anonymous]

The other day this happened to me. I didn't shit on Friedman but I approached the brand with a sense of realism and someone felt the unnecessary need to defend it.

I own the product; why the fuck can't it be discussed openly. It's like when you say you don't like (insert popular band/musician) and either you're missing it, don't get it, can't play etc. Some people get so pissy about things that don't even pertain to them.

They forget that they didn't design, manufacture or distribute it.

Don't worry, I criticize stuff all the time and get shitted on as often

 

[snowdog]

Don't worry, I criticize stuff all the time and get shitted on as often

That is because of random Idiocy, not brand favoritism.

 

[Anonymous]

Don't worry, I criticize stuff all the time and get shitted on as often

That is because of random Idiocy, not brand favoritism.

My idiocy is not random, it's very focused

 

[kloppsta]

You see it all the time. Brand loyalty that is. Think about it, Apple or PC, iOS or Android, Coke or Pepsi and the list goes on and on.

I in know way profess to understand the psychology behind it but it is definitely a product of our “capitalist” society.

For me personally, I am loyal to a brand for a 3 of reasons I can think of –

1. Have I had good experiences with the brand? (i.e. faulty goods, bad customer service)
2. Overall was I happy and content with the purchase itself? (i.e. does it fit my needs)
3. Is there any “nostalgia” involved? A big part of my personal brand loyalty comes from my past memories. Did I have some good times using a particular brand. An example would be I am a Sega Genesis fan through and through instead of Super Nintendo, for one reason, I had a Sega growing up.

So I think a lot of it has to do with how a person “feels” about a brand. It applies to everything really. Music, movies, books etc.

Why people get SOOOO intense and try to justify their loyalty to the death is beyond me personally. I like what I like and I accept others like different things.

I will end this far to serious and mature post with.....

AXE FX destroys KEMPER!!!! MuHahAhahahAhahahahahahaaaaa! lol

 

[Moshaholic]

This place is packed with knob polishers.

I'm the opposite... I'm a staunch basher of 90% of the fan boi crap around here...

These people around here take this stuff way too seriously.

 

[Iron Dog]

Interesting post and many good points, I have also seen it a lot and in many different areas. I also know that I have been that way somewhat in my past, especially when I had low self esteem.

I can see some of it being people associating themselves with a product/brand and some people take it as a personal criticism, (to their taste, intelligence, etc) when the product/brand is criticized (or they see it as being criticized) and as such when they are vehemently defending the product/brand, they are really defending themselves.

I definitely have brands that I am partial to, but I try to judge products based on their individual merits. I have yet to find a producer of goods that has not put out a POS product, some just do it far more regularly than others and those I try to avoid.

 

[JimmyBlind]

I think I could populate a list of manufacturers where every product has been absolutely stellar. Strymon, Keeley, PRS, Suhr, Diezel etc etc etc. Very few manufacturers worth their salt have chucked out 'piece of shit' products.
I think you get what you pay for.

Musical equipment is expensive, on the whole. Most people cannot invest in an arsenal of different boutique amps & guitars for every occasion. For some people, it takes years to save up for something they've lusted after. It's with a degree of logic that those products are bought. Most people will look for the guitar or amp that best serves their needs. By definition, they become the best to them.