Your input highly encouraged

[dubtrub]

My dilemma is, we are coming up on renewal time for this website as I purchased the domain for a two year period. The cost factor isn't that much, but my concern is, has the Mosrite forum ran it's course?

I monitor the forum all hours day and night and have been witnessing the decline of overall participation the past few months. This place use to be a hot bed of activity and exchange of information. I see that we have a lot of visitors to the forum but rarely participate. As per forum requirements, all new members announce themselves in the Introduction section but most only post one or two times then visit the forum occasionally. Also I see that content and substance has declined in the postings and only certain few topics dominate the total activity on the forum.

I have been reviewing the Demographic survey as a guideline to determine the direction forum was heading and it seems my suspicions hold true. It would appear that original focus of the forum has either turned a different direction, everyone has said all they had to say about Mosrite or else interest is fading. I see more activity on my Facebook page than this forum.

Maybe I'm just out of touch and see things in a different perspective, so I thought I would pose the situation to forum members for their input. I know we only have a handful of the 375 or so members that actually participate here, so for all you “looky loos” out there, I would highly encourage you to log in and chime in with your input and be heard.

[gplayer]

I think it's a great site. We've all learned a lot about the history and evolution of the Mosrite from inside the people who actually were there. That in itself has made this place ions above other guitar sites. The problem may be, that the stories have been told and we've hit a lull. But, there are still some great people here and they still have things to share. JMO

[KRamone27]

For what it's worth my interest is still strong. Like myself and many others have stated in several post this is the premier web site for anything Mosrite and have members on here that had a direct affiliation with Semie and family. I think that there is still a lot to learn and a lot to gain from members on this forum. Like you said before maybe information might be taped out and people said what they want to say. But for the most part there is a chance that the forum will come out of the slow trend it's having. I know that when the weather gets nicer in my neck of the woods I plan on starting builds and as always I like to share my experiences with the group. And then a whole mess of people will catch on and contribute what they are doing. I for one would hate to lose this place because I've learned a lot. Kevin

[JimPage]

Hey, Danny--

You initiated something, and many others shared your vision and enlarged upon it.

To see it go away would be a crime.

I cannot contribute much in the way of knowledge or expertise. I dang sure ain't a builder or a Mosrite historian.

But I can throw some sincere appreciation towards those who can contribute that stuff when they post it. And I can also contribute a few bucks, because I have learned so much and enjoyed so much on this forum.

It would be money well spent. I know that isn't what you were asking for but it is something I can do to maybe keep this thing alive.

--Jim

[gman]

Whoa there - I just joined. Don't be whipping the rug out from under my feet already!

[sleeperNY]

I would hate to see the forum go away. I know I don't post a lot here but I am here at least 2 times just about every day. My first stop every day is here and then the Chet board. I know I have learned things about Mosrite that I could not have even imagined. I am not a historian on any make of guitars but have tried to learn as much as I can about the models I play and the people that played them. I do hope that it stays, but if it were to go away I want to say THANK YOU DANNY for the time it was here. By far the BEST forum on the net.

Jim

[eltuce]

Maybe I'm not the best person to chime in here as my posts aren't usually filled with a whole lot of Mosrite knowledge but I'd hate to see it go. I feel like I'm still just starting to learn more about these guitars. A few of you in particular have been very helpful, and I really appreciate it.

-Tommy

[dubtrub]

Thanks to all the supporters who have weighed in.

Just to clarify, I am not seeking nor will I accept any funds for the operation of this site. Current and past offers are/were very much appreciated but not accepted. The only question that remains for me is, is it worth while to keep operational with all the other forums available?

The current trend is, this site is fast becoming more of a Hallmark forum than a Mosrite forum, which is not the intent of this website. When someone mentions buying a Mosrite, it automatically gets reference to a Hallmark because it's cheaper. I'm sure Hallmark is is basking in all the free advertisement this forum has provided as several forum members have purchased Hallmark guitars as a result of this site. However, this does nothing to promote Mosrite guitars other than you can get one that is close for less money. I'm not sure that Semie would be pleased and I know that Dana and Artie aren't. As stated in the introduction to this website, the purpose of this forum is to keep Semie's legacy alive and promote any and everything Mosrite.

[GattonFan]

I visit several times daily, always have enjoyed the site, have also learned much, and through forum members input and help, have purchased a Model 400 amp, and a '67 MK I, a Canadian Partsrite, and a Super Custom 65. Having said that, if it is restricted to only Mosrites conversation, it will be a very limited conversation, because there are so few owners. Will it be only vintage Mosrites? Because many don't consider any Mosrite made after Semie's death a Mosrite. And if modern Mosrites are to be included, then which ones - The Fillmores assembled in Bakersfield, Black Cloud, Loretta's new Semie models, Canadian Partsrites?

IMHO, I don't consider this a Hallmark site, but a bunch of guys bragging on what they consider a very good bargain, and sharing that with others - Bob only in recent history has begun to chime in, What plagues modern Mosrites is still lack of an efficient marketing and delivery system - They're hard to obtain, and pricey. I may be totally off base in my assessment, and apologize if I'm wrong, but it seems a little jealousy has been injected, which has no place in an open market. Fact is, it's good old capitalism at work - and it's healthy.

I would hate to see it go, but ultimately, it is your decision, and I support you.
Dennis

[Veenture]

In all of my 65 years on this Great Planet, the Mosrite Forum is the first and only forum that I have ever joined and that must say something about Danny’s site. After my introduction here (after Bob Shade suggested I visit the Forum after I had purchased one of his 60 Customs at the close of 2008, failing to get hold of a ‘real’ Mosrite) I envisaged having just a little say on my purchase and love for “that Ventures guitar” but here I find myself still yakety-yacking away, almost every day (talk about surfing on a ‘board’!). Now, that also says something about me; i.e. how much I enjoy exchanging thoughts and ideas, knowledge etc. …and humour too with ya all -what a great gang!

It certainly has crossed my mind about Danny monitoring the forum all hours of the day and night and doing all that he does to keep it the great site that it is. My appreciation, respect and admiration go out to you sir, thanks Danny!

I’m with Jim about money contributions, but I don’t think the rub is there, but we must take a realistic view on things nonetheless; should the Forum reach -what could perhaps be called- ‘saturation point’ -and Danny perhaps wanting or even needing a ‘time out’!-, I for one would find it a sad time when all the gathered treasures here will disappear into a black hole.

My question: would/could it remain -inactive- as a reference platform for Mosrite, somehow?

Those are just a few of my thoughts at this time…and I shall respect Danny's decision too.

Paul