Fuel for the current Epiphone construction flame.

[WickedWishes]

I am sure there are those that regcognise my web name, and for those that know me, again, I can forgive, BUT never forget.

Here is my copy of my e-mail to Jim.

>>Dear Jim:

#1, I sincerely appreciate your response to the current "flap" over Epiphone quality and construction.

#2, I would strongly suggest you check with your "Admin/Moderators" on the Epiphone forum site. As they evidently do not have the same beliefs about censorship as you.

(Your quote)

>>As a result of this misinformation, we are forced to re-examine the benefits of allowing and leaving such potentially harmful and false information on our forum. Furthermore, when you consider the time spent on this issue, we even question whether allowing ANYONE, regardless of motivation, to communicate directly with our customers is wise. After all, hundreds of loyal and dedicated Epiphone employees and their families rely on the strength of our company. This is something not to be taken lightly.

On the other hand, censorship goes against our core beliefs, After all, freedom of speech and expression is something we, as musicians, hold very dear. So after careful consideration, we will NOT be removing this post at this time.<<

So,...ergo my main question.
Why have some posts of general information been censored and deleted, from the Epiphone forum,..

I made a post to the Epiphone forum (RE) "Gibson VS PRS", which was deleted, I made a reply to my deleted post which was also censored and deleted, (of which I kept a copy)

(My deleted post)

>>I came home this afternoon, checking in on this site, as I very much enjoy reading the many posts and threads, and increasing my knowledge of Epiphone guitars.
Immediately I noticed a previous post I made, had been censored and deleted.

I was going to make a reply to my original post in favour and support of Gibson/Epiphone.
But I see now it is a moot point.

I only made a post with a link to "Harmony Central", thinking I was adding to the many wonderful posts here, sharing information and as stated above, I WAS going to post/reply again with my favour and support of Gibson/Epiphone in doing what they felt necessary to protect their registered trademarks and copyrights. (as Gibson/Epiphone have every legal right to do so)

I love my Epi-LP, and plan to purchase another Epi-LP Plus in Vintage Sunburst very soon, and one day, I also plan to proudly own a few Gibson LPs.

I have great respect for the Gibson/Epiphone company, as I thoroughly love their products, however, I have lost respect for the moderators of this site/forum.

I cannot abide by any form of censorship, as censorship is the beginning to the end of freedom.

So,....

To whomever reads this current post, enjoy it while you can, for I do anticipate it to be deleted very soon.

Respectfully submitted,...

WickedWishes<<

Jim, this is an issue that still weighs heavy on my heart and mind.

I forgive, but I never forget.

The above was my last post to the Epiphone forum, as I am a man of principle, values, and beliefs. My protection of free speech is un-ending, as I have fought for this wonderful country of mine, the USA, to promote freedoms of all types to others and other nations.

So, Jim,...which is it,..??

Do you truly believe in freedom of speech,..??

OR,...

Is it that others within the Epiphone/Gibson company do not share your beliefs on censorship and freedom of speech,...??

With respect to you and the company you manage, I anticipate a reply with your answers.

Sincerely

WickedWishes

PS. if there is any problem with replying to this e-mail under my nic-name, I will be happy to respond and reply with the name my parents gave me, and which is recorded as my legal name.<<

Sooooooooo,....

Lets see what happens now, Jim/Epiphone will either reply or ignore my e-mail.

And with or without their reply, depending on which it is, will have a profound effect or my future dealings with Epiphone.

To those that think I am riding a dead horse on this issue of censorship/deleted posts, I do apologise, and to those that consider this a waste of forum space, I also apologise, BUT, to me freedom of speech is ALL-IMPORTATNT, because, without it, it is the beginning to the end to all freedoms.

Respectfully submitted,...

WickedWishes

PS,...I will post a brief up-date, with Jim's/Epiphone reply, that is if I ever get one.....*S*

[CAFeathers]

The so called "sensorship" over at the official Epi forum is one of the reasons I am here and not there. When the Moderator (I use this term lightly in this case) started deleting posts at random for no better reason than he could, I asked him to remove all my posts. He responded by saying he could not remove my posts. He could remove ones he saw unfit, but could not remove ones that he was asked to remove? What is wrong with that picture?
Anyways, I did his job and spent several hours removing or deleting every post I ever made over there.
I read over there to see what is going on, but I will never post there again.

[Smooth]

My thoughts on this has always been this, allowing brand specific only on Epiphones forum is not censorship. Now it may not be the best way of making new customers but its the way they choose to do it. The same goes for the oficial Gibson forums. Now there are serveral independent forums (LPF, this one, Guitardogs..etc.) to allow for ALL brands to be discussed. Now you have every right to take up this issue with Mr.Rosenberg, and i hope to get the answers you are looking for. Being that Gibson/Epiphone signs my paycheck may influence me somewhat but i do know this, the crap hitting the official board ATM does effect those of us who take a lot of pride in what we do there. Just one man's opinion.

[WickedWishes]

In addendum and in clarification:

I have GREAT respect for all the hard working employees of Epiphone.
From upper management to the floor cleaners.

Again, my issue is with company wide protocol and standards on censorship/deleting of posts.

My posts to the Epiphone forum were gender/brand specific. (RE) Gibson vs PRS, and so were my last replies and posts to the Epiphone forum. I did not accuse, nor did I speak negatively of either Gibson/Epiphone, I did not "flame" either entity, au-contaire, I posted to support Gibson/Epiphone in their legal endevours.

Again, I have great respect for all the employees of Gibson/Epiphone, and I hope this clarifies my previous post here.

"'nuff said"

WickedWishes

[gearhead41]

I also, have the utmost respect for any person who has the skill to craft anything...without that skill, we'd have nothing to play.

My beef is with the Moderators on the Epiphone forum. To continue flogging the dead horse, they let people run wild for two years, did nothing. It was Troll, Troll, Troll yer boat...now you can't express any opinion counter to corporate speak.

Now, to a great extent, I owe Heliman, Bob "Skippy", Chet, Monte, and Steve (Guildx700) a huge debt of graditude. I fell in love with playing and learning about guitars in part due to the sharing and kindness that I received from those guys listed above on the Epiphone forum. I hate that many newbies will not have that same experience due to a misapplied strategy.

Perhaps Epiphone should think about investing in some real software for their boards, ban people based on IP address ranges, post the rules of the game -OR- do what Fender did...

Sponsor a forum where off-brand posts are accepted in the designated areas...

Nuf said.

As I predicted when this forum was started, they killed the forum when the censorship started. Pull the plug and be done Jim or have the brassies to pick a reasonable strategy.

[zep]

I think it's fair to have a forum dedicated solely to Epiphone products, but it would have nice for them to say that upfront. Most of the people objected to their "censorship" on the grounds that they were having perfectly good forum discussions and the mods intruded on them. On the other hand, some of the stuff on the forum lately is absolutely rediculous and should be dealt with.

[gearhead41]

I don't disagree with you. However, you have to have someone running the board that has some common sense.

Backstage areas or off-topic posts are accepted in many "corporate sites" and special interest sites all over the Internet.

I do, however, agree that brand bashing should be out of bounds. If you are having real problems with Cusomer Service, call the 800 number. If you don't like the brand, stay out of the site.

[grayta]

I agree-the Epi site is censored very haphazardly. I posted there infrequently over the past year, and my last post (a spoof about a Fender Kieth Partridge Stratocaster) was deleted immediately-which seems odd because it was a JOKE. On the other hand, trolls were oddly tolerated. So, now I rarely visted there and lurk here a couple of times a week.

That being said, I did gain a lot of valuable knowledge on the Epi site (about serial #s, construction, etc.). It's just too bad they've gone so draconian on non-epi posts. Seems to me to be bad PR; they should come up with a more sensible censorship policy or shut it down totally.