I have found on the net that when a forum is built around a specific interest that is somewhat outside of the mainstream, it tends to become somewhat of a "community". As many of you know by now, I'm a big Zephead...but I am not even a member of the official Led Zeppelin forum. It's too big, too many ill informed, too blind in it's own adoration, too much blah! I am however the #1 poster on a site for the last 20 yrs that is only partially public and caters to folks who are very serious about specifically live Zep...and scouring the earth for any new info, pics, audio, or video...and sharing it freely. Members of this site have liberated SO many recordings and video, it's not even funny. And many regulars go back to the days of early tape trading...often from/with the person who actually recorded the concert! Anyway...this site is 1/1000th the size of the official Zep forum, and it is absolutely a "community". I know LOTS of folks on a first name basis and have hung out w/ numerous members from all over the world. (I once had 4 members at my house for a night of cranking rare Zep, drinking beer, and throwing darts. One waslocal to me, another from NYC, another from Ireland, and another from Brazil!!) Folks share their goods (and their knowledge) freely. They go the extra mile to help out newbies, especially from younger generations. It just shows that a true passion shouldn't ever be guarded. It should be shared, and passed on w/ pleasure.
I joined here because of one guitar...one that basically fell in my lap some 35 yrs ago. When I got it it had a Gibson smile (snapped neck at the headstock) and the original cherry finish looked like it had been through a cat 5 tornado. I spend a few hours a day for the better part of a month rebuilding/refinishing this 66 T-100d, a guitar that I'd never seen or heard of before then, and would wind up being my alltime favorite guitar I would ever own! (Out of many!!) I'm not beholden to Guild, or their line of guitars. Most I honestly have little interest in. I'm just drop dead in love w/ MY Guild. When I stumbled onto this forum in late 2021, I just had to see if the same held true for others. It didn't take long at all for me to recognize the "community" that also exists here. Yes the mods captain a good ship, but ships are maintained by the sailors. Anyone can create a website/forum. Ultimately, it's shape, direction, decorum, and general usefulness is entirely dependent on
it's members. THAT is the key to a real online community.
My quick take on LTG since joining. I came because of my guitar, I stayed because of the people!!
Simple as that!
Never been a member of any other guitar forum. I've lurked at serveral on occasion when looking for info. (Gear Page, Telemodders, Les Paul Forum, etc. I can find good info on all, but I have no desire to join and be a regular contributor. My days of sitting at the kiddie table ended a LONG time ago.