Hi Everyone,
I was going to post this as an announcement, but there might be some questions so I'll post it here for a bit, then maybe move it.

I have mentioned often that it is preferred that private dealings, especially eBay dealings, be kept off this forum. But, on the other hand, if someone wants to post about a deal they are in, either good or bad, that is ok, as it is good information to help other make decisions. What I would like to address is REPLYing to those posts and here's a good guideline.

Ask yourself a simple question. "Am I planning on buying this guitar or a similar one from this dealer?" If the answer is NO, then DO NOT reply to the post made. This applies to both good deals and warnings about questionable ones. If you bought a guitar from a dealer, or eBay, and love it, and want to tell the world about it and/or about the dealer.... FINE. But if you didn't buy a similar guitar OR from the mentioned dealer, and you never plan to, your opinion is just mud in the water, and you should NOT reply.

I'm not going to heavily moderate this, I'm just putting this out there. I tend to sit back and watch, and step in when needed. Unfortunately, it seems I RARELY have to step in because of the FIRST post in a thread. I'm usually stepping in, because of something posted as a REPLY, that has NOTHING to do with the original post and usually posted by someone who is not even directly involved.

This seems like the perfect time for a segway. I have been getting several "alerts" lately when threads go "off-topic." If you don't know what I mean by this, don't worry it's not you. Those that do it, know who they are. The first post, usually from a new member is about stings or age, or whatever of their prized Ovation. The question, whatever it is, is usually answered within a reply or two and that is GREAT!!! But then, for some reason, the topic turns to Llama's and Sexual Innuendo and who knows what else. There is no need for this, and I do get complaints about it. So here's a suggestion. As there was probably something or someone in the original thread that sparked the idea to go off topic... just create a thread with OT- as the title and if you must reference the original thread, do so. But remember, this BB is for Ovation Guitars.

Again, there will be no heavy fisted moderation, I'm just asking, and maybe you should ask yourselves... If what you are about to REPLY doesn't really address the original post, and really isn't about Ovation guitars, does it really belong here? I realize that some OT stuff is fun. I'm NOT saying to knock it off completely, just think for a moment before you post, and think about who's going to read it.

Thanks