software

Rather than derail the other thread, I figured I'd start a poll.
A number of us seem to be dissatisfied with the quality of gear reviews on HC. I thought I'd put the shoe on the other foot and get an idea of how many of us have contributed meaningful reviews there. Do we expect good reviews to appear out of nowhere or are we actually willing to quot;do our partquot;?

I posted what I think is a really decent review of a Charvel model 4 on there.

I've written a review for a guitar and a few pickup reviews that I think were very objective. I waited until after the quot;honeymoonquot; period was over before evaluating them.

I have reviewed almost every amp and effect I have owned since around 1998 or so. I don't review guitars, because IMO a guitar is a very personal thing, and one person's experience with it may be completely different than another person's.

I always wait a month or two before I post my reviews (to avoid the quot;honeymoonquot; effect people have described), and I only review gear I own, not stuff I tried in a store for a few minutes.

Most of my reviews have been very honest, and I am hesitant to give out 10's unless the product is truly stellar. I believe I gave my Mesa DC-3 a few 10's, but I truly loved that amp. I have never posted an overly negative review, but that's probably because I've never really had gear that I have been pissed off about.

I've written a lot of good ones, but only on gear that's new, cutting edge, or boutique.
There's no point in adding to 50,000 reviews on strats n pauls.

If you go to the pickup list, the 2nd one is the 50th Ann Seths. So far, I've got the lone review on those.........and they're worth the $300 by the way!

I've written some reviews of pieces I bought that I thought were underrated, overrated, or just plain unknown. I write reviews for other sources as well (print and online), so I'm pretty pro-reviewing...

Mike

I wrote several but only remember the Les Paul Elegant and the Jon Moore humbucker.

The Elegant got a qualified review because it had such Tele-like bite and needed some beef (at least to this ear). To someone else it might have been the coolest.

The Jon Moore 'bucker got the best review of anything I've ever written about.

I got an email from a guy just last week, asking me about a review of a guitar I had written 5 mos ago. We ended up sending several emails to each other about gear and such, so yes, I think it was helpful.

I got a few responses too.

I've never written a review for HC.. I may well do in the future though, I think I could write a good review on my amp, but it's outdated now lol (flextone 2)

I think I've written some reviews over time that got more and more detailed as to what the pros and cons of the particular gear were. In the beginning, I think it's hard to really accurately review a product when the individual doesn't have much experience with gear. I feel now that I have a very good handle on the different tonal properties out there, what works, what doesn't, etc.

I'll admit, there were some reviews that I laughed at because back then I thought I had it all figured out and I've learned so much since then. Perhaps I should have waited more before reviewing an item when I didn't have a lot of exposure to gear out there.

Harmony-Central is just an outlet for people to post their opinions of a piece of gear, it doesn't necessarily dictate that it's accurate. A tone search is a very personal thing and if you search hard, you'll learn a lot. I feel I've pretty much figured out what I like, what works for me and what inspires me to play more (the keyword being me).

And yes, it always feels good when others e-mail you based on a particular item and you can help them out

I've never posted a review before at HC because I honestly believe that I haven't had enough experience with gear to give an accurate or useful review.

i'm good at objective pickup reviews, but not guitars.

I've written a few. One was a review of Harmonic Design pickups. It was a stellar review, I'd had the pickup for about 2 years prior to writing the review. I vaguely remember writing a review of bass amps, and someone contacted me about them through HC, but I don't see the review there.

I wrote a review for the Analog Man Bi-CompROSSor on 1/17/2004. Feel free to read it and tell me if you found it helpful. I feel it's a decent review and the scores are well-deserved.

- Keith


Originally Posted by The Golden BoyI've written a few. One was a review of Harmonic Design pickups. It was a stellar review, I'd had the pickup for about 2 years prior to writing the review. I vaguely remember writing a review of bass amps, and someone contacted me about them through HC, but I don't see the review there.

Which HD pickup was it?

Super 90. I've had them for around 6-7 years and I'm still on a honeymoon with it.

I definately reviewed my zion strat and may have reviewed my PRSCE24- But reminds me that I should update either way-


Originally Posted by The Golden BoySuper 90. I've had them for around 6-7 years and I'm still on a honeymoon with it.

I've got a Super 90 in the bridge position of my Tele. Freakin' LOVE it!

Where's yours?

I posted one last year for the Martin D28 shortly after I got mine and had time to play with it. I've done another one since but can't remember what it was for...................................oh now I do, it was for my Epi LP Standard Plus. I think they're pretty informative and honest based off my experience.