If someone were to do an analysis of our thread topics, I bet there would be an evident shift in what is typically discussed here.
When I joined these forums (DFO included) it was around 2007-2008. Back then, especially in THIS category, most threads were about vintage 60s-70s MIJ and the stencil phenomenon. Those were very exciting days of learning for me. I was embraced by a handful of the diehard Mentors on here and I sucked it all up like a sponge.
I am not saying it does not still happen, but it seems to me that the MIJ phenom is much less discussed now. I believe it has become much more common knowledge. I believe this social media, on a large scale, has virtually and drastically changed the collective knowledge about all vintage drums.
My friends and brothers tell me I should deal drums for a living with all I know about vintage drums. I believe I do know enough (and am resourceful enough) to function as a drum dealer full time. Unfortunately, the pricing and the overwhelming common knowledge has changed everything in the world of instrument dealing. Gone are the days when all it took was knowledge. It is almost impossible for anyone to make a decent living dealing instruments with the onset of the internet, forums like these and the easy access to expert level knowledge; and the fierce no-room competition that recent developments have helped create.
So I guess there are pros and cons to all this.....but my whole point of this thread (what got me to post this in the first place I guess) is that the fascinating knowledge I enjoyed learning back then has become much more common knowledge now that it is much more infrequent that it comes up (MIJ stencil phenom) - and that more now than before, this category has become less active than before, and I will admit, much more difficult to find a fascinating discussion for me to find.
Thanks for letting me think outloud.......
