Possible commercial links between ICW and Ibanez

[frenchresearcher]

Hi everybody,
I am back to ICW to answer a new little question about my guitar university research:
I was very pleased , last time , knowing count on our community to clearly answering my interrogations.
Thus, my second area of research is about the fact how firms as Ibanez can react in front of negative rumours on forum? ; which tools can be used and especially why John create a such website. Finally , what about possible commercial links between  ICW and Ibanez?


Thanks a lot for any help
I am sure that conclusions will feed our community


God Bless ICW
 

[ChuckE99]

1. Johns runs this forum to profit, that is unquestioned. However, I am willing to bet he makes very little from it. Barely enough to support it, in my opinion. After all, we take up a lot of bandwidth here. We post tons of pictures. We generate tons of page views.

2. It is also clear (and disclosed up front by Johns) that this site is supported by three main sources: 1) Donations from ICW members (see the "Hall of Fame" postings), 2) banner and other ads, and 3) the "ICW Friendly" links we post when we link to an eBay auction (if someone bids and wins an eBay auction after following one of those links, Johns earns a commission).

3. While Johns has made friends with several people at Ibanez/Hoshino, I doubt very much there is any form of financial remuneration to him solely because he runs this web site. Ibanez is lucky to have him (and us, for that matter). I just wish they listened to us more often.

All of this is fully disclosed and above board and, in my opinion, fully justified in the name of running a site that we all find to be immensely valuable to our collecting hobbies and, maybe even moreso, very entertaining.

Just my opinion.

[scooticus]

+1. Well said, Chuck.

[JohnS]

Frenchresearcher:

Maybe something is being "lost in the translation" in your questions. Here's my questions about your questions:

"...how firms as Ibanez can react in front of negative rumours on forum?" This seems like a reasonable question to ask for the member's "opinion".

"which tools can be used and especially why John create a such website." Is this 2 separate questions or 1 question with 2 parts? Regarding the first part: Who is "using tools"? Ibanez or ICW? The term "tools" is vague. Can you be more specific?

"Why I created this site?" is something that the members don't need to speculate about. I can answer that. But "why" I did this 10+ years ago, doesn't address what it has grown into today.

"Finally , what about possible commercial links between  ICW and Ibanez?" Very vague. Do you want opinions from the members on "possible commercial links" that they think exist now? Or "possible links" that they think should exist in the future?

I can answer what "commercial links" exist now...none. Does that mean I wouldn't pursue "possible commercial links" with Ibanez/Hoshino in the future? If they would benefit the ICW community, certainly I would.

Maybe your "research" would be better served if you and I worked together to "fine-tune" your questions, so they are more "focused". Send me a Private Message if that's something you would like to do. (My reply to the email you sent me on 5/2/09 got returned as "undeliverable".)

Chuck, just to clarify this: "Johns runs this forum to profit, that is unquestioned. However, I am willing to bet he makes very little from it." I would not say that "profit" is the correct term. Starting a site is easy and cheap, compared to keeping it open and running for over a decade. The monetary support items you mention in #2 are fairly recent additions to ICW. They have helped to offset all the "red ink" on the balance sheet. Please don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining. (I do wish that cashback was something that could benefit ICW, like eBay. Can you talk to BillyG about that? )

[Mongo]

++1

[ChuckE99]

Chuck, just to clarify this: "Johns runs this forum to profit, that is unquestioned. However, I am willing to bet he makes very little from it." I would not say that "profit" is the correct term. Starting a site is easy and cheap, compared to keeping it open and running for over a decade. The monetary support items you mention in #2 are fairly recent additions to ICW. They have helped to offset all the "red ink" on the balance sheet. Please don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining. (I do wish that cashback was something that could benefit ICW, like eBay. Can you talk to BillyG about that? )

Thanks Johns. I used "for profit" in its technical sense: This isn't a charity site or run as a strict "non-profit" organization. (Though if one does not profit from a "for profit" endeavor you might as well become a non-profit.)

[JohnS]

Chuck:

I used "for profit" in its technical sense: This isn't a charity site or run as a strict "non-profit" organization. (Though if one does not profit from a "for profit" endeavor you might as well become a non-profit.)

I understand. (BTW, please don't think that I was chastising you in anyway.) Just putting a fine point on a touchy subject...$$$$!

From a different viewpoint (non-monetary), I have received plenty of profit. If not for ICW and it's members, I would never have seen, held, played and owned some of the rarest guitars made by Hoshino and it's partners.

If it weren't for the ICW and HoshinoUSA "friendship" I probably would never have seen perform, and/or met such great musicians as: George Benson, Paul Gilbert, Joe Satriani, Steve Vai, etc. A special shout out to Larry Mitchell. Hopefully Doug Doppler will continue to be an active ICW member and I'll get to meet him; I have seen him play.

I've met some of Hoshino's presidents and other key employees that have been responsible for bringing these beautiful instruments, that we all admire/desire, to life. Special kudos to Jeff Hasselberger, Jim Donahue and Paul Specht. They are all stellar, in my book. How many can say that they've met, talked and eaten with they guy who made their prized Ibanez guitar? I can.

The ICW members that I've met in person (on both coasts) and shared many conversations (from guitars and music, to wine and beer) and even some beers with, is soooooo long. You all know who you are. Getting to Australia to meet the Captain and the rest of the "Downunder chapter" is still an unfulfilled dream. But someday I hope to fight my way through the Cane toads, spiders and killer dingos to share guitars and libations with the "mates".

I'd say that I've "profited".

The downside is that I'm being held responsible for infecting many with "VIS," otherwise known as "Vintage Ibanezitis Syndrome." Ouch, it hurts so good! :-)

[Mongo]

VIS, I knew this condition had a name....
A rare, but very contagious strain of GAS

Thanks John....   

[ChuckE99]

You've heard of "H1N1", the current killer flu virus? Well I've got the G1S1 (Gibraltar type I, Suregrips type I) strain.

[backer60]

I certainly hope that its at least a break even thing for John, given the time and energy involved with running the site and keeping a leash on the varied characters that post here{of which I consider myself to be one}. This is a great site. I hope the day comes where it makes you a nice tidy sum. Without this site I certainly wouldnt have gained the knowledge Ive  gained, met the great folks on this site, or have some of the great older guitars Ive scooped up. This site really brings me a great deal of pleasure, if you make money at it John, God bless, if you dont, you may be my favorite non profit.

[ChuckE99]

Also, everyone who uses this site (posters and lurkers) who benefits from the information shared here should make a PayPal donation by using the "PayPal Donate" button in the top right of this page. I know many of us do, but think if you've been able to score a good guitar, or learned enough not to buy a bad one, please donate and help Johns keep the site going.

[Mongo]

Also, everyone who uses this site (posters and lurkers) who benefits from the information shared here should make a PayPal donation by using the "PayPal Donate" button in the top right of this page. I know many of us do, but think if you've been able to score a good guitar, or learned enough not to buy a bad one, please donate and help Johns keep the site going.

+++1

[Grateful66]

Also, everyone who uses this site (posters and lurkers) who benefits from the information shared here should make a PayPal donation by using the "PayPal Donate" button in the top right of this page. I know many of us do, but think if you've been able to score a good guitar, or learned enough not to buy a bad one, please donate and help Johns keep the site going.

It's just the right thing to do.  Thank you for saying it Chuck.

[spoony]

Chuck and all,

Thanks for the encouragement. I have been meaning to donate for awhile. Between reading the post and harvesting some honey I decided it, while small at the moment, was way past time to do so. You guys gave me just the prompt I needed. I really have appreciated all the great folks who give their time and make this forum what it is. Though disabled and on a tight budget I felt ICW is a great resource and well worthy of a donation from me. 

I was really impressed when I found my MC500 posted a few pictures and asked some questions at the response I received. Where else could you get so much information on vintage Ibanez guitars? There is really great participation and a willingness to inform new comers on ICW. You just don’t bump into that kind of help everyday.

I’m still looking for that 80s all original player condition AR300AV with a nice top and I’m thinking I just might find it here on ICW.

Regards to everyone and to all who can drop a few bucks in the hat what are you waiting for,

spoony

[scooticus]

  I think this site, profitable or not, falls under the LOL category for Johns and the membership; that's Labor of Love.