I've been banned from Tappistry.org for "sliming". Effective immediately, without any notification from the forum admin, and to be revoked "never".

Apparently I have recieved "warnings" in the past. Well, I did get a few PMs asking me not to call Traktor a "used car salesman". And I took the point and apologised to him.

I never used offensive language or (ever) attacked a particular brand of guitars.

I did however take issue with Traktor Topaz's misinformation and the extensive use of "Chapman Stick" in every piece of Megatar advertising. But this is already obvious to everyone, irrespective of the instrument they play, including the Megatar guys on Tappistry.

I also objected to a post of mine being removed (censored) without any explanation given. This also applies to my latest post, which presumably led to the "sliming ban".

And yes, I did defend Emmett Chapman's integrity even though have no affiliation with Stick Enterprises.

So, there's another Stick player gone from Tappistry.

Cheers,
Andy

From time to time, I'm going to this forum, and always find your messages very measured (or, at least, more measured than i'd write)



The latest videos posted on YT were incredible, with all these mentions to the Stick to qualify his "work". This guy is just mad.
He's doing a lot to try to sell his instrument (I had the "chance" to try one in Paris last year, it was just an un-playable girder, but that's another discussion) and to endorse some tapping players for some years. His aggresive and disrespectful method would not make me proud to own a Megatar (hopefully, I've such a crappy playing that he didn't offer me anything)

Thanks, I think I'm pretty level-headed...

I really can't comment on the instruments - haven't played a Megatar, but I accept that people make personal choices about instruments. I'm generally of the opinion that the more people playing anything, the better off the world is.

As for Traktor, he's not just alienating Stick players. After one of the discussions on Tappistry, I received several PMs from people who had either played (or were considering buying) Megatars, telling me that Traktor's hard sell tactics had turned them off.

Cheers,
Andy

Definitely level-headed, Andy, just not level-shouldered, hehehehe. (Posture-wise! :p)

That's pretty ridiculous treatment, but not all that surprising. I've had words/disagreements with Traktor on a number of occasions, but obviously haven't frequented the site enough to get banned. Maybe I should find the time and give it a go!

Cheers,

Justin

Wear it as a badge of honor! You stood your ground with dignity. And in regard to Megetars ... I owned one. I sold my 1st Polycarb Stick and bought one because I didn't want to wait for a new Stick and it was available right away. It DIDN'T inspire me and I eventually traded it in on a bass guitar. The Guitar Center couldn't GIVE it away! They had it at the store for around a year and ended up offering it for less than they gave me on the trade. It was so cheap "I" almost bought it back for yucks! A few years later I decided to try the Chapman Stick again and now will probably own/play one for life. You can't compair them ... both tap instruments but really Apples and Oranges in regard to feel and playability.

Interesting to note the lack of response from Traktor himself....

Or Tritone, my old buddy...

EG

The great "open" and "all-embracing" forum

If anyone here is still active on both, they might consider posting Andy's original post over there so the few remaining can see what happens when they "step out of line."

I just dared to ask about your ban on tappistry. Will I be banned too?

http://tappistry.org/forum/showthread.php?p=13709#post13709

Hi Andy,

The world is full of petty tyrants. You challenged the basis of TT's fictional "touchstyle" utopia and paid the price. Personally, I think you're better off not being there (I know I am). The readership and participation on that forum have been steadily falling for many months. There are a some nice folks there, sure, but mainly the atmosphere has been darkly clouded by TT's anti-Stick marketing agenda, masquerading as enthusiasm for tapping music (same as it ever was).

If it was working better for him, he probably wouldn't have to resort to this:



http://netway.us/

Good luck in your new career, TT (and whatever new identity it may bring). May it serve you better and be less divisive than your last 15 years of endeavors.

PS, there was no copyright notice on the netway video or website, I checked. Wouldn't want to be caught playing someone else's game

Andy,

I can't recall you doing anything worth banning, and didn't even know that you had been "warned". Despite being labeled as an admin on that forum (which I do none of, was just trying to fix the internal search feature, but couldn't/didn't have time to figure it out). It seems that what's good for the goose is not good for the gander.

Yes, I think his marketing tactics are a turn off (as many others have also expressed on tappistry), and after all of Traktor's talk about free speech in other posts, I am very surprised and disappointed to hear of your banning.

Every tapping player I have met, who is not affiliated with a particular tapping company, has had zero issue with people playing the brand of their choice. It is a shame that the company opinions and tactics are sometimes attached to the customers of that company.

Regarding reconsidering participation in tappistry, their are alot of good folks there who I don't see elsewhere, and the member base is still more "multi-denominational" than any other tapping site I am aware of. Really, where else is there to go? (Not that I don't find lots of great people and relevant information here, but not being a stickist on stickist.com, I am admittedly an odd-man out.)