The dynamics of a NGD thread

kentuckyklira · September 2023

When I look at my own and others' NGD threads I see very different responses even though the threads are fairly similar, other than the guitar of course.

What do you expect, what do you want to know, what pics do you expect?

For example, is a "new Squier day" worth mentioning unless it´s something really rare?

BillDL · September 2023

kentuckyklira said:

For example, is a "new Squier day" worth mentioning unless it´s something really rare?

I suppose it all comes down to WHY somebody has posted about their new guitar. If somebody has bought a guitar that's fairly standard in most respects but the new owner has been very pleasantly surprised about how good it feels to play or how unexpectedly excellent it sounds, then it's certainly "worth" talking about for the benefit of others that may be considering similar purchases. If it has been a "worthwhile" purchase to the buyer, then it's likely to be "worth" posting about.

NGD posts are usually a lot deeper than the blatant vanity displayed when people take a trout-faced selfie while dressed up before a night out and post it on social media with an expectation and overwhelming need for for all the "lovely", "you look gorgeous", etc comments that are guaranteed to follow. With guitars people are sharing their joy about something other than themselves. Yes, there might be a little bit of vanity involved insofar as the new owner would be justifiably peeved if somebody posted "looks shite", "crappy colour", or "needs a Bigsby", but perhaps there is also an element of seeking validation from others that they made a good choice. This validation usually follows on in the form of "I have one of those in green, but the blue looks even better", or "I would love one of those" or "I agree, they sound great".

"Worth mentioning" is really whether YOU feel that it has been worth typing the post and embedding photos.

I wonder whether there are "New Saw Day" or "New Clamp Day" posts on woodworking and carpentry forums? I would suppose that there probably are posts about new tools that the owners are really pleased with, but it would hardly be worthwhile posting about the purchase of a new Draper 12" metal rule or new Stanley screwdriver, because they aren't innovative or different enough to captivate anybody's attention. Guitars are different though. They have much more "personaility" and character than a tool, even if they are common production ones.

I would guess that a lot of people refrain from creating a NGD post in case others might not be terribly interested, or feel they are showing off, or that it might seem they are rubbing others' noses in it if the guitar is particularly expensive, or simply that some people don't want everybody to know how many and what value of guitars they have from a privacy and security point of view.

Cirrus · September 2023

There's an element of group think as to what's exciting here, and a cliquishness to it. I've done one NGD post in the time this forum's existed. All that happened is that someone who didn't like me Lol'd it, a real slight on their own character. I tend to share the excitement and joy of new gear with friends, the forum can be very hollow for stuff like this.

Bigsby · September 2023

kentuckyklira said:

When I look at my own and others' NGD threads I see very different responses even though the threads are fairly similar, other than the guitar of course.

What do you expect, what do you want to know, what pics do you expect?

For example, is a "new Squier day" worth mentioning unless it´s something really rare?

The only thing I expect are pics, and the only thing I want to know is enough information to know what that pics are of! Though extra info is usually a welcome bonus.

I think the level of response can be a bit random. But if it's a guitar, it should be worth a NGD post to someone else on the forum. I'd certainly rather see another NGD thread than one of the endless spin-off threads that this forum seems to get so many of.

GoldenEraGuitars · September 2023

I enjoy a bit of backstory, decent pics and a review of initial impressions. Based on how my last NGD went I’ll be keeping the next one to myself

blobb · September 2023

I think it should be compulsory, if you obtain a new guitar, to show it here. It's a guitar forum and I like seeing pictures of guitars. Weird or normal, cheap or expensive, doesn't matter. "Here's my new guitar" is all it needs. Not sure it needs a response but if posters feel they need some commentary I'll start writing something. Same for amps, pedals, even cables if you so wish. Anything goes so long as it's guitar related in some way. Not sure I'm bothered about your new toaster. Then again NTD has a certain ring about it...

Lewy · September 2023

I imagine a lot of people don't have anyone they know in real life who'd be particularly interested in whether they got a new guitar, so a NGD post is a nice way to get some good vibes and nothing more.

Whenever I post one, it's usually only because I'm interested to see who's either interested in or experienced with that guitar. So the last one I did was when I got a Charvel which was a totally new direction for me, and wanted to see who else was into them. I've acquired another strat since then and haven't felt moved to post a NGD about that really.

Dr_Necessiter · September 2023

Bit of a review would be good to go with the guitar porn.

Dumodal · September 2023

I enjoy a little bit of a review and why the person got the guitar also people being happy because a piece of gear makes me happy too!

maharg101 · September 2023

Dumodal said:

I enjoy a little bit of a review and why the person got the guitar also people being happy because a piece of gear makes me happy too!

This. I like to read any back story about how the guitar was acquired, what it means to the new owner, thoughts from other contributors on the merits or otherwise of the guitar. It's just interesting and nice to share the feel good factor around.

Fortheloveofguitar · September 2023

I’ve bought about 10 guitars since I last posted a NGD. I don’t bother any more as most of them didn’t even get one comment.

richardhomer · September 2023

I think the primary reason people post NGDs is to show they know how to post pictures on here. Blatant ego, designed to make those of us who think a moon shot would be easier to feel oppressed…

Roland · September 2023

It doesn't surprise me that a lot of new guitar threads don't get much comment. The same is true of many build threads. They get read, but receive few comments.

Nevertheless I'm interested in which guitars people buy (and build), and what they like about them. I know what interests me about a particular guitar, but I don't know about what interests other people. It came as a complete surprise when I learned that people want guitars which have been artificially aged.

Sassafras · September 2023

My only expectation is for the make of guitar to be included in the NGD title so I can avoid the cheaper, poverty makes.

mrkb · September 2023

Sassafras said:

My only expectation is for the make of guitar to be included in the NGD title so I can avoid the cheaper, poverty makes.

I’d prefer them to state the colour in the title, I mainly like black guitars with tort pickguards,

Philly_Q · September 2023

Sassafras said:

My only expectation is for the make of guitar to be included in the NGD title so I can avoid the cheaper, poverty makes.

It does actually help if the thread title says more than just "NGD" to capture the attention.

Pictures are essential, that's for sure. Which is one of the reasons I generally don't start NGD threads, I don't like taking pictures and I don't want to have an Imgur account.

roberty · September 2023

Imo it's a way of normalising addiction. I mean this in the best possible way

roberty · September 2023

I haven't done NGDs for my last couple

Supportact · September 2023

I just like looking at pictures of guitars, hearing about them, it doesn't really matter if it's something rare or commonplace. I might not always comment on it, if I can't think of anything specific to say.

Neil · September 2023

If I bought a new guitar I would certainly post a NGD just to share my happiness - but it's such a rare occurrence.

GoFish · September 2023

Neil said:

If I bought a new guitar I would certainly post a NGD just to share my happiness - but it's such a rare occurrence.

Chin up, let me know when that is (so I don't miss it) and I will definitely comment.

roberty said:

Imo it's a way of normalising addiction. I mean this in the best possible way

I'd say minimising addiction rather than normalising it? Another way to think of it would be that it's a ray of positivity through an otherwise humdrum period for the poster. Sure it's retail therapy at best and it's emphereral. It's not gigging, or writing a song, or even learning something new. But it is optimistic - a doorway towards some of these aspirations. Or just quenching / displacing a long held latent desire.

It's an opportunity to be pretty unashamedly indulgent, which can be quite rare for (mostly male) people of a certain age. So I like to chime in with support whenever i can. I'd rather be saying "nice song" or "that is excellent playing" or whatever, but those things are concrete, amazing achievements. A HNGD could mark the first step of someone's 1000 mile journey. It probably won't, but it could.

Also shiny.

SPECTRUM001 · September 2023

Love NGD threads.

Some info and photos, be it an objective review or reasoning behind a purchase (eg bucket list or particular colour/finish) is good - I guess one pic with no backstory is a little lacking though.

I think I have posted three or four, which have all been super enthusiastic; as I will have been deliriously happy and wanted to share the feeling.

I find New Amp Day a really helpful research tool (less about the pics and more about performance) - an impartial view, that helps shape potential purchase decisions.

Ultimately though, I find new purchase stuff a really good read !

Litterick · September 2023

I like pictures that show the owner's furniture.

Yorkie · October 2023

I sometimes see NGD threads as prenuptial agreements.

mrkb · October 2023

Litterick said:

I like pictures that show the owner's furniture.

Furniture good, Feet bad.

fretfinder · October 2023

I’ve done a few NGD posts in the past but have sometimes gone on to sell the guitar, even if during the honeymoon period I loved it! Although having said that, my last NGD almost 18 months ago was for my Ivison Dakota and that fabulous guitar is going nowhere.

suspiciousminds · October 2023

I’ve done these type of posts and i enjoy seeing others post their NGD’s.
From the posters view i get that theres usually a large element of initial excitement about the purchase and they may end up being flipped but i like looking at guitars and seeing what others like too.
i do spend time looking at the closeup pics on GuitarGuitar, Andertons etc etc, but at least here you can see what actual people have bought for their hobby and very often good honest reviews.

roberty · October 2023

fretfinder said:

my last NGD almost 18 months ago was for my Ivison Dakota and that fabulous guitar is going nowhere.

There's nowhere left to go from there, really! An excellent decision

Wazmeister · October 2023

Simply to share the joy of the new purchase...

Pics, background, thoughts before and after, the story, and maybe a mini review.

It's a forum ! Surely these are the great things that we do here...

And don't look for validation from others; how they react is down to them.

Fishboy7 · October 2023

mrkb said:

Litterick said:

I like pictures that show the owner's furniture.

Furniture good, Feet bad.

Or skid-marked pants

fretfinder · October 2023

roberty said:

fretfinder said:

my last NGD almost 18 months ago was for my Ivison Dakota and that fabulous guitar is going nowhere.

There's nowhere left to go from there, really! An excellent decision

Thank you. I’d love to have one of Neil’s Hurricane 59s too, and a DC Jr, and a Dakota Korina, and a Dakota 65… But for that I’d have to sell several other guitars, which would be daft wouldn’t it, wouldn’t it…?

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