Fender Discussion Page

The Fender Discussion Page is a web forum created by Idahoan Chris Greene. It began in 1999 and has since grown to become a close-knit community for many of its members.

The FDP (or "Fender Forum") began as a forum for discussing Fender guitars and related musical topics, but the general section, Moe's Tavern, is often the most popular section. (The section is named after in the animated sitcom The Simpsons.) The FDP continues to maintain sections for various kinds of musical instruments and for related topics, such as the Performer's Corner and the Home Recording Forum. After a trial period, posting in Moe's Tavern requires payment of annual membership dues; posting in the other sections is free.

Unlike many web forums, the FDP uses custom software, which many members appreciate because its pages are uncluttered and easy to read, even on mobile devices. The site's distinctive background color is that of the tweed covering used by Fender on many amplifiers and guitar cases. (See image)

Membership & Sponsors
The FDP is unusual in that it is supported by both direct business sponsorships and members' dues, but not by any dynamic or targeted advertising. Relatedly, members of the FDP community often donate more often than is required annually, especially after benefiting from advice found on the forum. The forum strictly prohibits discussions of politics or religion; Greene, his volunteer staff of moderators, and the membership at large have little tolerance for pettiness or flaming. Thus, FDP regulars often praise the FDP's uncommon civility among web forums.

The membership includes experts in myriad fields, many of whom often post advice and insight to members' non-music questions. Greene has noted that the FDP is busiest during the United States' normal workday hours: Many of its members post primarily from their office computers.

Sponsors
Among its longtime sponsors are the Berklee College of Music and . For a time, Fender Musical Instruments Corporation was a partial sponsor. At the peak of its campaign, Free Fiona partially sponsored the FDP. Members often make an effort to shop with the FDP's sponsors and encourage other members to do so.

Trivia

* The series of characters following the words "Moe's Tavern" illustrates Homer Simpson's head. Tilt your head to the left to recognize it: (_8^(I)

* The moderators' deletion tool is known as the "Delete-O-Bomb" or "DOB." Members joke that Greene launches them from his putative missile silo in Idaho.

* The mention of a "newbie head shave" is common in introductory threads made by new members; to date, there has been no evidence of a real-life head shave among FDP members.

* The FDP maintains a cookbook section, to which members contribute their favorite recipes, and a Classifieds section.

Recurring Topics
Many topics or themes recur to the amusement of regulars. Among these are the Ginger-or-Maryann debate (from the 1960s television sitcom ') and the maple-or-rosewood debate (referring to the two most common fretboard materials used on Fender guitars). These phrases ("Ginger or Maryann?" and "Maple or rosewood?") or even just a single choice (e.g. "Rosewood") are typical facetious responses to otherwise unrelated discussions that obviously involve personal preferences.

The term "GAS" ("guitar acquisition syndrome" or "gear acquisition syndrome") is common on the FDP and describes the often-constant drive to exchange, modify, or simply buy guitars and other music equipment.

Offline Activities
FDP members organize and host "FDP Jams" at various locations around the United States, to which members travel to socialize and play music. Members also convene at concerts and NAMM shows.

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See Also

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