Great post Kelly - sincere, humble, and above all, noble...
I noticed one thought in Your post - "I don't think much of the new stuff but..." I too don't get THAT excited about new drums nowadays, and I know how "excited" I was 5-6 years ago, about ANY brand, not just SONOR.
I think, as we age, we tend to stick to a certain developed taste, and don't show interest in "the new wines". And, when it comes to me, I'm like that in almost any field. Can't stand neither the latest fashion, nor the latest car models...
Each person is entitled to its own opinion. And I came to realize here that, in-spite of the disagreement, that opinion is valued and respected. Amen to that!!!
I also was "a regular" on the Sonor Forum up until 2010-2011. I never had a harsh word spoken to me, or spoken to. But, I noticed the wind change. And, with all honesty, the place lost it spirit, you can even say it became "commercial". It just didn't feel comfortable anymore.
I know the last 2 years have been hell in all of the world, but we come on Forums to share thoughts and experiences (good and bad) and not to deliberately pick on each other.
In fact, I post almost only in the Geek section, complimenting on drums bought. And my last post was, well, a long back (not counting the last-last one where I had to do it since I got pissed on how easy people tend to harass someone who never got in the way).
Sorry for the rant guys...
P.S. With all honesty, if I wrote a similar thread like this on the Sonor Forum, I just know that some smart guy wouldn't waste time with the "rotten cabbage and tomatoes", although I never "tormented" anyone in my life there. Well, it comes with Forum popularity I guess - the more, the merrier...