Hello, all!

I've been a Mazda fan for years, but haven't owned one yet. We came REALLY close to buying a Mazda 3 Sport about 5 years ago. Loved the car, but had only one minor problem with it... my wife and i are both 6' tall, and the hatch only opens to about 5'10" tall. We bought a MINI Clubman for my wife instead, but i've been watching and eagerly awaiting the CX-5.

I saw it at the Toronto Auto Show and fell in love. Now i'm trying to win one!

Mazda Canada is running a contest on Facebook, and they're looking for Canadians who Defy Convention to create works of creativity, achievement or impact on society. I design and build my own guitars, and i feel that my approach to the design, construction and business aspects of my fledgling venture are all good reflections of the “Defy Convention” spirit. Like Mazda engineers, i pursue unique directions by re-thinking the way things have been done and pushing myself to find a better solution.

Check out my work at Decibel Guitars and Decibel Guitars | Facebook, and if you think i Defy Convention, please click the link below to vote, and share my story and this link with others!

http://mazda.thismoment.com/v4/api/f...d=57&page_id=5



Thanks! I hope with your help i'll be joining the family soon!


darren.

 

And just for fun, i thought you guys would like to see what the CX-5 will be replacing if i win...

Two seats. Rear engine. Rear drive. Turbocharged engine. Six-speed transmission with paddle shifters. A raging 43 horsepower and 75 lb-ft. of torque from its three cylinder engine.

I bring you, my 2006 smart fortwo cdi coupé:

 

Don't mind the others, welcome to the site.

 

For sure, welcome and lots of good CX-5 info can be found here.

 

Thanks for your support! Here's a little more background on how i got into building guitars...

When i first started playing guitar, i got into it as many teenage boys do, reading guitar magazines, keeping up to date on my favourite bands and guitarists, learning whatever i could. It didn't take me long to realize that i was far more interested in learning about the gear guitarists were using than i was about becoming a better player.

When i was 17, i built my first guitar… and loved it. But i was already on a path to university and a career in architecture, industrial design or graphic design. (I eventually attended York University and got a Fine Arts degree with a specialization in Communication Design, graduating with top honours.) That, combined with no access to a shop, meant my dream of building more guitars would have to wait.

Over the next 20 years, i read everything i could get my hands on and talked to whomever was willing share their knowledge… all while working my "day job" as a graphic designer. Fortunately, the Internet is full of fantastic resources, amateur and semi-pro builders, and many experienced luthiers who so kindly share their processes, their knowledge and their experience. In many ways, it was a 21st century apprenticeship of sorts.

As i voraciously consumed all this research, i continued to apply my design knowledge and experience toward refining designs i started dreaming up back in high school. The guitars you see on my site (Decibel Guitars and Decibel Guitars | Facebook) truly are the product of 20+ year process of design and research & development.

In that R&D phase, i made a commitment to re-thinking and re-evaluating every aspect of guitar building, rather than merely re-hashing designs from the 1940s and 1950s. Don't get me wrong… i have tremendous respect for guys like Leo Fender who designed tremendously innovative instruments that have become true cultural icons. But a lot has changed and evolved in 60+ years, so embracing new methods, materials and technologies has become a cornerstone of my design philosophy for Decibel Guitars.

Everything from the ergonomics of the body shape, to the way the neck is attached, to the way the frets are installed, has been re-evaluated and re-engineered. Many of the changes are subtle and not even visible to the player, but they all make a difference in making a state-of-the-art, high-performance guitar.

I will freely admit that i still have a TON to learn, and my skills are continuing to improve. But i will continue to Defy Convention every step of the way. I've got a head full of ideas i can't wait to explore! Decibel Guitars still isn't a full-time venture, but i already have a waiting list, and i'm building as fast as i can while still working as a designer.

Winning the CX-5 would mean a great deal. It would give me a lot more room to carry tools, wood and guitars, and the money saved on replacing my current vehicle will go into acquiring more shop equipment that will help propel my dream further forward.

I think my guitars Defy Convention, and reflect the spirit of innovation and unconventional thinking that has defined Mazda's success since its beginning.

If you agree, please vote for my entry in Mazda Canada's "Defy Convention" contest, and share my story and this link with your friends. I need as many votes as possible by May 20 in order to qualify for the final round of judging.

http://mazda.thismoment.com/v4/api/f...d=57&page_id=5

Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zIy5BIUJzmo

 

Voted.

 

I guess pretty much anything is fair game. When I buy my next car, I will test drive 3-5 cars, pick the one I like, then check various forums, such as this one, to find reliability issues or advantages of the car. This is one of the best research methods for people thinking about buying a Mazda or whatever. After all the car is a large and important purchase.

Thanx for joining.

I don't do Facebook. My nephew got hacked on it. It's also not job friendly when applying to jobs and the employer looks you up on Facebook!

 

So none of you ever discuss ANYTHING other than your cars?

Whether or not i win the contest, the CX-5 is at the top of my list to replace my current vehicle in the next year or so. Every vehicle i've ever owned, i've joined forums to learn about the vehicle, potential issues, aftermarket mods and to participate in a community. I'm offering you guys context about my participation in the contest and my hopes to become a Mazda owner, so i don't look like some random spambot.

There are a bunch of Mazda forums out there. I don't have to stay here if i'm not welcome.

 

Don't sweat the resident grouch. It is refreshing to see someone participate when they don't even have the car/suv yet.

 

Thanks for the support! I do realize that not everybody does facebook and not everybody wants to participate in something like this with a vote, a "Like" or a "Share", but if a couple of people spread the word, and a couple of people vote, then every little bit helps.

You do some really nice work, UR! A set of halos would sure look nice on the CX-5! Looking forward to seeing what the aftermarket does with it as well. I think it could also use a nice set of LED tail lamps.