Bass Gear Magazine...my dream come true!!

[XavidmanX]

I got the first issue of Bass Gear Magazine in the mail the other day and haven't been able to put it down long enough to start a thread raving about it like I wanted to since I got it.

I stopped subscribing to other bass magazines long ago because I just couldn't get into some of the artist profiles for guys that I don't really listen to. I might pick up the occasional issue but they stopped tickling my fancy long ago.

Well, now my fancy has been tickled...by none other than Tom Bowlus, Martin Roseman and the crew at Bass Gear Magazine!

I'm a non-apologetic gear whore and love every picture, review, whatever, I can get my hands on. If you're like me and love gear, but hate to buy it without the first idea of what to expect quality or tone-wise then this magazine is for you too.

The mag is well thought out, well laid out, and it's a quality product. They go into great detail with every review including their thoughts from the product performance on a live gig to a bench test from some of the best techs in the business. I thought I could get by with the free subscription but now that I've laid my hands on the thick paper, smelled that new magazine smell, and seen the purty pictures...I'm sold. You owe it to yourself to give it a try for yourself and make sure to upgrade to a print subscription so this magazine will be around for a long time!

Way to go BGM!

So where's the next issue! I finished the first one in, like, 2 hours!
(BTW...I'm in no way affiliated with BGM and don't get any kickbacks, monetary or otherwise.)

[Earwigger]

Is there a website where I can go to subscribe? I'm sick of magazines with tons of fluff and nothing of substance, aka mostly Guitar stuff and pumping their sponsor's equipment with "reviews".

EDIT: I googled and found it. Apparently there's a way to get to read it online for free, but it asks for a password.. and I was never given a password. I think their site is broken.

[ghoulbug]

http://www.bassgearmag.com/web/subscribe_entry.php
Use the first option and put in your email.

I love how they focus on only the gear, which used to be that tiny section I only bothered to read in other magazines.

It's like the creme filling of a Double-Stuffed Oreo without that annoying cookie part!

Wonder when the next issue's coming out though.... it's been too long!

[Earwigger]

Originally Posted by ghoulbug

http://www.bassgearmag.com/web/subscribe_entry.php
Use the first option and put in your email.

Did that. And confirmed it with the email. No password was given to me.

EDIT: I just got it to work.. thanks!

[ghoulbug]

Niiice.
Take out a nice, cold beer and enjoy your new magazine!

[Mike Shevlin]

Love it! Great reviews and an AMAZING print quality. I can't wait for future issuses! I think Tom could spend the first 10 years reviewing the stuff in his house!

[XavidmanX]

Originally Posted by Mike Shevlin

Love it! Great reviews and an AMAZING print quality. I can't wait for future issuses! I think Tom could spend the first 10 years reviewing the stuff in his house!

+1!!

[tombowlus]

First off, thank you for the kind words! We are very glad that you find our magazine to be of some interest, and hopefully, of some use.

Originally Posted by ghoulbug

Wonder when the next issue's coming out though.... it's been too long!

Well, our goal was to have it out by now, but we have had a few unavoidable delays. Such as:

1.) Having to replace our technical editor for amps/cabs (which was just an unfortunate case of a 'real job' justifiably getting in the way of this - for now - 'extra-curricular' activity); and

2.) Having to drive to Chicago (and back; after work) to pick up all of the gear that was previously stashed and ready for technical review; and

3.) Having to buy a good bit of additional equipment in order to gear up our new technical editor such that he could crank out the same kind of detailed charts, specs; and

4.) Hurricane Ike - yes, Hurricane Ike!!! In Ohio!!! I know it is bizarre, but that darned hurricane left a good bit of Ohio, including the Dayton area, where new technical editor Tom Lees resides, without power. Oh, and need I mention that this hit right after the new test gear was delivered? Really helpful...

But, those are all pansy excuses, I know. We are, however, pounding away at issue #2, and trying to get it out ASAP. On the plus side, I am just super excited by the level of effort Tom Lees (our new Technical Editor for amps/cabs) is putting forth. Expect much longer, more detailed, technical reviews.

As a sneak peak under the hood of issue #2, here is a list of the gear we are reviewing:

Full Reviews:

Reeves Custom 225
Markbass Classic 300
Markbass CL108
Carvin B1500 (and sidebar on B800)
EA Wizzy 10
Fender American Standard Precision V
Warwick Corvette Standard 5
Dingwall Z3 5-string
Barker Brio 4-string fretless
MTD 635
Creation Audio Labs boost pedal
Three Leaf envelope follower pedal

Quick Look Reviews:

GK MB2-500
GK Fusion 550
Hartke LH1000
Hartke HyDrive 4x10
Fender MIM 70's Jazz Reissue
EA NM-208

Again, thank you all very much for the support!

Tom.

[burk48237]

Tom, Have you ever considered having some "shootouts"? I would love to see a boutique J Bass shootout for obvious reasons.

Also I'm still waiting for the Thunderfunk 750 review. Do you take requests? I'm starting to sound like a drunk bar patron at a gig, and I've only had one Glengoyne 17 tonight.:

[ghoulbug]

Originally Posted by tombowlus

Full Reviews:

Reeves Custom 225
Markbass Classic 300
Markbass CL108
Carvin B1500 (and sidebar on B800)
EA Wizzy 10
Fender American Standard Precision V
Warwick Corvette Standard 5
Dingwall Z3 5-string
Barker Brio 4-string fretless
MTD 635
Creation Audio Labs boost pedal
Three Leaf envelope follower pedal

Quick Look Reviews:

GK MB2-500
GK Fusion 550
Hartke LH1000
Hartke HyDrive 4x10
Fender MIM 70's Jazz Reissue
EA NM-208

Again, thank you all very much for the support!

Tom.

That's quite a list there. Along with your inevitable setbacks, the amount of time it's taking for each issue should be understandable. It's just that I feel like a kid having to wait for Christmas morning to open his presents!

Also, how long are you guys going to offer the free digital subscriptions? Squinting at the monitor on the computer, I realized how much more special it is to have the reading material on paper in your hands. Wouldn't be that bad to be "forced" to pay for the paper subscription!

[tombowlus]

Originally Posted by ghoulbug

That's quite a list there. Along with your inevitable setbacks, the amount of time it's taking for each issue should be understandable. It's just that I feel like a kid having to wait for Christmas morning to open his presents!

This will not be an 'every issue' delay, I assure you. Issue #3 is already well underway.

Also, how long are you guys going to offer the free digital subscriptions?

The option of a free digital subscription is part of our business model, and not just a promotion. So it's not going to go away. Furthermore, we are working on making the digital version easier to use and read.

Tom.

[Virgil]

I too have found this magazine to be the best in the business; a great resource tool if you are contemplating purchasing bass gear. I recently received my other bass magazine and it pales in comparison. Keep up the good work, your labor is much appreciated.

[Alex van Funk]

Originally Posted by tombowlus

The option of a free digital subscription is part of our business model, and not just a promotion. So it's not going to go away. Furthermore, we are working on making the digital version easier to use and read.

I love you guys.

EDIT: If I had money I would buy them, but I don't. If I'll have money soon I'll subscribe indefinitely.