Bass Player Mag Jazz Bass 50th Anniversary Issue

[Dr. Cheese]

I picked up the Bass Player mag "50th Anniversary of the Fender Jazz Bass" issue. Of all the issues of Bass Player, this one has made me more uncomfortable than any other. I would never dispute the importance of the Jazz Bass design. I currently own a low budget jazz myself, and I have owned many others in the past. Bu this issue reeks of being an extended Fender commercial. The special 50th Anniversary Jazz is on the cover, and more tothe point, there are no articles on other companies takes on the Jazz design.

[adivin]

Well, it's the 50th anniversary of the "Fender" Jazz, not Jazz copy anniversary. Don't be uncomfortable Cheese, everything will be fine.

[Jim Campbell]

Originally Posted by Dr. Cheese

I picked up the Bass Player mag "50th Anniversary of the Fender Jazz Bass" issue. Of all the issues of Bass Player, this one has made me more uncomfortable than any other. I would never dispute the importance of the Jazz Bass design. I currently own a low budget jazz myself, and I have owned many others in the past. Bu this issue reeks of being an extended Fender commercial. The special 50th Anniversary Jazz is on the cover, and more tothe point, there are no articles on other companies takes on the Jazz design.

how's that any different that any other issue.....most of what they call content is thinly veiled advertising,surrounded by advertising,gear reviews which are not much more than advertising......and glossy pics of guys playing in front of endorsement gear....which could be considered as advertising too.....

[Dr. Cheese]

Originally Posted by Jim Campbell

how's that any different that any other issue.....most of what they call content is thinly veiled advertising,surrounded by advertising,gear reviews which are not much more than advertising......and glossy pics of guys playing in front of endorsement gear....which could be considered as advertising too.....

True, but I think the current issue is even more blatant.

[Jim Campbell]

Originally Posted by Dr. Cheese

True, but I think the current issue is even more blatant.

take a look at an issue/masthead and compare it to an issue from when bill leigh was in charge

[hdracer]

It's no different than the 50th Anniversary P Bass issue. Same layout, time line. 50 years is a big deal for a bass like the Jazz.

[edbass]

Well, you would have to be obtuse to not realize that BP is a "for profit" entity. Every magazine I can think of except for Consumer Reports is ad revenue driven.
The publisher isn't obligated to make you happy, the publisher is obligated to earn a profit.
If you don't like it; DON'T BUY IT.

However the Fender Jazz Bass® is a pretty iconic design, and just because countless people have ripped off Leo's original design over the years, it doesn't change the fact that if it doesn't say "Fender®"; it isn't a "Jazz®".
In an issue dedicated to a true bass guitar legend, why should the magazine glorify the myriad copycat manufacturers who simply plagerized Leo's Fender Jazz Bass® concept to sell their wares rather than come up with their own original design?

Let the knock off artists actually design an original bass that becomes an icon, and if BP is around in 50 years they can dedicate an issue to that one as well.

[Twocan]

You guys are making me feel like a tool - I just read the article yesterday and enjoyed it.

I enjoyed it for the same reason I bought the History Of the Fender Bass book - it was informative and interesting. whether you play a Fender or not, they're basses that have influenced most, if not all, of the others out there. Small tidbits, such as pickup placement changes in the 70's were new information to me. It gives a little more reason for why different owners / plants / eras appeal to different players.

At least BP Magazine took a short break from worshiping the same 5-10 bassists every month (although there were "Jaco" and "Geddy" mentions in the article).

[Jim Campbell]

Originally Posted by edbass

Well, you would have to be obtuse to not realize that BP is a "for profit" entity. Every magazine I can think of except for Consumer Reports is ad revenue driven.
The publisher isn't obligated to make you happy, the publisher is obligated to earn a profit.
If you don't like it; DON'T BUY IT.

i don't like it,i dont buy them,at least not new........and i believe i have every right to comment on it,whether i buy it or not

[adivin]

Here we go, another Bass Player sucks thread...

[COOL AND DEADLY]

I enjoyed it, too. I enjoy articles on gear and player history. I'm less drawn to an article about "Murderface" cartoon bassist.

[Mulebagger]

Once in a while I pick up a BP mag to keep in the 1/2 bath. I have to agree with Cheese, it seemed a bit lacking. You know, the same old same old. I would have liked to see some pics of the J bass designs that didn't work well, or the more oddball stuff linked to the Jbass over the years. My first bass was a 75 jazz and I have a killer RI of a 75 made in the early 80's. One of my favorite non Fender basses is my Modulus VJ. SO I have much love for the bass. For the news stand price I was just hoping for something more interesting while I'm taking 10 minutes here and there to read it

[Dr. Cheese]

Originally Posted by adivin

Here we go, another Bass Player sucks thread...

I don't think BP "sucks." It's just that I have been a regular reader/subscriber since the first 1988 special edition, and I think I have a right to express my opinion some times.

[steamthief]

Originally Posted by edbass

Well, you would have to be obtuse to not realize that BP is a "for profit" entity. Every magazine I can think of except for Consumer Reports is ad revenue driven.
The publisher isn't obligated to make you happy, the publisher is obligated to earn a profit.
If you don't like it; DON'T BUY IT.

However the Fender Jazz Bass® is a pretty iconic design, and just because countless people have ripped off Leo's original design over the years, it doesn't change the fact that if it doesn't say "Fender®"; it isn't a "Jazz®".
In an issue dedicated to a true bass guitar legend, why should the magazine glorify the myriad copycat manufacturers who simply plagerized Leo's Fender Jazz Bass® concept to sell their wares rather than come up with their own original design?

Let the knock off artists actually design an original bass that becomes an icon, and if BP is around in 50 years they can dedicate an issue to that one as well.

Well said. I'm sure there will be a similar article on the Stingray in the 2020's if Bass Player still exists.

That being said, I won't be renewing my subscription. The dropoff in the level of content makes it irrelevant.

[XXL]

I liked the issue and specifically the article about the Fender Jazz turning 50. I found it well written and informative although a bit short for my tastes.

[JimK]

Originally Posted by hdracer

It's no different than the 50th Anniversary P Bass issue. Same layout, time line. 50 years is a big deal for a bass like the Jazz.

Agree. I just recently dug out the P-bass issue out & was wondering if BP would do the same thing with the Jazz bass...& then this issue shows up the other day.

[edbass]

Originally Posted by Mulebagger

I would have liked to see some pics of the J bass designs that didn't work well, or the more oddball stuff linked to the Jbass over the years.

+1 That would have been very interesting.

[Ewo]

Originally Posted by Dr. Cheese

The special 50th Anniversary Jazz is on the cover, and more tothe point, there are no articles on other companies takes on the Jazz design.

Well, yeah--no articles. But didja catch the photos on the first page of the NAMM show feature? Nordy, Spector, and Fodera versions of Fenders. That was a nice splash for them, I thought.