I HOPE "BASS PLAYER mag. get ANY worse?-edit....

[rodl2005]

Well it HAS - at least in the last 3 issues I usually only buy 2 or 3 issues a year-as I know it's not good, but Stupidity got the better of me & I've bought the last 2 issues(which out here -latest issue is Phil Lesh cover) & it seems to KEEP GETTING WORSE?!?!? How can it??
The latest(Lesh cover) has about 10-15mins reading in it, is so full of Adverts(in fact THEY'RE MORE interesting than most of the actual mag!) & it's about 1/2 the size of UK's "BASS GUITAR" mag- a FAR better choice! BUT STILL nowhere near as good as Tom Bowlus' "Bass Gear Magazine"!!!
"Bass Player" is $15+AUD out here.... & as long as curiosity doesn't get the better of me again.... That's the LAST issue I'll be buying of that "pamphlet"

Sorry - but HAD to 'vent' I'll save the 3 or 4 lots of $15 & buy a new lead or something!

[KJung]

I enjoy that magazine myself, and have no problem with it at all, especially for the very low yearly cost. There is always some article I enjoy reading, I typically get turned onto a new recording in the CD review section that I would not have otherwise been aware of, and through the ads, it's a nice way to see what is new in the marketplace, etc.

I also appreciate the short articles on lesser known bassists, either from popular bands across many genre's, or studio cats, etc. (including a quick review of their influences, gear, and what they are currently listening to). I also appreciate the transcriptions of 'classic' tunes sections.

IMO, and just another perspective. I've been a subscriber since the first issue (I guess technically the second issue, since their was no subscription available for that first 'test issue').

[JimK]

I agree with you, Ken. In fact, I still have every issue...including the 1st two 'test' ones.

Our pal in Austrailia, though, has a point...compared to his bottomline, we're getting the mag pretty damn cheap (our subscription rate = his single issue cost).

[GM60466]

Look who those advertisers are? The same folks who fill the big box stores. I can't remember the last time I saw a Lakland ad in BP. It is rumored that the issue with the cover story on Paul Chambers ended up costing the old editor his job when it was discovered that the cover photo of Paul Chambers wasn't Paul Chambers. I hope that was the case.
IF you like Geddy or Victor or Stanley, they have it covered. I can't remember an issue featuring Chuck Rainey, Jack Casady, Jimmy Garrison.

G

[stanknuckle]

Im from OZ and I agree with rodl2005, for the money, it is useless. We pay through the nose down here for a magazine with far too many ads.

[NickyBass]

It's a good magazine @ $15 per year.
It's not so good @ $15 an issue.

I'll usually read anything that is bass related. Most of the time it's just casual reading, and I don't gain much---but every once in a while, there is something that grabs my attention. The Steve Swallow interview was fantastic.

[KJung]

Originally Posted by JimK

I agree with you, Ken. In fact, I still have every issue...including the 1st two 'test' ones.

Our pal in Austrailia, though, has a point...compared to his bottomline, we're getting the mag pretty damn cheap (our subscription rate = his single issue cost).

+1, and to be fair to the OP, I sure wouldn't pay $15 an issue for anything.

[CrashClint]

Originally Posted by KJung

I enjoy that magazine myself, and have no problem with it at all, especially for the very low yearly cost. There is always some article I enjoy reading, I typically get turned onto a new recording in the CD review section that I would not have otherwise been aware of, and through the ads, it's a nice way to see what is new in the marketplace, etc.

I also appreciate the short articles on lesser known bassists, either from popular bands across many genre's, or studio cats, etc. (including a quick review of their influences, gear, and what they are currently listening to). I also appreciate the transcriptions of 'classic' tunes sections.

I agree with Ken. The other bright spot is I think I paid $12.95 for my current subscription.

[Lazylion]

Originally Posted by KJung

+1, and to be fair to the OP, I sure wouldn't pay $15 an issue for anything.

I'd pay $15 for an issue... if I was the cover story.

Otherwise, no.

(PS: I'm a subscriber)

[Jonathan Herrera]

To put one terribly wrong rumor to rest, Bill Leigh's departure from the staff had absolutely nothing to do with the Paul Chambers cover. Please read the back page of June '09 for the story.

We take A LOT of criticism (and kudos!), so I hope I'm not being oversensitive, but I get pretty bothered when the refrain echoed by GM60466 is put out there with no evidence. I don't know why Chuck Rainey, Jack Casady, and Jimmy Garrison are the particular touchstones of credibility, but regardless, we've done many different pieces on each of them, including multiple features, lessons, style studies, transcriptions, and analysis. We've also given the same treatment to hundreds of other players across the fame spectrum. Oh and glad you liked my Steve Swallow interview--that was probably my favorite artist-oriented experience since I started working here.

It's just incredibly frustrating to read: "IF you like Geddy or Victor or Stanley, they have it covered." when it in no way accurately represents what we do each month. SPOILER ALERT! To wit: the issue we're about to close includes Matt Freeman and Owen Biddle features, a Cliff Burton masterclass, a Tim Lefevbre masterclass, and a Fred Hammond full-song transcription. Plus, a bunch of other cool and interesting, hopefully unpredictable stuff.

As for the size, trust me, it's not by choice. The economy is brutal; ad revenue is down significantly. We're doing the best we can with limited options, and when you're an audited internationally distributed magazine with professional editorial, art, sales, and production staff, it's not cheap putting out each issue.

Hopefully the financial climate will get better; in the meantime, stay tuned for a totally redesigned website in the next month or so, and even more web-exclusive video and audio content.

[line6bassist]

do only anything i hate about bass player mag is there service...love the magazine but since the last two years of my subscription ...ive been missing 7 issues and have not send any replacements..........

[Jonathan Herrera]

Hey line6bassist,

Very sorry to hear that. PM your private email address, and I'll pass it along to our circulation manager. I'll make sure it gets resolved.

Jonathan Herrera
Senior Editor
BASS PLAYER

[fo shizzle]

Originally Posted by Jonathan Herrera

To put one terribly wrong rumor to rest, Bill Leigh's departure from the staff had absolutely nothing to do with the Paul Chambers cover. Please read the back page of June '09 for the story.

We take A LOT of criticism (and kudos!), so I hope I'm not being oversensitive, but I get pretty bothered when the refrain echoed by GM60466 is put out there with no evidence. I don't know why Chuck Rainey, Jack Casady, and Jimmy Garrison are the particular touchstones of credibility, but regardless, we've done many different pieces on each of them, including multiple features, lessons, style studies, transcriptions, and analysis. We've also given the same treatment to hundreds of other players across the fame spectrum. Oh and glad you liked my Steve Swallow interview--that was probably my favorite artist-oriented experience since I started working here.

It's just incredibly frustrating to read: "IF you like Geddy or Victor or Stanley, they have it covered." when it in no way accurately represents what we do each month. SPOILER ALERT! To wit: the issue we're about to close includes Matt Freeman and Owen Biddle features, a Cliff Burton masterclass, a Tim Lefevbre masterclass, and a Fred Hammond full-song transcription. Plus, a bunch of other cool and interesting, hopefully unpredictable stuff.

As for the size, trust me, it's not by choice. The economy is brutal; ad revenue is down significantly. We're doing the best we can with limited options, and when you're an audited internationally distributed magazine with professional editorial, art, sales, and production staff, it's not cheap putting out each issue.

Hopefully the financial climate will get better; in the meantime, stay tuned for a totally redesigned website in the next month or so, and even more web-exclusive video and audio content.

Hey man, don't be bringing logic and factual data into this.... This is the internet!

As to the content, I don't know why you even acknowledge those complaints. Somebody's favorite will always be left out, somebody else is tired of seeing this guy, blah, blah, blah.

As for the size of the issues, has anybody picked up a copy of People lately? US Weekly? Everybody's fighting that fight. I'll bet some some very cool people, some good friends of yours have been downsized. Print media in general is under seige.... I have a good friend that writes for a local paper here. In the interest of keeping a job, he will write ANYTHING. He mainly has done the local music scene; he now also does a local collectible/antiques column. The other day I saw his byline over a story on grub infestation in the garden section!

Good luck, Jonathan. I know you guys need it. Keep reinventing!!

Parrish

[Snakeman1066]

I subscribe and though i agree with some of the comments made here...having worked in this industry (the now defunct Malibu Comics) I understand that "the magazine" is a business and money has to be made...

but with the alternative being no bass centric magaizine at all on the market, something is therefore better than nothing...

The UK "Bass Player Magazine" is about $12.00 to $15.00 an issue here in the U.S. (ouch) I have tried to get them to let me subscribe and have it shipped over and it isn't a whole lot cheaper that way either, but when you compare the two for content, the UK version is vastly superior IMHO...

[Gordon of Eden]

Hey Jonathan, I love that you monitor this site and I would guess others to see what the players of the world think.
Very cool that you have the facts to defend yourself when criticized un-justly and that you will take constructive criticism to heart.
Thanks for putting out an enjoyable magazine.

[Lazylion]

Originally Posted by Jonathan Herrera

The economy is brutal; ad revenue is down significantly. We're doing the best we can with limited options, and when you're an audited internationally distributed magazine with professional editorial, art, sales, and production staff, it's not cheap putting out each issue.
Hopefully the financial climate will get better...

Today I opened the latest issue of Rolling Stone, and a big nasty stinkin' perfume ad jumped out and bit me in the nose!

Man, I hate that!

Please, Mr. Herrera, don't ever let Bass Player sink that low.

Edit: and +1 to Gordon!

[ggunn]

Originally Posted by rodl2005

Well it HAS - at least in the last 3 issues I usually only buy 2 or 3 issues a year-as I know it's not good, but Stupidity got the better of me & I've bought the last 2 issues(which out here -latest issue is Phil Lesh cover) & it seems to KEEP GETTING WORSE?!?!? How can it??

I love Phil's playing but I hate that bad acid trip bass he plays. Wait! Is this the wrong forum for an "ugly bass" thread?

[()smoke()]

Originally Posted by Jonathan Herrera

Hey line6bassist,

Very sorry to hear that. PM your private email address, and I'll pass it along to our circulation manager. I'll make sure it gets resolved.

Jonathan Herrera
Senior Editor
BASS PLAYER

this is cool, and i just want to say that when i had similar issues with my subscription, i called in and promptly received the missing issues--they took care of it quickly

[rodl2005]

Hey Jonathan,
I DON'T mean to flame the mag 'generally' - as others have said- at $15 an issue(it's actually $15.95 at my local!!!) it's a darn expensive mag. & the economic climate has made -possibly $1 difference to the price out here. I understand that this is no doubt outta your hands. I ALSO find it great that YOU have responded here- This fact alone will keep me monitoring the mag. as it shows YOU have an interest in what us 'regular Joe's' are saying, & I thankyou for that.
The way I worded the initial post wasn't great of course-most of my posting suffers from this Of course it COULD get a WHOLE LOT WORSE. There are many things about the mag I do like a lot. As other say- the way it mentions unknown or lesser known players & interviews etc etc.. Heck - I wouldn't be buying it as I sometimes do if I didn't like it some!!

I DON'T think the fact that the latest issue of "People" mag(for example) is THIN is any reason that BASS PLAYER should be too tho.... ( am I missing something here- the 'one' p'raps?? )
I sincerely hope BASS PLAYER mag keeps going (if it is/was 'in trouble' I wish it nothing but good luck- again this MAY help push me to buy another issue in future) & hope it keeps doing the things in it I find good.
The fact it's SO expensive out here doesn't help at all!!! The fact that I have MANY issues of it sitting at home is testament to it doing SOMETHING right IMO.
So I probably should have called the orig.post/thread- I HOPE it doesn't.....get any worse. Will do. have done
It IS a shame it is $15.95 an issue here, & UK's "Bass Guitar" sells for $10.95. to help give you US guys a guide... our local guitar mag.(there aint a local bass one- hint hint..) sells for about $9.50.
Cheers,
Rod

[CharlieDog]

A bit off topic, but be thankful you're not looking at the guitar magazines. EVERY time I go to Barnes & Noble, I check the magazine rack to see which guitar magazine has a picture of Jimi with the words "Play Little Wing just like him!" or "Hendrix's secret tone REVEALED!!"

There's always at least one.