Which Magazine for Reliable Reviews?

Ole Rumblekat · #1 06-21-2010, 01:51 PM

I've read the TB reviews for "specialty" basses like Birdsong, Clement, James, Landing etc, and learned a lot. Now I'm looking for magazine reviews for these basses. What do you guys recommend?

Spinal Tapper · #2 06-21-2010, 01:56 PM

whats a magazine?

you'll find everything you need as far as reviews go on the internet, especially here on TB

mulchor · #3 06-21-2010, 01:56 PM

IMO/IME you'll never get a reliable review from a magazine. That's just cuz I think a reliable review means honestly pointing out the faults.

Molan · #4 06-21-2010, 01:58 PM

How about Tom Bowlus's Bassgear magazine?

Available online as a 'flip-book'

Some pretty thorough reviews there from what I've seen.

TheSuzie · #5 06-21-2010, 01:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mulchor

IMO/IME you'll never get a reliable review from a magazine. That's just cuz I think a reliable review means honestly pointing out the faults.

+1

Just follow the money.

mulchor · #6 06-21-2010, 02:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Molan

How about Tom Bowlus's Bassgear magazine?

Available online as a 'flip-book'

I've enjoyed what I read there, too.

http://www.bassgearmag.com/web/

More GAS-encouraging than critical, but that's typical for gear mags.

BartmanPDX · #7 06-21-2010, 03:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mulchor

IMO/IME you'll never get a reliable review from a magazine. That's just cuz I think a reliable review means honestly pointing out the faults.

+1 with the exception of Bass Gear Magazine, which is put together by some major gear-heads here who don't give a flip about making much money by selling out to advertisers.

The same is true of Home Theater magazines, which is why I stopped getting them despite my liking the pretty pictures which is all they were good for. At least bass mags sometimes have music as a redeeming value.

On TB though, people WILL point out flaws. You won't get that in most mags.

GregC · #8 06-21-2010, 04:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Molan

How about Tom Bowlus's Bassgear magazine?

Available online as a 'flip-book'

Some pretty thorough reviews there from what I've seen.

+1. I agree that TB gives you a pretty accurate picture--just make sure to search for a variety of different reviews/posts on a bass.

Also, check out Ed Friedland's videos on Youtube so you can hear how a bass sounds.
http://www.youtube.com/user/BassGuitarMag

countrybass007 · #9 06-21-2010, 07:09 PM

I think the British publication, BASS Guitar Magazine, has good reviews. They discuss all the different aspects of each instrument, and give their opinions, but they leave the ultimate decision up to the reader. I've been encouraged to look into several basses and amps I wouldn't have looked at otherwise.

tombowlus · #10 06-21-2010, 08:21 PM

Thanks for the kind words, folks!

BigOldHarry · #11 06-21-2010, 08:30 PM

Not BP - 90% of the time they just pimp for the companies who buy their ad space. Sad - they used to be legit...

Stick to on line sources... like HERE. I used to read Harmony Central, but since GC bought them I don't trust them one bit.

KJung · #12 06-22-2010, 05:27 AM

Magazines are useful for general information, but as most say above, for honest reviews, TB is a MUCH better source. You have to be careful of some brands' threads which end up being cheering sections, with the majority of posts by endorsers or employees of the company. However, for the most part, feedback and tone descriptions for hundreds of players with no particular agenda will always trump a magazine funded by add revenue from the companies/products they are reviewing.

refbassist · #13 06-22-2010, 05:36 AM

real reviews are based on experience not a business deal and no one here benefits from answering questions this's why TB is the first place i come to when i'm buying gear!

wavey davey · #14 07-13-2010, 03:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Molan

How about Tom Bowlus's Bassgear magazine?

Available online as a 'flip-book'

Some pretty thorough reviews there from what I've seen.

+1 for BassGearMag

also look at Ed Friedlands youtube channel of the same name - great reviews, thorough, but totally accessible.

tombowlus · #15 07-13-2010, 08:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wavey davey

also look at Ed Friedland's youtube channel of the same name - great reviews, thorough, but totally accessible.

Actually, Ed kept the YouTube channel from back when Guitar World had Bass Guitar Magazine (for whom Ed and I both used to write), so his YouTube channel is www.youtube.com/bassguitarmag.

The Bass Gear Magazine YouTube channel (to which Ed also contributes) is www.youtube.com/bassgearmagazine.

wavey davey · #16 07-13-2010, 08:31 AM

Thanks for sorting that out Tom - That'll teach me to pay attention (Don't want you to tae-kwon-do my a$$ into next year!!)

tombowlus · #17 07-13-2010, 08:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wavey davey

Thanks for sorting that out Tom - That'll teach me to pay attention (Don't want you to tae-kwon-do my a$$ into next year!!)

LOL!

wavey davey · #18 07-13-2010, 08:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tombowlus

LOL!

Tom Bowlus the -

dalkowski · #19 07-13-2010, 08:52 AM

You're soaking in it.

Jazzdogg · #20 07-13-2010, 09:10 AM

I've thoroughly enjoyed every issue of BassGear magazine (I'm a print subscriber), despite their lack of a publication schedule.

Any idea when issue #5 will be mailed, Tom?