Anyone Else Disenchanted with Bass Player Magazine?

[ProgRocker]

Brian, I've seen Bass Player get smaller in size, and thinner in page count in recent years. I've been reading BP since the early 90's. I've seen a lot of changes. Some good, others not so much.

I haven't been impressed with the most recent changes. Rather than write in and complain, I just don't buy it unless something really intrigues me. As I mentioned previously, I read several bass publications online that are free, and also frequent No Treble and other Bass-centric sites.

You guys have to realize how many other options bass players have now. I don't know that being defensive / snarky helps your cause.

Just a thought.

 

[ProgRocker]

I used to read Bassics, too. That mag was cool, especially because for a while it was the only alternative. I've seen Bass Guitar Magazine, too.

I just don't pick up magazines anymore.

I used to read Bassics all the time. I haven't seen it in a long time. I guess it went the way of Musician magazine. Sad.

 

[zon6c-f]

Will Lee is on cover of latest B P !!

Great article; insightful.

 

[JimK]

While I'm a big fan of Frank Zappa, and am often entertained by the things he's had to say, I don't feel this particular quote applies to the conversation.

...was not my intention.
Was only responding to an earlier post with the correct quote & source.
(Mainly 'cause I had just recently read that specific autobio).

(EDIT: Re-visit Post #2 of this thread).

 

[Jim Nazium]

Brian, I've seen Bass Player get smaller in size, and thinner in page count in recent years. I've been reading BP since the early 90's. I've seen a lot of changes. Some good, others not so much.

Same here, I've been a reader and off-and-on subscriber since the early 1990s. I remember when there were eight issues a year.

In the last few years (or maybe several years), BP has not only gotten thinner, but the ratio of content to advertising has gone way down. Also, within the articles, the ratio of writing to illustration has gone way down - the gear review (or interview, or whatever) is much shorter and the pictures are bigger.

I realize that print media is a difficult business and advertising rates are lower than they used to be. To make ends meet, the magazine has to sell more ads and pay for less writing. But to me, as a customer, it's no longer worth paying $6.99 for something I can read cover to cover in about five minutes.

Brian, if you think this post is uninformed flaming, well, I'm sorry. But that's the way I see it, and you know that old saying about "the customer"...

 

[Zooberwerx]

I get better info here on TalkBass. There's some real talent lurking around the forums...and some real garbage, too. I like to think I'm able to discern between the two.

Riis

 

[BluesMan845]

Same here, I've been a reader and off-and-on subscriber since the early 1990s. I remember when there were eight issues a year.

In the last few years (or maybe several years), BP has not only gotten thinner, but the ratio of content to advertising has gone way down. Also, within the articles, the ratio of writing to illustration has gone way down - the gear review (or interview, or whatever) is much shorter and the pictures are bigger.

I realize that print media is a difficult business and advertising rates are lower than they used to be. To make ends meet, the magazine has to sell more ads and pay for less writing. But to me, as a customer, it's no longer worth paying $6.99 for something I can read cover to cover in about five minutes.

Brian, if you think this post is uninformed flaming, well, I'm sorry. But that's the way I see it, and you know that old saying about "the customer"...

Not that you don't have some valid points here but his comments about uninformed flaming were directed at the clearly uninformed or trolls that were posting in the earlier part of this thread accusing BP magazine of only covering a handful of the same bass players in every issue year after year. That is nonsense and anyone that says otherwise is either trolling or talking out of their lower orifice.

If you were to sub you could get an entire year for less than $20 so it greatly reduces your per issue cost of 6.99 ( if that is what you're paying ) and this greatly increases the value to you.... Even if you can breeze through every printed page in 5 minutes

 

[ProgRocker]

...was not my intention.
Was only responding to an earlier post with the correct quote & source.
(Mainly 'cause I had just recently read that specific autobio).

(EDIT: Re-visit Post #2 of this thread).

My apologies, you're correct. I should have directed that to the original poster.

 

[JimK]

...no problema.
On a tangent, in Zappa's autobio, he had some things to say about those that choose to play bass.
What would he say about an entire magazine devoted to bass?!?!

 

[ProgRocker]

...no problema.
On a tangent, in Zappa's autobio, he had some things to say about those that choose to play bass.
What would he say about an entire magazine devoted to bass?!?!

He'd probably have a good laugh. George Carlin once did a bit on how anything engaged in by more than two people has a magazine dedicated to it.

How true!

 

[Kukulkan61]

Well fellow Thumpers I've decided not to renew my BP subscription, I get better informed on this great forum than the magazine,and I am gonna just use the money that I would spend on here to become a supporting member...

 

[GrayHatBass]

I subscribe electronically.

You are right, it is getting very weak.

Bowlus' Bass Gear Mag is great and and it is full of detailed info (sometimes too much for me, but that is cool).

I really like Bass Guitar Magazine (Britain). I also subscribe electronically and it blows Bass Player away IMO. Waaayyyyy more articles on theory and technique and just a much better mag IMO. As an example, they have a 2-3 page column specific to bass chords... Every month.

Now I must subscribe to the UK's own.

That is awesome.