• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Bass Player magazine

woo10

woo10

Feb 22, 2004
358
7
#1
I bought December's issue today from Hastings, and man, the magazine is soooo thin! Any thinner than this and I wouldn't be able to see it from the side. It's only 66 pages:eek::eek:. My latest Geddy issue was 96 pages, so it's almost a 30% reduction.:bawl:

Is it the sign of the times, or a trend? I haven't bought it for some time, but I still think it's a very good mag.
 
#4
...still, it's a Jamerson-jammed issue.
One of the better "main" features they have ever done.
I'm a major fan of Bass Player (I grew up in the time when no "bass mag" existed; so don't take it for granted)...on occasion, I sound off, too...in this case, "less may be more".
 
#5
I dont know if I can spare 6.50 euro... The magazines always have something interesting, but I don't know if it's worth it. I asked the store clerk what they do with the back copies, and they are told to send them back.... The guys at Bass Player are pretty tight.

I mean, I've seen shops PILE old unsold magazines (music or otherwise), and encourage people to take them, if not, they tear them to shreds and throw them away.
 
#9
I haven't seen the current issue of BP, but I am curious if the same thing is happening as in my other mags. The size is getting thinner, true, but the ads are actually fewer as well. I am still getting almost the same amount of actual content. A little less, yes, but at least it is not just features that are being pulled out.

I think this is going to be the case for a lot of print media for a while. Lots of companies are lowering their advertising costs, as it is the one area that they can control the most since production costs are up. There is a reason that I also read online mags as well as print media. (I can't ditch the hard copies. I love them):cool:
 
#10
woo10 said:
I bought December's issue today from Hastings, and man, the magazine is soooo thin! Any thinner than this and I wouldn't be able to see it from the side. It's only 66 pages:eek::eek:. My latest Geddy issue was 96 pages, so it's almost a 30% reduction.:bawl:

Is it the sign of the times, or a trend? I haven't bought it for some time, but I still think it's a very good mag.
Click to expand...

I have a subscription, and this complaint was posted in their mail bag page, a few months ago. Jon Herrera, the Editor and Chief basically said that ad revenues are down, forcing them to cut down their articles.

My question is, what happened to Bass Guitar World? I liked their magazie too, because they gave it a different spin.
 
#11
I suscribe to bass player magazine on august 28th, i still haven't received any magazine.

I contacted them twice since, they always answer the same, please wait, it can take between 15 and 20 weeks to get the magazines.

I had to buy the holidays issue, the december issue and i wanted to but i won't buy the recording tips issue that just came out.

On august 28th, i also suscribe to bass guitar magazine UK. a lot more pages, many other brand reviews too... I received it on the first week of september and it was shipped from UK.

Bass player must be shipped from Mars!!!

I just sent an email asking for my money back....
 
#13
bassgod76 said:
I have a subscription, and this complaint was posted in their mail bag page, a few months ago. Jon Herrera, the Editor and Chief basically said that ad revenues are down, forcing them to cut down their articles.

My question is, what happened to Bass Guitar World? I liked their magazie too, because they gave it a different spin.
Click to expand...

Guitar World in general was always a good read too. Have'nt read anything lately but I too have not seen any Bass Guitar Worlds on the rack.

Amen to this whole thread. What little mag you get with Bass Player is mostly commercials or reviews of new gear.:mad:
 
#14
Paul262 said:
I mean... Why DO people buy magazines? I'm not criticizing, I've got a bunch myself, but I can find anything I want on the internet for free of course. I guess, it's the luxury of having one to carry around and read whenever.
Click to expand...

In my case, +1 to this. I occasionally read through BP when Im at Barnes & Noble or Borders, but there isnt anything in there that you couldnt find out on the internet or that you will find out eventually. And, the ads get on my nerves (even though I like gear porn as much as the next guy), though Muscle & Fitness has them beat by a galaxy in that department! I think there are only 3 pages of content in that magazine, the rest are ads. :rolleyes:
 
#15
southernrocker said:
Well, I'm glad I didn'd renew. That rag isn't fit to wipe your @$$ with.
Click to expand...

Times are tough for all print media and if we want this "rag" to still be here when the economy returns, we need to be a little more understanding. I still look forward to each months issue and the wealth of info within, and yes I will subscribe as long as I have the cash and the mag is available.
DRoot
 
#16
jgroh said:
In my case, +1 to this. I occasionally read through BP when Im at Barnes & Noble or Borders, but there isnt anything in there that you couldnt find out on the internet or that you will find out eventually. And, the ads get on my nerves (even though I like gear porn as much as the next guy), though Muscle & Fitness has them beat by a galaxy in that department! I think there are only 3 pages of content in that magazine, the rest are ads. :rolleyes:
Click to expand...

The only reason I subscribe to BP is because I need reading material while doing a number 2.
 
#17
bassgod76 said:
The only reason I subscribe to BP is because I need reading material while doing a number 2.
Click to expand...

That is a 100% legitimate answer, no, I'm not being sarcastic! There is a lot of down-time when sitting on the can!



Yeah, there are too many ads for my liking... Interviews of players I've never heard of, although I've been introduced to a few classics like James Jamerson which I wouldn't of known about hadn't been for BP. But I mean...

Interviewing a player from some Emo/metalcore band... Utterly stupid.... I nearly had a heart attack when they interviewed Nicky Sixx, and he kept mentioning that it's pointless learning bass professionally... Urgh... The article was followed by a Sig. Nicky Sixx Epiphone Thunderbird advert... :mad:
 
#19
I'm reluctant to criticize B.P. mag. I've been a subscriber since '95, and have learned a lot and enjoyed it immensely. I'll continue to subscribe because the subscription price is fair, and I can always learn something from each issue.

That being said, this month's issue is the thinnest I think I've seen over those past 14 or 15 years. I keep all my back issues standing up on a bookshelf in order by date. When I saw this issue, my first thought was, "Well, I can't even READ the date on this one" (because it was so thin that it wouldn't fit on the spine).

But it's still one of the few publications geared specifically for us as bass players. I believe that Jonathan Herrera and the rest of the staff are doing all that they can do to provide a quality product for us. I'll continue to support it.
 
#20
Bass Player is terrible.

If the gear reviews aren't totally influenced by the manufacturers then they are poorer writers than previously thought. Articles are only glowing insofar as professionals are concerned, and the record reviews are just pitiful.

The whole magazine looks like one big ad. Reading it will only promote want for equipment that no one really needs. I believe Talk Bass refers to this--unfortunately I might add--as GAS.

Less time in magazines and forums and more time with your bass. Who doesn't need this?
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back