gjones Posted July 5, 2012 Share Posted July 5, 2012 [quote name='The Dark Lord' timestamp='1341407701' post='1718464'] I've just searched this topic and can't find the word "Fender" in it anywhere? Go down the pub this weekend, and there is a better than even chance that the bass player in the band that you see will be playing a Fender (There. I've said it twice). Also, chances are, he/she won't be doing any slapping. The thing that puts me off bass guitar magazines is the strange bias towards exotic basses and slap bass players. Can we have lots of Fender stuff in the mag please and not much of these exotic players whom the average guy in the street doesn't know and couldn't identify. Oh yeah. Once last thing. Fender. [/quote] He has a point. Maybe the magazine is aspirational in a similiar way top gear is for cars i.e. it highlights basses (cars) that we can gaze at from afar but never actually afford. That's probably the reason I have very rarely read a copy. The ideas put forward of 'Pimp My Bass' and giving guys at the magazine a, 'Top Gear', quest to find the best bass for a limited amount of money (possibly £300/£400) new or secondhand would float my boat and get me spending my cash. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gjones Posted July 5, 2012 Share Posted July 5, 2012 [quote name='redstriper' timestamp='1341447305' post='1719360'] Sorry if this has already been suggested, but I would love you to do the following: Get a selection of Jazz basses in for review - high and low end Fenders, along with both cheap and expensive copies, like Squiers, Faridas, Laklands and Sadowskys. Then let reviewers compare them blindfold........ and no cheating! Then you could do the same with Precisions [/quote] Oh I like that! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sean Posted July 5, 2012 Share Posted July 5, 2012 [quote name='redstriper' timestamp='1341447305' post='1719360'] Sorry if this has already been suggested, but I would love you to do the following: Get a selection of Jazz basses in for review - high and low end Fenders, along with both cheap and expensive copies, like Squiers, Faridas, Laklands and Sadowskys. Then let reviewers compare them blindfold........ and no cheating! Then you could do the same with Precisions [/quote] +1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joel McIver Posted July 5, 2012 Author Share Posted July 5, 2012 (edited) Thanks for the feedback and welcome, everyone. I won’t hang around all day as I don’t want to give the impression that I only came here to nick your ideas, but I’ll be back tomorrow. > what about rotating the various schools that offer these course annually (ACM, BIMM, etc) so as to still cover the subject but avoid the annual repetition as hopefully their syllabuses vary a bit? Good idea. That will happen at some point. > Welcome to the Forum, and congratulations if the new Job was something you really wanted (im guessing it was) Thanks. It absolutely was. I’ve been a magazine contributor since 1996 and in all that time I have never wanted to edit any mag except BGM, simply because I’m a bass geek. > Hi Joel, what did you think of Slayer at ATP? I didn’t go! Seen ’em too many times, met and interviewed them endlessly. Which reminds me, I must get that Tom Araya cover feature sorted… > Something I see in Guitar magazines regularly is an in-depth article on the history of a particular manufacturer or instrument. I feel this would be a fantastic addition Agreed. We do this to a lesser extent with Essential FX and it would be easy to extend to basses/amps. > I don`t know if this has been suggested but how about a feature where you focus on one guy`s collection with lot`s of nice photo`s and some background about how they got the gear? Yes, great idea. > And to make it all clear, I don't actually dislike the feature. I would just like to see more of those girls and guys who actually do something unusual, have something [i]else[/i] to say. Noted. > You are a brave, brave, man! No, you lot have been extremely welcoming! > how about a "Me and my Bass feature? Yep. > is the heavily advertised and reviewed TC BG 250 combo really made in UK? I’ll check. > as previously mentioned, give three writers a budget of £300 to buy eg 'best bass for metal' or 'largest rig' and let them battle it out Definitely. > A series of articles showing a proper, scientific method to prove/disprove that wood has something to do with the tone of an electric bass guitar. One article rather than an entire series I think, but yes. > A 'debate' section, with two experts arguing about the topic of the month, eg 4 v 5 string, valve v SS, BO v NT, etc. etc. Good idea. > Get a selection of Jazz basses in for review - high and low end Fenders, along with both cheap and expensive copies, like Squiers, Faridas, Laklands and Sadowskys. Then let reviewers compare them blindfold........ and no cheating! Love this idea! > Maybe the magazine is aspirational in a similiar way top gear is for cars i.e. it highlights basses (cars) that we can gaze at from afar but never actually afford. No, that’s not the case. I’m not just spouting marketing-speak here: the mag has to cater for all tastes and budgets, and offer actual real-world solutions. The expensive basses look great, for sure, but without exception they are all practical, working instruments that any touring or studio musician can use. There is no space wasted in the magazine on guitar porn for its own sake. Edited July 5, 2012 by Joel McIver Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassTractor Posted July 7, 2012 Share Posted July 7, 2012 Hi Joel, Just wanna welcome you and say I'm very impressed with your introduction and responses. If I had been in The Queen's Own Country, I'd subscribe immediately. (Impressed with BC's input as well, btw.) All the best with your new job, and please stay on BC! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bassmurf Posted July 7, 2012 Share Posted July 7, 2012 Hi Joel, Welcome to BC, enjoyed the latest issue of BGM - keep up the good work! Cheers Dan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
such Posted July 7, 2012 Share Posted July 7, 2012 I just bought the new issue, and I like what I see so far... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big_Stu Posted July 7, 2012 Share Posted July 7, 2012 [quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1341409655' post='1718521'] Actually can we not have any more Fender than you already have. As has already been pointed out Fender only really make two basses. And if you want to find out what those two basses are like you can go to to a Fender dealer and try them for yourself. It's easy and you don't need a magazine to tell you want to think. Unless they start doing something radically new, one Fender review per year should be sufficient. And Fender basses aren't not as ubiquitous as you think. At the gigs that I go to, a Fender bass is a rarity... [/quote] ^THIS - in spades! Pages of Fenders and/or Fender clones of any level of build is what turns me off buying a magazine when having the WH Smiths flick-thru. Can you actually make this a law of the BGM staff's writing? If you do I promise to take a sub for the rest of my natural life. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silentbob Posted July 8, 2012 Share Posted July 8, 2012 I'd love to see a "Mod Of The Month" feature where a reader could submit their own modified bass for review, along with a discription of the modding process. Could also add a small how-to guide each month showing how to carry out a different mod to your bass. This could be done by buying a cheap ass piece of crap bass, modding it over the course of twelve months, then giving it away to a reader in a comp. Also, can we have a "Skankdelvar's Thought Of The Month" feature. The guy's posts on here are brilliant! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mornats Posted July 8, 2012 Share Posted July 8, 2012 Welcome Joel! Now you're on Basschat listening to us I'm gonna start buying the mag. It sounds like it's going to get great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Salt on your Bass? Posted July 10, 2012 Share Posted July 10, 2012 (edited) Hi Joel, im a new subscriber from 6 months back. I really like a lot of the suggestions above that youll be looking into. I think theyll massively improve an already decent read. My tuppence would be rather than the "Bass in the USA" section, to cover bass across different countries. Other countries exist outside of the US, with equally or more interesting bass scenes. Im sure theres journos elsewhere prepared to chip in. Im looking forward to the evolution over the next few months, and thanks for opening the floor. Cheers Edited July 10, 2012 by Salt on your Bass? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Commando Jack Posted July 10, 2012 Share Posted July 10, 2012 (edited) [quote name='redstriper' timestamp='1341447305' post='1719360'] Sorry if this has already been suggested, but I would love you to do the following: Get a selection of Jazz basses in for review - high and low end Fenders, along with both cheap and expensive copies, like Squiers, Faridas, Laklands and Sadowskys. Then let reviewers compare them blindfold........ and no cheating! Then you could do the same with Precisions [/quote] +1 again. It could be expanded to an every-now-and-again feature where basses battle it out. And of course don't leave it to fender clones, what about Stingray-alikes and Rickenfakers? Also, I think that reviews or buying guides to peripherals related to recording and live sound would be interesting. Things like wireless systems, IEM, DI boxes, bass friendly audio interfaces etc. The likes of Sound on sound would review this stuff every now and again but they are rarely for bass. Of course this is something that a lot of people couldn't care less about, but touching on it sparingly would be useful, and the back-catalog that you build up would become a useful reference (esp. good for driving people to your website ) Edited July 10, 2012 by Commando Jack Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bertbass Posted July 10, 2012 Share Posted July 10, 2012 +1 for a great suggestion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mornats Posted July 10, 2012 Share Posted July 10, 2012 [quote name='Commando Jack' timestamp='1341914362' post='1725939'] +1 again. It could be expanded to an every-now-and-again feature where basses battle it out. And of course don't leave it to fender clones, what about Stingray-alikes and Rickenfakers? Also, I think that reviews or buying guides to peripherals related to recording and live sound would be interesting. Things like wireless systems, IEM, DI boxes, bass friendly audio interfaces etc. The likes of Sound on sound would review this stuff every now and again but they are rarely for bass. Of course this is something that a lot of people couldn't care less about, but touching on it sparingly would be useful, and the back-catalog that you build up would become a useful reference (esp. good for driving people to your website ) [/quote] +1 to this and +1 to the quoted point too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xilddx Posted July 10, 2012 Share Posted July 10, 2012 [quote name='Commando Jack' timestamp='1341914362' post='1725939'] +1 again. It could be expanded to an every-now-and-again feature where basses battle it out. And of course don't leave it to fender clones, what about Stingray-alikes and Rickenfakers? Also, I think that reviews or buying guides to peripherals related to recording and live sound would be interesting. Things like wireless systems, IEM, DI boxes, bass friendly audio interfaces etc. The likes of Sound on sound would review this stuff every now and again but they are rarely for bass. Of course this is something that a lot of people couldn't care less about, but touching on it sparingly would be useful, and the back-catalog that you build up would become a useful reference (esp. good for driving people to your website ) [/quote] The Rickenfakers test will go down like a lead walrus mate Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yorks5stringer Posted July 10, 2012 Share Posted July 10, 2012 [quote name='silddx' timestamp='1341941738' post='1726703'] The Rickenfakers test will go down like a lead walrus mate [/quote] Their (Rickenbakers) legal team will close down BGM in 30 seconds! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WalMan Posted July 10, 2012 Share Posted July 10, 2012 (edited) [quote name='seashell' timestamp='1341432814' post='1719062'] Come to think of it, I have never seen a copy in WH Smith. I assume it only goes to certain branches. But I dont recall ever seeing one in Birmingham city centre even. [/quote]In Guildford the bass mags are tucked on the bottom display with the Guitar mags, but right at the back & virtually invisible. Like the Fender idea, but that's mainly because I suddenly find myself fancying a P of some sort. Spent years working up to the G&L's, then picked up the Tanglewater at LBGS and am loving the passive again after all these years. How about following a bitsa build, putting together what you hope to be "the" bass from parts. I suppose we have Build Diaries here that tick that box at the mo. The suggested Blind tests would be good, similarly "Best for...." A few years back now I spent ages looking round for a new bass, trying all the current basses within my then price bracket, and at the end of all of it the best I tried was a Squier Jazz Edited July 10, 2012 by WalMan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BottomE Posted July 10, 2012 Share Posted July 10, 2012 Not read all the posts but welcome matey if you haven't already been scared off. Full power to you for coming on the forum. Respect where its due. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redstriper Posted July 10, 2012 Share Posted July 10, 2012 I think blind tests where the reviewer doesn't know the make or value of the instrument would be a great idea, if you can find someone brave enough to do it - maybe someone who actually is blind. As soon as anyone sees the name on the headstock and the price tag, it colours their view and it would be very interesting to see what happens without that bias. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the_skezz Posted July 10, 2012 Share Posted July 10, 2012 Not much of a magazine reader but thought I'd throw in a 'Good luck' while I'm here Looking through some of the ideas in this thread I'm quite impressed, as well as with your willingness to ask for suggestions and keep in touch with the audience. I'll be sure to keep an eye out for BGM in future, if you publish even some of these ideas you've got a sure buy from me! Good to have you on the forum Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shockwave Posted July 10, 2012 Share Posted July 10, 2012 One of the biggest problems I find in bass guitar magazines is that the same bass players are interviewed all the time. Usually either virtuoso's or bassists in large bands. I would like to see some more "Alternative" bassists being interviewed. Such as Wilhelm Screams bass player Brian J Robinson (Who is definitely no slouch). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xilddx Posted July 10, 2012 Share Posted July 10, 2012 [quote name='Shockwave' timestamp='1341947530' post='1726900'] One of the biggest problems I find in bass guitar magazines is that the same bass players are interviewed all the time. Usually either virtuoso's or bassists in large bands. I would like to see some more "Alternative" bassists being interviewed. Such as Wilhelm Screams bass player Brian J Robinson (Who is definitely no slouch). [/quote] Wouldn't it be nice if people were actually interested in these bassists and bought the magazine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dc2009 Posted July 10, 2012 Share Posted July 10, 2012 I used to get a subscription a few years back as a recurring Christmas present. I'd consider getting it again, but it really needs to move digital (if it hasn't already). I read my Economist subscription on the tube on my phone, I would do the same with a BGM, especially if I could pre-download it to read without internet. If it had sound clips etc, then that'd be even better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shockwave Posted July 10, 2012 Share Posted July 10, 2012 [quote name='silddx' timestamp='1341951499' post='1727006'] Wouldn't it be nice if people were actually interested in these bassists and bought the magazine. [/quote] Maybe putting them in the magazine would make people interested in them? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xilddx Posted July 10, 2012 Share Posted July 10, 2012 [quote name='Shockwave' timestamp='1341951902' post='1727020'] Maybe putting them in the magazine would make people interested in them? [/quote] They already are, albeit in a much smaller way than Geddy, Flea, Mark King or Alain Caron. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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