Jump to content
Why become a member? ×
  • advertisement_alt
  • advertisement_alt
  • advertisement_alt

Do you subscribe to any Bass magazines?


Recommended Posts

7 hours ago, Dood said:

 

 

A genuine thanks; I need to hear what viewers are actually thinking. I thought that there might be a place for reviews that go in to detail and maybe teach something on the way (hence why I will demonstrate what a semi-parametric is and how it works. for example) but, it sounds like there is a balance to be had and a few things I can learn on the way.

I create all of the material myself, I don't have an editing team, a producer or anything, so I'm still on a learning curve which is incredibly labour intensive along with finding time to teach, be a professional musician and a single parent to my lil demanding kids. 

Thank you and I welcome more views. 

I think there is also the room for in-depth bass reviews too. Colin over at The Guitaristas goes into all sorts of nerdy detail and manages to attract an audience. I've watched a lot of really long videos that are basically the same format. Intro over a jam with a looper, what is this thing/history lesson/could be nonsense, jam with looper, take it apart, jam with looper, pickup impedances & neck profile, jam with looper, go through the positions, sum it up, outro jam with looper. 

 

I have previously watched the linked Spector review. It really did showcase the bass well, but it almost felt a little too formal. And thumbnails are everything in the YouTube game. As much as it might be a bit soul destroying, sometimes the cringiest thumbnails are what get the clicks in the first place. It's really hard to find the formula that works for you effort wise and also draws people in. If you want to keep doing it, I really do hope you find your magic formula. 

 

Slight sidetrack, but I think a part of the problem that has always plagued bass content in any form of media is that there is just a lot fewer bassists. So, companies are perhaps slower at developing products for bassists, meaning there isn't as much content for magazines, websites, etc. The BGM website feels like proof of that. Most of the content on the front page is more than two months old. There are even two articles from 2022. There isn't enough new content there to get people going back to it. 

 

And I know some members here are very much exceptions to this rule, but I tend to think that maybe bassists might be more settled in our gear choices than guitarists (perhaps due to less gear to choose from in the first place?). Most of the guitarists in the bands I've been in have gone through 2 or 3 guitars where as I've pretty much stuck to the same bass and maybe added a pedal for my tenure in the band. Heck, some bassists start on a P bass and they're just sorted forever. 

  • Thanks 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...
On 11/01/2024 at 10:48, fretmeister said:

 

Honestly - if the magazine wants the followers / views then it needs to be doing daily content or at least every other day, like Bass The World does.

At the moment your mag seems to be doing about 1 vid per month. That will never ever get any traction. Daily content is the holy grail for gaining followers.

 

And the vids need to be shorter and have faster pacing. Nobody needs EQ stage testing that takes 40 seconds per knob, on it's own, out of context of any actual music.

 

Dan - I like your vids, but I have to say watching something on BTW or The Bass Channel and then coming to yours is like moving from Tigger off his Ritalin to Neil from the Young Ones when he's on Ritalin and feeling tired. You never seem to be actually excited about anything and you deliver every line in a very monotone fashion. You need to be as much of a draw as the gear itself is.

 

Watch the very early BTW vids and Gregor is monotone / wooden and dull to watch, compare those to the new ones. Now he's released his personality and he's got 350K subs.

 

Let your personality out of the box!

 

On 11/01/2024 at 11:24, jrixn1 said:

 

+1!  Up the pace and/or edit more leanly.  E.g. I jumped in randomly to the above video: from 3:49-3:59 you inform us that you're about to flip the bass over, and then you indeed go ahead and flip the bass over 🤷‍♂️ That entire bit should be cut out.  You're an experienced reviewer and when you do say something it is interesting - but I'm not going to commit to watching a 10-minute video knowing it'll only have about five minutes of actual content.

 

On 11/01/2024 at 12:53, Rayman said:

The average attention span for a video (I know because I had an art related channel) is about 10 seconds. Many of those initial clicks have already moved on after 10 seconds. It’s a relatively small number of enthusiasts who stick around for longer, and most of those viewers don’t watch all the way to the end of the video.

 

It’s a cutthroat game, making long form content, and as said above, Gregor Fris has got it nailed with Bass The World.

 

The world is so fast and instant now. It’s frankly astounding to me that print is still a thing when it comes to consumer product information.

 

You asked! We delivered! As it happens, shortly after my post, a day or so I guess, the pot got stirred at BGM HQ. We have a new 'digital guy' on board and already things are starting to look so much better. Thumbnails are now a thing, new stings and music are being created and there's a whole bunch of new stuff on the way!

 

I've also taken on the comments in a positive way and, although the two reviews that are on their way now were recorded before this chat, I've been taking a few "lessons" from some public speaking geniuses that I hope will improve my delivery and make my videos more engaging with a better pace.

 

I will keep checking in BassChat, because I do give a sh*t and frankly, we've had a relationship here longer than any romantic one in my life. Jeez, you get less for murder, yahda yahda yahda! 

 

Oh and I still need you to share my reviews and posts, positively comment on my BGM videos, please and thank you! 

  • Like 4
Link to comment
Share on other sites

On 11/01/2024 at 10:51, Dood said:

No one has mentioned Bass Gear Magazine again! I've been on board the magazine for a little while now and shoot all my reviews from my own studio here in Blighty freelance. I've a long list of really great gear to get through already and we've only just started the year, It'd be REALLY great to have more subs and, just more of you reading my reviews! 

 

Genuine question though, as I'm busting my b***s to create high quality content... why is no one seeing it or sharing it? I post long threads here with all my review links in, so there's little effort on the part of the reader required to access them, but there doesn't seem to be much feedback or replies to my posts? 

Maybe I'm doing it all wrong and I should be doing slap bass ego trips, lots of shouting and stupid click-bait? lol! - It's worth noting that I don't get paid per click or by advertisers or brands, so follows, likes and clicks are not so I can earn extra money, it's because I want to be out there earning exposure dollars (said no working bassist ever lol but in this case, it's true. I DO want to be on everyones 'top reviewers' list!!) 

 

Whilst you're here, please subscribe to my own YouTube Channel where this year I'll be posting high def shorts of my reviews.

 

Example review here:- https://www.bassgearmag.com/bassic-review-spector-euro4-lt-bass/  You can sign up for the free subscription newsletter at the bottom of the review linked here.

 

 

You need a tittle like "I reviewed this Spector bass, and you won't believe what happened next...!!!", then a thumbnail with your face showing an idiotic caricatured grimace and an image of the bass in question next to it with several big red arrows pointing at the bass!

 

That's how a YouTube video is done professionally!

 

Edited by Baloney Balderdash
  • Haha 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

On 21/01/2024 at 21:21, Dood said:

 

 

 

You asked! We delivered! As it happens, shortly after my post, a day or so I guess, the pot got stirred at BGM HQ. We have a new 'digital guy' on board and already things are starting to look so much better. Thumbnails are now a thing, new stings and music are being created and there's a whole bunch of new stuff on the way!

 

I've also taken on the comments in a positive way and, although the two reviews that are on their way now were recorded before this chat, I've been taking a few "lessons" from some public speaking geniuses that I hope will improve my delivery and make my videos more engaging with a better pace.

 

I will keep checking in BassChat, because I do give a sh*t and frankly, we've had a relationship here longer than any romantic one in my life. Jeez, you get less for murder, yahda yahda yahda! 

 

Oh and I still need you to share my reviews and posts, positively comment on my BGM videos, please and thank you! 

 

 

Excellent.

 

Another thing to try - Fiverr.

 

There are loads of people learning their trades on there as well as pros. If you shoot a demo you might find you can get someone on Fiverr to edit it into a punchy 5 minute version for a fee of £20. Complete with graphics and god knows what else.

 

While they do that, you are already filming the next one.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

On 11/01/2024 at 09:51, Dood said:

No one has mentioned Bass Gear Magazine again! I've been on board the magazine for a little while now and shoot all my reviews from my own studio here in Blighty freelance. I've a long list of really great gear to get through already and we've only just started the year, It'd be REALLY great to have more subs and, just more of you reading my reviews! 

 

Genuine question though, as I'm busting my b***s to create high quality content... why is no one seeing it or sharing it? I post long threads here with all my review links in, so there's little effort on the part of the reader required to access them, but there doesn't seem to be much feedback or replies to my posts? 

Maybe I'm doing it all wrong and I should be doing slap bass ego trips, lots of shouting and stupid click-bait? lol! - It's worth noting that I don't get paid per click or by advertisers or brands, so follows, likes and clicks are not so I can earn extra money, it's because I want to be out there earning exposure dollars (said no working bassist ever lol but in this case, it's true. I DO want to be on everyones 'top reviewers' list!!) 

 

Whilst you're here, please subscribe to my own YouTube Channel where this year I'll be posting high def shorts of my reviews.

 

Example review here:- https://www.bassgearmag.com/bassic-review-spector-euro4-lt-bass/  You can sign up for the free subscription newsletter at the bottom of the review linked here.

 

 

I like your content on the Bass Gear Magazine channel.  I'm not quite sure why I hadn't subscribed to it - situation now corrected.  I can get "entertainment" on loads of other channels so I quite like the change to a little drier with some education.  Having said that, I can see that if a channel is lacking "entertainment" regardless of how informative it is, subscribers may be lower than one a more entertaining channel.

 

I'd always struggled to find your own channel - I've just discovered it was because A) I was splitting your name and spelling your surname with 1 "L" [my surname is oft misspelt too 😃 ]  B) I'm less competent than I thought with YouTube's search facility.

 

You once did a video on a white Maruszczyk Ellwood which I think is up for sale at The Bass Gallery.  I nearly went up to try it due to your review - train times and a Rickenbacker purchase are the reasons I didn't. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

On 11/01/2024 at 10:30, JohnDaBass said:

I haven't subscribed to a printed magazine since Beat Instrumental closed, used to pay the local newsagent up front to get me my copy.

P.S. Probably the young BassChatters have never heard of Beat Instrumental, which along with Bell's catalogue were the gear Bibles back in the Day.

 

Remember the free 'Making Music' magazine? 

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

On 21/01/2024 at 21:21, Dood said:

 

 

 

You asked! We delivered! As it happens, shortly after my post, a day or so I guess, the pot got stirred at BGM HQ. We have a new 'digital guy' on board and already things are starting to look so much better. Thumbnails are now a thing, new stings and music are being created and there's a whole bunch of new stuff on the way!

 

I've also taken on the comments in a positive way and, although the two reviews that are on their way now were recorded before this chat, I've been taking a few "lessons" from some public speaking geniuses that I hope will improve my delivery and make my videos more engaging with a better pace.

 

I will keep checking in BassChat, because I do give a sh*t and frankly, we've had a relationship here longer than any romantic one in my life. Jeez, you get less for murder, yahda yahda yahda! 

 

Oh and I still need you to share my reviews and posts, positively comment on my BGM videos, please and thank you! 

 

 

What I always found useful/interesting was when the reviewer would gig the gear. 

I appreciate this might not always be possible for you.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I always thought ‘off the rack’ gear reviews would be good, i.e go to a big shop and try a bass that came from the factory and no one has had opportunity to pick the best one or tweak it before sending to be reviewed.

 

I bought bass magazines for decades and the reviews were always very positive to keep advertisers and sponsors happy I’d guess. I would love for someone to do a review and say it was an absolute mess of an instrument, give it a good slating if it deserved it, and hold the companies accountable for poor QC.

 

As it’s stands we soon hear about crap basses on here or other forums. Look at the slating the budget Sadowsky’s got.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

On 27/01/2024 at 22:04, NJE said:

I always thought ‘off the rack’ gear reviews would be good, i.e go to a big shop and try a bass that came from the factory and no one has had opportunity to pick the best one or tweak it before sending to be reviewed.

 

I bought bass magazines for decades and the reviews were always very positive to keep advertisers and sponsors happy I’d guess. I would love for someone to do a review and say it was an absolute mess of an instrument, give it a good slating if it deserved it, and hold the companies accountable for poor QC.

 

As it’s stands we soon hear about crap basses on here or other forums. Look at the slating the budget Sadowsky’s got.

Well, I don't consider a bad setup a flaw.

 

Just because a bass has a bad setup it can still be an amazing instrument, so I don't think this would really give a realistic review of basses.

 

It's adjustable for a reason and strings can be changed for a reason and this is two things I am going to do anyway, regardless of price tag or quality, to suit my personal preferences.

 

Given an instrument a new set of great strings and a proper setup is as far as I m concerned the best possible pre requirements for a realistic and fair review.

 

Reviewing the actual instrument, rather than the setup or strings.

 

Edited by Baloney Balderdash
Link to comment
Share on other sites

1 hour ago, Baloney Balderdash said:

Well, I don't consider a bad setup a flaw.

 

Just because a bass has a bad setup it can still be an amazing instrument, so I don't think this would really give a realistic review of basses.

 

It's adjustable for a reason and strings can be changed for a reason and this is two things I am going to do anyway, regardless of price tag or quality, to suit my personal preferences.

 

Given an instrument a new set of great strings and a proper setup is as far as I m concerned the best possible pre requirements for a realistic and fair review.'

 

Reviewing the actual instrument, rather than the setup or strings.

 


I completely agree with you, I have a Harley Benton that plays great because I set it up and put good strings on it, but I mentioned picking the best one as well.

 

Given some of the relatively expensive basses I have played and owned with bad finishing issues, misaligned bridges, bad neck pockets, and shocking fretwork, I still think it would be an interesting idea to review an instrument where someone hasn’t had the opportunity to cherry pick a prime specimen from several identical basses, and in addition, potentially do some additional setting up.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...
3 hours ago, Bass Review Magazine said:

Bass Review Magazine just launched issue 1 and is getting good feedback from the Bass Community on social channels. 
https://bassreviewmagazine.com (US) and https://bassreview.co.uk (UK) Free Ernie Ball Strings until 31st March 2024 when you subscribe too! 

Just subscribed to Bass Review.

Really looking forward to receiving the first issue.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

It must be 30 years since I read a magazine on any subject, never gave taking out a subscription a thought either.

Never bothered with Reddit but I do check in here/TalkBass/Bassic.de/OnlyBass on a daily basis. 

Nor am I one for bass gear videos.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

On 11/01/2024 at 14:54, Dan Dare said:

I think readership of magazines and viewing of magazine-type YT channels and similar depends on where people are in their journey. When I were a lad and it was all fields round 'ere, I devoured magazines, articles and anything else I find to help me learn. Now I'm ancient and reasonably satisfied with the gear I own and the knowledge I have, I only read/watch them if I'm thinking of buying something and want to get the lowdown on it. Either that, or I might come across something new (to me) musically and wish to pick up tips on technique or add to my knowledge (such as learning what a semi-parametric is and how it works) to help me get to grips with it.

 

Very much this.

 

Also the problem with video reviews (and tutorials) is that you can't skim-read them to find that one piece of information you need. I'm very reluctant to sit through minutes of introductions and the presenter telling me to like and subscribe and then the over-long "content" in order to qualify for YouTube's monetisation program, and sometimes after all that it doesn't even cover the information I am after. I could probably skim-read the written content of the average 10 minute video in under 30 seconds to find whether it contained what I needed or not.

 

It also doesn't help that the "presenters" have either an image best suited for radio, or a voice that should be heard, and won't have considered the idea of writing a script first. Nothing puts me off a video quicker than hearing the phrase "I don't know". It's not as though these videos are being created live. Cut; and go and find out, and then come back with the information. It's as simple as that!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

On 11/01/2024 at 15:49, musicbassman said:

Bass players seem to fall into two camps - there are those whose equipment seems to be more important to them than the music, and those who put the music first and their equipment is really anything half decent.

 

For me the two are equally important and completely interlinked. I know the music I want to create and play and I require the correct equipment to be able to achieve that.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Restore formatting

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...