I used to buy the mag religiously, but in the last few months I don't even bother picking the magazine up to flick through anymore.
The format has become stagnant (I don't slap or play 5 string ring any bells ?) and a revamp in content is desperately needed to refresh things. I feel that the content template has just been carried on from the previous editor. The page formatting and design has changed, but i'm unsure if this is positive.
Whilst it may be easier for the reviewers to get high end basses in from certain specialist shops, it is terribly skewed towards the high end market. I am sick of reading about a £3000 bass I will never buy, who will ? Maybe 1 person who buys the magazine ? Worth it for the shop/manufacturer that sent the bass for review, but not the magazine.
I think a move towards backing up their reviews with online content (video sound samples etc) would be highely beneficial.
If it is a case that there isn't enough demand from bassists for this magazine to evolve or infact die out entirely, then it would be a sad loss, but no great surprise.