Bass Guitar Magazine

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It costs about $15 an issue here in the states, but I've found myself picking it up more and more. I liked the recent Gail Ann Dorsey and Anthony Jackson articles. BGM gets a thumbs up from me.

[Born 2B Mild]

[quote name='gary mac' post='932933' date='Aug 22 2010, 06:09 PM']I've been sitting looking at a few of the older issues today. I wish they would bring back the Weekend Warriors feature, far more interesting to me than some of the interviews etc of late.[/quote]
+1. In fact, the [b]Weekend Warriors[/b] feature has been recently revived in [url="http://www.bassgear.co.uk/basslines/"][i]Basslines[/i][/url]...the 'magazine' side of our site. Anyone wanting to add themselves to this just needs to email me at [email protected]

Phil

[The Admiral]

I had a 6 month sub, which I let lapse - for all the reasons covered in this thread.

Just has a message left on the mobile from a chirpy girl in the subs department - offering me 12 months subscription for £22, or equivalent to £1.84 an issue.

Times are hard at BGM we might presume?

A

[E sharp]

It is slowly getting better , but those typos mentioned are hard to understand .

The missing text on last month's issue with the 3 session guys - no mention in this month's about it (already been brought up) .

The Stanley Clarke interview also went form one page to another with some obvious text missing .

I struggle to realise how they can keep getting issues like this .

Also I was wondering if they could do something with the photos in the reviews . The TC combo review this month has a picture of part of the front panel , blurring at the edges . Then turn the page , and it's another part of the front panel , blurring at the edges . Not one picture of the complete front end . Plus a meaningless picture of a part of the grill at the bottom (what's that all about) .

I don't mean to sound negative , but the photos in the review virtually show me nothing about it . I would say , one large frontal picture (to replace the sideways one) , a large front on picture of the front panel (instead of bits and pieces) , a picture of the rear panel (not even shown) , and that would do it . No more 'arty' shots , it's supposed to be a factual article .

All this aside , I still like the mag , and will continue to buy it .

[xilddx]

I don't feel like I'm getting bang for my buck lately with BGM. I like one or two things but I just got the Latest Guitarist and it's got loads of bass stuff in there, and the reviews are really meaningful compared to the BGM ones. They ask the manufacturers questions and quote their answers, they even pointed out an issue to PRS and PRS admitted they hadn't noticed it and will put it right in the manufacturing process. That's the sort of review I like to read.

[Mike]

I generally like it. I really only get it for Janek's improvising concepts article which in my opinion is worth the cost of the magazine.

[EBS_freak]

Is the next issue out yet?

[Baskesman]

[quote name='silddx' post='943286' date='Sep 2 2010, 01:57 PM']I don't feel like I'm getting bang for my buck lately with BGM. I like one or two things but I just got the Latest Guitarist and it's got loads of bass stuff in there, and the reviews are really meaningful compared to the BGM ones. They ask the manufacturers questions and quote their answers, they even pointed out an issue to PRS and PRS admitted they hadn't noticed it and will put it right in the manufacturing process. That's the sort of review I like to read.[/quote]

I think I'll return to Guitar mags after this subscription ends.

[xilddx]

[quote name='Baskesman' post='965527' date='Sep 23 2010, 01:00 PM']I think I'll return to Guitar mags after this subscription ends.[/quote]
I know what you mean, I may not actually buy any magazines unless there is something specific I want from it. But, like I said in my OP, I like having something to read in the bog, and I would like it to be a bass magazine that's on the money and makes me think something other than "I'm not buying this again".

[ezbass]

[quote name='silddx' post='943286' date='Sep 2 2010, 12:57 PM']I don't feel like I'm getting bang for my buck lately with BGM. I like one or two things but I just got the Latest Guitarist and it's got loads of bass stuff in there,[/quote]
Guitarist? Really? I've never liked Roger Newell's reviews, they never seem properly thought out and seem to skirt around what they actually sound like, I even wrote to them about it, surprise no answer. A case in point, when reviewing one bass under the heading "sounds" the review went on describing hardware and build features, nothing to do with sound. Now Guitar & Bass mag is a different kettle of fish as Gareth Morgan does a fine job (a good teacher too BTW), I just get a bit bored with some the other features in it, for instance I don't really care about someone's big ass collection of guitars (John Illsley's recent feature being an exception of course) or bands I've never heard of. Mind you the bands issue is a thing with all mags, I guess I'm just out of touch.

[daz]

[quote name='Mike' post='943461' date='Sep 2 2010, 02:54 PM']I generally like it. I really only get it for Janek's improvising concepts article which in my opinion is worth the cost of the magazine.[/quote]

the last (bootsy collins) issue states that this months will be out on 25 september. Its supposed to be reviewing The Ampeg herritage series Amps and spmething called a Kramer D1 bass among other things.

[EBS_freak]

Thought that urb's input this month was pretty good. Nice one Mike.

[RhysP]

Had a look at the new issue in W.H. Smiths yesterday. Says on the front cover that there's an interview with Colin Edwin from Porcupine Tree. "Great" thinks I, "something I actually have some interest in reading at last".

Turns out the interview is over a year old & is completely uninformative anyway.

Once again I didn't buy it as it just isn't worth the cover price IMO. I don't think I'd bother with it even if it was free to be honest.

To be fair I think I've just read too many guitar/bass mags over the years & they all bore me now, not just BGM.
The same people get interviewed over & over again without having anything new to say and I'm basically paying for adverts that show stuff I have absolutely no interest in buying anyway.

[xilddx]

[quote name='RhysP' post='980376' date='Oct 7 2010, 11:39 AM']Had a look at the new issue in W.H. Smiths yesterday. Says on the front cover that there's an interview with Colin Edwin from Porcupine Tree. "Great" thinks I, "something I actually have some interest in reading at last".

Turns out the interview is over a year old & is completely uninformative anyway.

Once again I didn't buy it as it just isn't worth the cover price IMO. I don't think I'd bother with it even if it was free to be honest.

To be fair I think I've just read too many guitar/bass mags over the years & they all bore me now, not just BGM.
The same people get interviewed over & over again without having anything new to say and I'm basically paying for adverts that show stuff I have absolutely no interest in buying anyway.[/quote]
Must admit, I wondered how old that interview must have been.

Like EBS though, Mike Flynn continues to be the best writer in there by a country mile.

Mike, any plans for interviewing Scott Thunes when he's in London? I think the huge interview in Wictor's book covered a lot of ground, but Scott has a lot to say and I reckon a fresh approach from you could be very worthwhile!

[urb]

[quote name='silddx' post='980418' date='Oct 7 2010, 12:01 PM']Must admit, I wondered how old that interview must have been.

Like EBS though, Mike Flynn continues to be the best writer in there by a country mile.

Mike, any plans for interviewing Scott Thunes when he's in London? I think the huge interview in Wictor's book covered a lot of ground, but Scott has a lot to say and I reckon a fresh approach from you could be very worthwhile![/quote]

Thanks Nige and yes I think Scott would be a great person to interview - consider me on the case - let me know if you have any questions I could 'potentially' put to him... I definitely loved what he did with Zappa - he's quite a character too - outspoken to say the least.

Thanks again for the positive feedback

Cheers

Mike

[xilddx]

[quote name='urb' post='981325' date='Oct 8 2010, 10:21 AM']Thanks Nige and yes I think Scott would be a great person to interview - consider me on the case - let me know if you have any questions I could 'potentially' put to him... I definitely loved what he did with Zappa - he's quite a character too - outspoken to say the least.

Thanks again for the positive feedback

Cheers

Mike[/quote]
Ooh wickid! That would be so cool!

If you haven't read the full interview with Scott in Wictor's book Scary Musicians, PM me your addy and I'll lend you my copy.

If you do manage to procure an interview with him, I think I would avoid asking about the crap that went on with Zappa's "'88" band, it's been done to death. He is also legendary in his dislike of being called bass hero or whatever, he said he thinks what he did with Zappa is easy to play for an intermediate player, something like that. It's expression of his personality that most fuels his need to play music - I believe, from reading interviews with him.

What I'm interested in is his approach to composition and improvisation and how he creates a link between his personality and musical execution, and why he thinks it is important. I dunno, it's difficult to know how he might react to questions, I get the impression he would want to discuss the metaphysical aspects of music, and avoid talk of playing BASS. Just my impresssion.

I'd also like to know if he ever got his six and a half minute cello and violin piece recorded. That's another painful story in the book. Hearing that piece would unlock a part of the Scott Thunes story for me.

Edited for accuracy.

Edited October 10, 2010 by silddx

[daz]

Great 60th issue this month. Paul Turner of Jamiroquai interviewed, among others. Slowly improving with each one. The Yamaha BB1024x is reviewed and pretty fine it looks too. Except for the weight, it supposedly weighs in at 12Kg!. Only three times as heavy as my CVJ then? Its also given as that weight on this page here given as a link below, where its for sale at £1120 ([i] and I cant see anywhere that its priced at the £939 mentioned in the magazine review either.)[/i]


[url="http://www.soundsliveshop.com/p/Yamaha_BB1024X_Sunburst/YAM-BB1024XTBS"]Yamaha BB1024X[/url]

Surely it cant actually weigh in at 26lb ??!!

Edited October 27, 2010 by daz

[yorks5stringer]

[quote name='daz' post='1002630' date='Oct 27 2010, 03:59 PM']Great 60th issue this month. Paul Turner of Jamiroquai interviewed, among others. Slowly improving with each one. The Yamaha BB1024x is reviewed and pretty fine it looks too. Except for the weight, it supposedly weighs in at 12Kg!. Only three times as heavy as my CVJ then? Its also given as that weight on this page here given as a link below, where its for sale at £1120 ([i] and I cant see anywhere that its priced at the £939 mentioned in the magazine review either.)[/i]


[url="http://www.soundsliveshop.com/p/Yamaha_BB1024X_Sunburst/YAM-BB1024XTBS"]Yamaha BB1024X[/url]

Surely it cant actually weigh in at 26lb ??!![/quote]

Maybe it's a true heavy metal Bass?

[xilddx]

[quote name='daz' post='1002630' date='Oct 27 2010, 03:59 PM']Great 60th issue this month. Paul Turner of Jamiroquai interviewed, among others. Slowly improving with each one. The Yamaha BB1024x is reviewed and pretty fine it looks too. Except for the weight, it supposedly weighs in at 12Kg!. Only three times as heavy as my CVJ then? Its also given as that weight on this page here given as a link below, where its for sale at £1120 ([i] and I cant see anywhere that its priced at the £939 mentioned in the magazine review either.)[/i]


[url="http://www.soundsliveshop.com/p/Yamaha_BB1024X_Sunburst/YAM-BB1024XTBS"]Yamaha BB1024X[/url]

Surely it cant actually weigh in at 26lb ??!![/quote]
I would hope that's 12lbs not kg!

[ikay]

[quote name='silddx' post='1002657' date='Oct 27 2010, 04:19 PM']I would hope that's 12lbs not kg!

[/quote]

BGM must have reviewed the one with plutonium pups 4kg (8.8lbs) according to Bass Direct [url="http://www.bassdirect.co.uk/bass_guitar_specialists/Yamaha_BB_1024.html"]http://www.bassdirect.co.uk/bass_guitar_sp...ha_BB_1024.html[/url]

[BottomEndian]

12kg could conceivably be the shipping weight if it comes with a hard case and a few house-bricks.

[daz]

Looks a corker though, if i come into a [i]spare [/i]grand anytime soon i think ill be spending it on one of those. The only thing that puts me off is the Made in Indonesia label. Not that i have anything against Indonesia, its just that i have heard a few rumbles about the quality of certain basses made there not quite being up to the standards of those made in some of the Chinese factories. In fact if i had [i]two [/i]grand spare (as if) id spend it on the Japan made big brother the BB2024X.

Edited October 27, 2010 by daz

[ezbass]

Really looking forward to reading the Paul Turner interview but my letterbox and doormat are currently bereft of said magazine

[xilddx]

[quote name='ezbass' post='1002720' date='Oct 27 2010, 05:13 PM']Really looking forward to reading the Paul Turner interview but my letterbox and doormat are currently bereft of said magazine [/quote]
Same here, I am thinking they have forgotten to prompt me to renew my subscription.

No bothered about Paul Turner thiough

[bobpalt]

[quote name='BottomEndian' post='1002673' date='Oct 27 2010, 04:30 PM']12kg could conceivably be the shipping weight if it comes with a hard case and a few house-bricks.[/quote]


SoundsLive think it weighs 12kg as well. Maybe it does?


Our Price £1,119.00

Manufacturer SKU: YAM-BB1024XBL
Soundslive ID: 13753
Weight: 12 kg