Bass Guitar Magazine

[MacDaddy]

still haven't bothered renewing, still not missing it.

Imperfections are one thing, but from what is being posted here there are some whoppers still going on with BGM.

[daz]

Lol. just tried to access the BGM website and all i get is


[quote]Bandwidth Limit Exceeded
The server is temporarily unable to service your request due to the site owner reaching his/her bandwidth limit. Please try again later.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Apache/2.2.14 (Unix) mod_ssl/2.2.14 OpenSSL/0.9.8e-fips-rhel5 mod_auth_passthrough/2.1 mod_bwlimited/1.4 FrontPage/5.0.2.2635 Server at www.bassguitarmagazine.com Port 80[/quote]

Someone not been paying the bills again?

Still waiting to hear an answer from last months solid lead Yamaha fiasco. Not a peep from their forum.

Edited November 30, 2010 by daz

[xilddx]

[quote name='Kraken' post='1042337' date='Nov 30 2010, 01:35 PM']that is a conversation you and I are going to have to have over a brew or two...


[/quote]


I just want to be clear, I was pretty much told I shouldn't criticise anything unless I can do better myself. Which, to me at least, is bollocks and a rather wimpy, meek attitude. Hence my comment about criticising the gov, even though I could not possibly be an MP

[ezbass]

[quote name='daz' post='1042392' date='Nov 30 2010, 02:12 PM']Bandwidth Limit Exceeded
The server is temporarily unable to service your request due to the site owner reaching his/her bandwidth limit. Please try again later.[/quote]

Funnily enough the Acoustic Magazine (same people) website is fine.

[ead]

[quote name='silddx' post='1041858' date='Nov 30 2010, 12:08 AM']I had better not hear you criticise the government on here, my friend, or even a bass guitar, unless you can build either to a higher standard.[/quote]


Don't panic you won't

My opinions are based on what I like about stuff as I am newish to basses and bass playing. I genuinely enjoy most gear reviews as I know that I don't have the knowledge or skill to do it at all.

...but the government, well that's a different matter. But obviously as I'm over paid, under worked with a massive guilt edged pension (plus any any other accusations the Daily Wail has made) public servant what would I know. Kill 'em all...

[Mykesbass]

[quote name='ead' post='1043696' date='Dec 1 2010, 12:55 PM']guilt edged pension[/quote]

pun intended I hope?

[ead]

[quote name='Mykesbass' post='1043708' date='Dec 1 2010, 01:07 PM'] pun intended I hope?[/quote]


But of course - I'm really glad somebody spotted it, I spent literally seconds wondering whether to go for it

[mep]

My copy arrived on Monday.

We are clear of any snow and ice down in Torbay and the postal service seems ok, except for a replacement sensor for our Guitar Hero drum kit that took over 2 weeks to arrive - before the bad weather affected large parts of the country.

I always enjoy this thread as it rears it's head every month when the latest issue comes out.

[mart]

Strange: I looked at the [url="http://www.bassguitarmagazine.com/"]BGM website[/url] yesterday and it was fine, and it's fine today too. Slightly out of date ... but working.

[quote name='daz' post='1042392' date='Nov 30 2010, 02:12 PM']Lol. just tried to access the BGM website and all i get is




Someone not been paying the bills again?

Still waiting to hear an answer from last months solid lead Yamaha fiasco. Not a peep from their forum.[/quote]

[BigRedX]

[quote name='ead' post='1040111' date='Nov 28 2010, 05:04 PM']I look forward with much anticipation to your own highly informative, blemish free, gilt edged, advertising free and presumably also foc publicaion

I'm at a loss to think of one specialist (or even generalist) publication that is not imperfect; sorry about the double negative there folks. If it draws a few more people into the fold then good luck to it. I enjoy reading it but have yet to buy any gear just because it was recommended there, I go and try it myself along with some other similar products. Although in my defence I know nothing about anything so I find bits of it quite informative.

I normally enjoy your post silddx but I think you're somewhat off target here.[/quote]
I'm assuming by this you mean don't knock it unless you can do better?

Well I earn my living doing Artwork (that's the bit that comes between the graphic design and printing) and from my perspective the standard of the Artwork on BGM is piss-poor. If the people responsible were working for me they'd either be bloody good at their jobs by now in which case there would be almost no posts here about missing ends of articles, spelling, typographical errors, bad photography/photo-retouching, or they'd be collecting their P45s.

And before you ask, yes I have offered my services, but not heard anything at all, which means that I'm either too expensive (quality unfortunately doesn't come cheap), or the publishers just don't care.

We moan and complain here because we care. We've love BGM to be a serious quality publication and not a contender for specialist publication on "Have I got News For You".

[Marvin]

I haven't bought it for about 12 months. I'm afraid there's nothing in there that appeals. Interviews with bassists that either I've never heard of or they're in bands I'm not much fussed by. Most of the gear is high end so I'd never even consider buying it (because I simply couldn't afford it), hence an appraisal of it is of no interest to me.

As for the look of it? Not mad keen on it.

Apologies to the contributors who are also members on here but I get so much more info from this site.

[xilddx]

[quote name='BigRedX' post='1043869' date='Dec 1 2010, 02:55 PM']I'm assuming by this you mean don't knock it unless you can do better?

Well I earn my living doing Artwork (that's the bit that comes between the graphic design and printing) and from my perspective the standard of the Artwork on BGM is piss-poor. If the people responsible were working for me they'd either be bloody good at their jobs by now in which case there would be almost no posts here about missing ends of articles, spelling, typographical errors, bad photography/photo-retouching, or they'd be collecting their P45s.

And before you ask, yes I have offered my services, but not heard anything at all, which means that I'm either too expensive (quality unfortunately doesn't come cheap), or the publishers just don't care.

We moan and complain here because we care. We've love BGM to be a serious quality publication and not a contender for specialist publication on "Have I got News For You".[/quote]
Well said, BRX, exactly what I meant.

I'm also from an art and graphic design background and have worked professionally as a graphic designer. I've done some copywriting and proofing, been an interface usability consultant, web and intranet strategy consultant, photographic technician, and various other jobs involved in maximising user experiences with information and entertainment interfaces. I'm bloody glad I gave all that up and I'm happy to be a qualified safety adviser now

Almost all my jobs have had peoples experiences with information at the heart of them, and as the end result. That's one of my passions. Unfortunately, a lot of musicians working on magazines don't have that as their passion, the music is their passion and they sometimes have a little skill and experience in putting across information which appeals to a wide audience.

Even as they criticise the equipment they are reviewing as having poor quality control or build, or components, they neglect their own. No-one can deny QC at BGM is poor. Some of the copy is poor, along with some poor page layout, photography, accuracy of information, completeness of information, accuracy of the lesson transcriptions, etc. It's not all bad, but the same stupid mistakes are still there and there is a distinct lack of commitment to product quality from the publishers.

They have made improvements, Mike Flynn being the most obvious, but much of it is still less than compelling reading for the amateur or professional bassist. I sense very little representation of the bass community in there. No ATTITUDE.

Edited December 1, 2010 by silddx

[BigRedX]

TBH The thing I hate most about the current BGM journalistic style is in the "What We Think" section, where seemingly every bass that doesn't follow P or J styling gets a minus and a comment along the lines of "looks may not appeal to everyone".

YOU COULD WRITE THAT ABOUT EVERY SINGLE BASS REVIEWED!

I'm sure there's just as many people who wouldn't buy a P or J style bass because it looks to 'ordinary' as there are people who wouldn't buy something more unconventional because it looks too 'weird'.

It's a totally meaningless comment and needs to be banished from the publication.

Rant over...

Edited December 1, 2010 by BigRedX

[Krysbass]

[quote name='silddx' post='1043921' date='Dec 1 2010, 04:21 PM']Some of the copy is poor, along with some poor page layout, photography, accuracy of information, completeness of information, accuracy of the lesson transcriptions, etc. It's not all bad, but the same stupid mistakes are still there and there is a distinct lack of commitment to product quality from the publishers.

They have made improvements, Mike Flynn being the most obvious, but much of it is still less than compelling reading for the amateur or professional bassist. I sense very little representation of the bass community in there. No ATTITUDE.[/quote]

Have to say I'm disappointed at the Bass Day review in the current issue. Lots of pix, but no captions or anything in the text to tell you what you're looking at. In all honesty, the only people I definitely recognise in all those pix are Stu Hamm, Billy Sheehan and Victor Bailey. Only by a vague memory and deduction have I guessed that another one must be Steve Williams - the show organiser, but that leaves about 8 or 9 other people unidentified.

The article just comes across like it was done in a real hurry.

[ead]

[quote name='BigRedX' post='1043869' date='Dec 1 2010, 02:55 PM']I'm assuming by this you mean don't knock it unless you can do better?[/quote]

Not at all; you have misinterpreted what I meant to say, or more likely I didn't phrase it well enough. I did insert a smiley in the attempt to imply some humour, and as per my subsequent post I wouln't criticise what I don't know about.

People at different levels experience things in different ways. Taking you example of artwork (although a lot of the thread appears to be more about content) I know bog all about it and occasionally notice things that I think look effective and those that merely raise an eyebrow. i.e. to the untrained eye it is less important, although as it's clearly your area of expertise you are deeply frustrated by it.

I suspect that the market for this type of publication is relatively small in circulation terms, so that a range of publications from those aimed at numpties and beginners (like me) to pros (like a number of you) may be impractical. I certainly get frustrated that sometimes reviews will refer to a particular feature of a guitar but there is no image to illustrate the point, and I have written to the magazine to ask them to see if they can improve on this. I've also requested more reviews of equipment I can afford even though I do enjoy drooling over some of the top end basses.

If you scan through the thread a lot of the posts would appear to follow the great British tradition of moaning about things without offering a contructive alternative. If everybody that has criticsed the publication here has made the same comments in the same terms to the editor then fair enough, I'll shut up and go away. But I would bet a decent wedge that this will not have been the case.

Anyway, I enjoy reading (most of) it and if it brings more people into the bass community, then that's a great result. Good luck to them.

[Clarky]

[quote name='Moos3h' post='1041772' date='Nov 29 2010, 10:46 PM']Just read the latest issue this evening. Only comment is what a bell-end Jeff Berlin comes across as in the letters page![/quote]
Read mine on way to work this morning. The letter that prompted Jeff Berlin's response was a bit silly but Jeff Berlin's ego is off the scale. He might be a great bass player (and is undoubtedly amazingly technically gifted), but what an arrogant SoB. No wonder he divides opinions - and thats before we even mention the 70s porn star moustache and the waist high jeans and Hi-Tops!

[xilddx]

[quote name='ead' post='1044635' date='Dec 2 2010, 08:26 AM']Not at all; you have misinterpreted what I meant to say, or more likely I didn't phrase it well enough. I did insert a smiley in the attempt to imply some humour, and as per my subsequent post I wouln't criticise what I don't know about.

People at different levels experience things in different ways. Taking you example of artwork (although a lot of the thread appears to be more about content) I know bog all about it and occasionally notice things that I think look effective and those that merely raise an eyebrow. i.e. to the untrained eye it is less important, although as it's clearly your area of expertise you are deeply frustrated by it.

I suspect that the market for this type of publication is relatively small in circulation terms, so that a range of publications from those aimed at numpties and beginners (like me) to pros (like a number of you) may be impractical. I certainly get frustrated that sometimes reviews will refer to a particular feature of a guitar but there is no image to illustrate the point, and I have written to the magazine to ask them to see if they can improve on this. I've also requested more reviews of equipment I can afford even though I do enjoy drooling over some of the top end basses.

If you scan through the thread a lot of the posts would appear to follow the great British tradition of moaning about things without offering a contructive alternative. If everybody that has criticsed the publication here has made the same comments in the same terms to the editor then fair enough, I'll shut up and go away. But I would bet a decent wedge that this will not have been the case.

Anyway, I enjoy reading (most of) it and if it brings more people into the bass community, then that's a great result. Good luck to them.[/quote]
I don't think I misinterpreted anything, and nor did BRX.

As far as this thread goes, there has been much constructive criticism and involvement from some of the contributors. The magazine has improved somewhat, but not enough. Some have been rather upset and said BGM is better than nothing, and to shut up if you can't do any better yourself, and such like. My response is always the same, that BGM should not be beyond criticism from people simply because those people aren't, can't, or won't provide a better alternative. All we are concerned with is QUALITY content and production. There are significant improvements to be made.

The magazine staff seem to care a lot, however the publishers in their f***ing fairy towers seem to be more concerned with the success of their horribly dull superstar w*** band, Swans in Flight.

[xilddx]

[quote name='BigRedX' post='1044058' date='Dec 1 2010, 05:13 PM']TBH The thing I hate most about the current BGM journalistic style is in the "What We Think" section, where seemingly every bass that doesn't follow P or J styling gets a minus and a comment along the lines of "looks may not appeal to everyone".

YOU COULD WRITE THAT ABOUT EVERY SINGLE BASS REVIEWED!

I'm sure there's just as many people who wouldn't buy a P or J style bass because it looks to 'ordinary' as there are people who wouldn't buy something more unconventional because it looks too 'weird'.

It's a totally meaningless comment and needs to be banished from the publication.

Rant over...[/quote]
The reviews are still crap.

[ead]

[quote name='silddx' post='1044711' date='Dec 2 2010, 09:47 AM']...... that BGM should not be beyond criticism from people simply because those people aren't, can't, or won't provide a better alternative. All we are concerned with is QUALITY content and production.....[/quote]

Agreed; with the proviso that quality means fit for purpose in the sense that a Rolls Royce is not a quality car for the average pensioner.

[quote name='silddx' post='1044711' date='Dec 2 2010, 09:47 AM']The magazine staff seem to care a lot, however the publishers in their f***ing fairy towers seem to be more concerned with the success of their horribly dull superstar w*** band, Swans in Flight.[/quote]

Ouch! I quite enjoyed the CD, but I had better not disagree with the establishment twice in one thread

[Doddy]

[quote name='Krysbass' post='1044314' date='Dec 1 2010, 08:46 PM']Have to say I'm disappointed at the Bass Day review in the current issue. Lots of pix, but no captions or anything in the text to tell you what you're looking at. In all honesty, the only people I definitely recognise in all those pix are Stu Hamm, Billy Sheehan and Victor Bailey. Only by a vague memory and deduction have I guessed that another one must be Steve Williams - the show organiser, but that leaves about 8 or 9 other people unidentified. [/quote]

Half the pictures were of Dave Marks. He's a cool player and everything,but he seemed to get a lot of coverage-maybe because he writes for
the magazine?

[quote name='Clarky' post='1044639' date='Dec 2 2010, 08:30 AM']Read mine on way to work this morning. The letter that prompted Jeff Berlin's response was a bit silly but Jeff Berlin's ego is off the scale. He might be a great bass player (and is undoubtedly amazingly technically gifted), but what an arrogant SoB. No wonder he divides opinions - and thats before we even mention the 70s porn star moustache and the waist high jeans and Hi-Tops![/quote]

But the way he looks has absolutely no relevance to anything.

[EBS_freak]

[quote name='Doddy' post='1045778' date='Dec 2 2010, 10:50 PM']Half the pictures were of Dave Marks. He's a cool player and everything,but he seemed to get a lot of coverage-maybe because he writes for
the magazine?[/quote]

I did think the same... and it was if though there was a challenge on how many times BGM and Dave Marks could appear in the article.

[stingrayPete1977]

Does that mean there is no picture of me and you EBS? Im defo not buying it this month now then!

[xilddx]

[quote name='Doddy' post='1045778' date='Dec 2 2010, 10:50 PM']But the way he looks has absolutely no relevance to anything.[/quote]
I'm afraid it does. Classic jazzer mistake, that.

[EBS_freak]

[quote name='stingrayPete1977' post='1045793' date='Dec 2 2010, 10:57 PM']Does that mean there is no picture of me and you EBS? Im defo not buying it this month now then! [/quote]

No, we lost out again there...

[Clarky]

[quote name='Doddy' post='1045778' date='Dec 2 2010, 10:50 PM']the way he looks has absolutely no relevance to anything.[/quote]
Sense of humour failure Doddy?