Customer Reviews

Bass Player

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

Bass Player features successful bass players every month. The subject matter is wide ranging. Towards the front of the magazine, there is a new gear section that gives a short description and thumbnail picture of new products such as effects pedals, speaker cabinets, strings, and what have you. Usually the magazine cover shot will be the main story where the magazine will give background information on a bass player and then interview him/her. One month you might find Paul McCartney, the next, Flea from the Red Hot Chili Peppers. In the interview, the reader gets insight into the mind of working successful musicians and how they shape musical bass standards with their vision. Towards the back of the magazine, there are in-depth reviews of three or four pieces of musical equipment; always included are a bass guitar, often a bass amp, and speakers, strings, and pedals.

As you get further to the back, there are many lessons geared towards teaching the aspiring bass player how to do certain techniques they might have heard on a recording, as well as technical exercises to improve technique. One month, you may have a guest columnist teaching you about how to hold your hand over the fretboard on an upright, and the next, you may get lessons on how to keep better tempo with the drummer. This section is very valuable and pertinent to anyone aspiring to improve their playing style. Peppered throughout the magazine are ads from all the industry manufacturers and retailers advertising a broad spectrum of supplies available, as well as internet links to those products. These ads themselves are educational as they give the musician a chance to compare product specifications and pricing. If I had any requests from this magazine, it would be--how about a small humor section or a cartoon?

This magazine is a must-have for both the seasoned professional and the aspiring newbie. I never miss an issue and I learn something every time I read a new Bass Player. I always look forward to the next issue with great enthusiasm. Do yourself a favor and subscribe to this one today! :-)

If you are a bassist and you even need to read a review to figure out if this is the right mag for you, best get your head checked! I have subscribed to Bass Player since 1992 and will keep renewing my subcription until I am so old I have to have my assistant read me all the features by my craftmatic lounger. Forget Fox news, Bass Player is fair and balanced, covering everyone from the sad passing of NHOP (greatest upright player of all time) to all the standards like Jaco and Vic. Dont think that you little mall-core kids are not rep'd...all the nu-metal low enders are there as well, even though they suck the rust from under my fretwire. I have always respected this magazine and the writers seem like family...go get this now fool! word.

I have always enjoyed the Articles&Interviews with many Bass Players featured in this Magazine.Stanley Clarke had quite a few Interviews I have enjoyed over the years.Marcus Miller as well.great stories on Jaco as well.good reflections on James Jamerson,good stories on Larry Graham,Verdine White,John Patitucci,Louis Johnson,Flea,Bootsy Collins,Charles Mingus,etc... they have covered a wide range of Players&Topics.

I ordered this mag in January and here it is, April, and I still haven't received the first issue. I have been on the phone with Synapse and they told me TWICE that they would get back to me with info on my subscription within 24 hours and I still haven't heard from them. The mag is great but the subscription service seems far below Amazon's usual service.

Bass Player keeps a good blend of instructional articles, album and product reviews, transcriptions and interviews. Their product shoot-outs and tips from inside the music industry are informative and helpful. All in all, a good mix.

While BP does do the occasional article on a straight-ahead jazz player or upright player, most of the editorial content (and what seesm like 90% of the cover photos) are deoted to the tattooed, pierced and punked up shredder of the month. Sure, there's actually a colum devoted to upright playing- sort of- but overall this is a magazine for young rockers. For them, it's great. For me... I'm still looking.

The best bass magazine out there!
You `ll find anything you need every month...famous artists,gear reviews,lessons...everything!!!
I `ve been reading this mag` from age 14 (10 years of bass playing)and it helped me in my playing in many ways.
It`s simply the ultumate magazine of bass guitar.
Nuff said!

This is an excellent resource for all bass players and musicians. The reviews are good, the products reviewed are probally tied into ad layouts but are helpful. The product reviews are fair and usually truthful. The only draw back is the price of the book. The high end is probably a result of the lower subscription level, however your prices here help us that want to continue to get this great piece of reading...do it. They need the support and we need more good reading at reasonable rates.

While many music rags limit their coverage to new and hip artists, while providing lots of song transcriptions, Bass Player is focused on teaching. The artists surveyed are always eclectic and exciting, and the lessons challenging and intriguing. In all, the focus of the magazine seems to me to be the philosophy of music, and is consistently intelligent and articulate. Every serious bass player would benefit from a couple of copies of this magazine.

I love this mag. I wish it came out twice a month! I am not a professional bassman and some of it is beyond me, but that leaves room for me to grow with my instrument. If you are a bassplayer you should get this magazine.