DIAMOND DUST Posted October 28, 2003 Share Posted October 28, 2003 I bought my first GuitarPlayer in 1985, the year i started playing. I've had a subscription for 18 years, and it's brought me mucho insight into the thing i love most, GUITAR. But something has changed with my favorite mag. It has turned into a freakin advertisement rag. I used to love to get the Soundpage lessons, and killer interviews with obscure players who really made you want to learn new skills. Now the whole thing is full of ads for shit most people can't afford, or interviews with players who really can't "play". Has anyone else noticed this? I also subscribe to Guitar ONE, but it's kinda going that way too. Are there any other mags i should know about, that still give up the goods. http://b-cordova.dmusic.com/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dak Lander Posted October 28, 2003 Share Posted October 28, 2003 Nup, GitPlayah is still the best in the biz, IMO. Our Joint "When you come slam bang up against trouble, it never looks half as bad if you face up to it." The Duke... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TeleCarlos Posted October 28, 2003 Share Posted October 28, 2003 I'm still subscribed... Kinda just to keep an eye out to new "crap" to buy. Still get some insight to new stuff out there. Still not a fan like I used to... I guess we are growing old huh? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
antimatter Posted October 28, 2003 Share Posted October 28, 2003 If it wasn't for their website, I'd have never found this place. And hey, look at Rolling Stone! Now there's a mag on the downslide. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guitarzan Posted October 28, 2003 Share Posted October 28, 2003 i am still in mourning over the loss of guitar shop magazine. there are still lots of goodies in GP. i read it all. even the stuff i think is not my cup of tea. though i wish they would get a bit more broad in the bench test area. http://www.soundclick.com/bands/pagemusic.cfm?bandID=193274 rock it, i will Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
revolead Posted October 28, 2003 Share Posted October 28, 2003 I don't think GP has gotten any worse personally. Readers asked for more reviews, so what did they do? Now they've got 23! If you think GP isn't appealing to you as much and its becoming overcommercialized, I've got a news flash for you. So is everything. We study this stuff in mass media class. Vertical integration, hypercommercialism, product placement - it's all taking a huge toll on the media and entertainment industry, and now we appear to be spiraling downward into a sumphole where capitalism and cash regin supreme. Honestly, I think Guitar Player has done a better job than most at trying to keep the favorites down. Its also interesing to note that statistically readers read magazines for the ads as much as the editorial content. Just my buck fifty. Shut up and play. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jlh Posted October 28, 2003 Share Posted October 28, 2003 Gotta agree with the bunch. GP is the only guitar magazine I've ever subscribed to and I've been doing it for years. I've been reading it even longer, since the very first issue! They are really responsive to their readers and try pretty hard to follow the trends of what their readers want. And the free online audio of their lessons is killer! I was just happy when they put them on TrueFire, but having them on the website is just too good. Jamie But never fear, you're safe with me... Well maybe. - Les Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
timrocker Posted October 28, 2003 Share Posted October 28, 2003 I'd say hang in there a little longer. A couple of issues does not a trend make. If you looked at GP over the entire history of its publication, you would definitely see some periods and phases of lesser content and questionable direction. Followed by a revitalization in quality very shortly afterwards. I don't know why. I still think it's the finest Guitar subject magazine you can buy. I stopped reading and subscribing about a year ago in order to devote the time to more doing. I didn't feel that they had failed in any respect-I just only had so much time. My 2 cents. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DIAMOND DUST Posted October 28, 2003 Author Share Posted October 28, 2003 Originally posted by timrocker: I'd say hang in there a little longer. A couple of issues does not a trend make. If you looked at GP over the entire history of its publication, you would definitely see some periods and phases of lesser content and questionable direction. Followed by a revitalization in quality very shortly afterwards. I don't know why. I still think it's the finest Guitar subject magazine you can buy. I stopped reading and subscribing about a year ago in order to devote the time to more doing. I didn't feel that they had failed in any respect-I just only had so much time. My 2 cents.I agree with you. I would'nt know what to do if i did'nt get my monthly issue. I just wish they would go back to searching out, and interviewing the players players. I like to see cover stories on; Ralph Towner, Pat Martino, Mick Taylor, Alex Degrassi. Like the good old days. http://b-cordova.dmusic.com/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blue Strat Posted October 28, 2003 Share Posted October 28, 2003 Originally posted by DIAMOND DUST: Originally posted by timrocker: I'd say hang in there a little longer. A couple of issues does not a trend make. If you looked at GP over the entire history of its publication, you would definitely see some periods and phases of lesser content and questionable direction. Followed by a revitalization in quality very shortly afterwards. I don't know why. I still think it's the finest Guitar subject magazine you can buy. I stopped reading and subscribing about a year ago in order to devote the time to more doing. I didn't feel that they had failed in any respect-I just only had so much time. My 2 cents.I agree with you. I would'nt know what to do if i did'nt get my monthly issue. I just wish they would go back to searching out, and interviewing the players players. I like to see cover stories on; Ralph Towner, Pat Martino, Mick Taylor, Alex Degrassi. Like the good old days. A guitar magazine works like the theory of evolution, either adapt and overcome or become extinct. I personally like some of the newer players featured lately. Jack White was a good choice for the cover story, IMO. The latest issue has got the Strokes on the cover. I'm not sure what to think of them, I haven't heard much of their music, but it sure beats another cover with Santana on it! I wish they would cover more of the lesser known bands out there like Clutch or Marcy Playground, or even Space Hog. I get tired of interviews with the same people, and the same questions all the time (like the afore mentioned Santana articles). BlueStrat a.k.a. "El Guapo" ...Better fuzz through science... http://geocities.com/teleman28056/index.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alguit Posted October 28, 2003 Share Posted October 28, 2003 I've been getting GP since '77, and yes, I don't always enjoy it as much as I once did, but as has been pointed out, such things move in cycles. Revolead's professor is right on target with this, points that I make in my composition class. It' also tough for such an instrument with such a broad variety of makes, models, styles, practitioners, etc. to have one mag that will satisfy everyone. I still see an editorial mission at GP, and will continue reading it-even though they haven't put me on the cover yet! Sure I don't tour or record much anymore, nor was I ever remotely famous, but I've got a lot of guitars, damnit, and that's got to count for something! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yamsa2000 Posted October 28, 2003 Share Posted October 28, 2003 I don't buy them anymore - I get them at the local library. But I have a backlog of a few hundred going back to the sixties, every now and then I go through them and find something to learn from.It has gone through different phases over the years - lets hope it gets back to the quality mag it once was.I've got no complaints though, maybe it's unrealistic to expect too much......Guitar Player readers have been kinda spoilt over the years,if anything.I miss Tommy Tedesco.And whatever happened to Teisco del Rey? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BiC Posted October 28, 2003 Share Posted October 28, 2003 As with most mags, if you were to rip out the ads, there wouldn't even be much of a mag left. But, that's how they stay in biz. Without the ads, we wouldn't have the mag. Peace "Treat your wife with honor, respect, and understanding as you live together so that you can pray effectively as husband and wife." 1 Peter 3:7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
strat0124 Posted October 28, 2003 Share Posted October 28, 2003 The best of that mag if I am correct is the Acoustic GuitarPlayer that comes out quarterly, or used to. Sometimes they become like a People magazine of sorts, and I don't care for that too much, especially with 20 pages of Tabs. I like the no shit stories that deal with the gear, the band/artist, personal studios/rehearsal spaces, ect. When they start to become Tiger Beat.....I'm outa there. Down like a dollar comin up against a yen, doin pretty good for the shape I'm in Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NMcGuitar Posted October 28, 2003 Share Posted October 28, 2003 I still think it's good. They are always adapting & changing to try to stay current, fresh, appealing, and, most of all staying in business. Sometimes they are more successful than other times, but I've never thought that they were on the way out. Getting each new edition is one of the little pleasures I look forward to. May all your thoughts be random! - Neil www.McFaddenArts.com www.MikesGarageRocks.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doc taz Posted October 28, 2003 Share Posted October 28, 2003 For the most part, I think GP's succeeded in such a tough, mercurial environment. You don't see GP doing inane things like "best 80's guitarist" just to sell issues. Some of you may miss those awesome soundpages, but we can still get mp3 lessons online. At least GP doesn't do things like requiring that you have a certain processor just to play tunes. The ads may be too many for some, but they do have their place IMHO. It's the info that matters. We don't get a high emphasis on whose girlfriend some picker's going out with, "just the facts, ma'am". Occasionally there may be some small mention of psychology, imaginative thinking, inspiration or influence (as in what one reads, for instance) behind making the music, and that's fine, because one does need that in order to make music. It isn't always about technique. Unlike the other mags, they also listen very closely to what readers say. GP's just keeping up with the times, and doing it well. sevenstring.org profile my flickr page Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Funk Jazz Posted October 28, 2003 Share Posted October 28, 2003 Vintage Guitar is still better from a strictly gear and personalities angle. but Guitar Player has stayed way more true to real musicianship than all the other rags out there. the last thing the world needs is another tab transcription of GNR's "sweet child o mine." i just renewed my subscription, and i don't know how it all works, but i always hope subscribing takes a small bit away from advertisers. but i'm probably delusional besides, when has any other rag done an article on jon jorgenson, or grant greeen, or johnny hiland? nobody else is as diverse, that's for sure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geoffk Posted October 28, 2003 Share Posted October 28, 2003 I liked GP when it had steel guitar, bass, acoustic guitar, classical guitar, jazz, synth and rock all together in one place. That way you'd find out about stuff that you didn't know about or didn't think you'd like. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
magicman Posted October 28, 2003 Share Posted October 28, 2003 Sometimes I get bummed when bands like the strokes make the cover but there's something in every issue I like. The Larry LaLonde interview in the current issue made up for the strokes cover IMO. GP is still my fave. Case in point, Korn is on the cover of GuitarWorld for the millionth time and I bet next month it will be Zak Wylde, again! "I believe that if it were left to artists to choose their own labels, most would choose none." - Ben Shahn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caevan O’Shite Posted October 28, 2003 Share Posted October 28, 2003 I have most issues dating back to the August, '83 issue, with Muddy Waters and Johnny Winter on the cover, and Steve Vai on the back-cover in a Carvin amp-ad. I think that Stevie Ray Vaughan might have had an interview in there too, or perhaps it was a subsequent issue that year... I, for one, don't care much about who or what is on the cover, and as long as the article and column content has merit and substance, I don't mind all the ads. In fact, if the ads are actually informative, and not merely BS associative imagery, I like them, too. I am fine with players who aren't exactly paragons of technique and theorey getting press, it's about making music, not gymnastics and academea. If there's room for both Hound-Dog Taylor and Steve Morse, then there's room for Jack White and John McLaughlin. I am glad to see the increased attention paid to recording, computers, and 'sites on the internet. Also GP's presence on the 'net. I understand they foster a Guitar Forum? I am NOT so happy to see less and less "D.I.Y."-project articles on guitar and amp maintainence and mods, etc., to accomodate more "buy new stuff" stimuli. I think that every issue should have a column (as well as occasional extra articles) by Dan Erlewine, like the magazine used to carry. If that's irrelevent, then why is the Les Paul Forum always getting questions addressed to him (he has a "corner" there), as well as all the questions that Myles Rose gets here? Craig Anderton used to appear in their pages quite often, and I think that more of the same would also keep a good magazine better. And what about Tom Wheeler? He always managed to be so enthusiastic about all things guitar, and brought a down-to-earth warmth and friendliness to GP. Seeing him in print there now and then, beyond the "Encore"-bit, would be very welcome! Michael Molenda has been doing an admirable job at the helm there, but these guys, and Andy (Widders-) Ellis, Dan Forte (a.k.a. "Teisco Del Rey"), Joe Gore, and too many more to mention here really laid the foundation that the magazine perches on. Let's hope that foundation isn't allowed to crumble away... Ask yourself- What Would Ren and Stimpy Do? ~ Caevan James-Michael Miller-O'Shite ~ _ ___ _ Leprechaun, Esquire _ ___ _ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Soloway Posted October 28, 2003 Share Posted October 28, 2003 I like Guitar Player. I've been reading it off and on since some time in the early to mid 70's and monthly since the mid 80's. I think it's a good now as it's ever been. I don't always like what they put on the cover, but the content is really solid. Yes, they feature photos of the Strokes and White Stipes, but they've also had recent features on Kurt Rosewinkel and Charlie Hunter. They gave space to Johnny A and Johnny Hiland when no one had ever heard of them. I actually have a couple of framed GP covers on my wall (George Van Eps and the Chet Atkins memorial issue). I don't see any reason to take those covers down at this point and it's still the magazine I would most want to see myself or my guitars in. www.solowayguitars.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Green657 Posted October 28, 2003 Share Posted October 28, 2003 Guitar Plater has NOT gone down the tubes. If you want to see a mag and a website that has crapped out, check out Guitar World. You'll be writing thank you notes to the GP editors within 3 minutes. Does anyone remember "Musician" magazine? I don't think it is still in business, but I seem to remember it was OK. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darklava Posted October 28, 2003 Share Posted October 28, 2003 I guess the only problem would be we only get it once a month The story of life is quicker then the blink of an eye, the story of love is hello, goodbye. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
revolead Posted October 28, 2003 Share Posted October 28, 2003 Originally posted by Dances With Werewolves: I, for one, don't care much about who or what is on the cover, and as long as the article and column content has merit and substance, I don't mind all the ads. In fact, if the ads are actually informative, and not merely BS associative imagery, I like them, too. My point exactly. People read the ads just as much as the content. And one day, you will all be my VICTIMS. *evil laugh*Bwahhahahaha!!!! I haven't decided yet whether to do advertising or news-editorial though. So, either way look for me in 4 years. I'll be watching you... Shut up and play. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DIAMOND DUST Posted October 28, 2003 Author Share Posted October 28, 2003 Originally posted by Green657: Guitar Plater has NOT gone down the tubes. If you want to see a mag and a website that has crapped out, check out Guitar World. You'll be writing thank you notes to the GP editors within 3 minutes. Does anyone remember "Musician" magazine? I don't think it is still in business, but I seem to remember it was OK.Man, I use to love "GUITAR WORLD" and "MUSICIAN". I have alot of old issues of both. I haven't read Guitar World in 5 years. I have an issue of G.W from 85 with RON WOOD on the cover. Still in mint cond. http://b-cordova.dmusic.com/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nollykin Posted October 29, 2003 Share Posted October 29, 2003 Best guitar mag I ever saw here in aus was the annual Australian Guitar Magazine special. It was a full magazine full of hot hot chicks holding some very nice guitars. Not much else to it, but hey - I'm 19... Nolly "Money, Bitchez and Cheese!" http://www.playspoon.com/nollykin/files/voxline.gif "I never thought about it, and I never stopped to feel - But I didn't want you telling me just what to think was real. And as simple as it comes, I only wanted to express- ...But with expression comes regret - and I don't want you hating me." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darklava Posted October 29, 2003 Share Posted October 29, 2003 Originally posted by Nollykin: Best guitar mag I ever saw here in aus was the annual Australian Guitar Magazine special. It was a full magazine full of hot hot chicks holding some very nice guitars. Not much else to it, but hey - I'm 19... Nolly That my friend is the holy grail of SG'S.One day soon it will be mine.I like the amber one.I hope you get one too.Goodluck! The story of life is quicker then the blink of an eye, the story of love is hello, goodbye. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pauldil Posted October 29, 2003 Share Posted October 29, 2003 Originally posted by GitSematery: I miss Tommy Tedesco.Yeah, I know what you mean. I always used to look forward to Tommy's Studio Log. My first issue was the one with Terry Kath on the cover. I think it was around 1970. I had saved a ton of issues, but they got destroyed when my basement flooded I still subscribe and get something out of each issue. Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trick fall Posted October 29, 2003 Share Posted October 29, 2003 I love GP. I totally miss Dan Erlewine, Tommy Tedesco and Teisco Del Rey, but I guess time moves on. I really enjoy the pawn shop prize column, totally my kind of gear. My only complaint is that instead of having the Clapton, Stevie Ray Vaughn and Hendrix articles I'd rather see articles on Jonny Thunders, East Bay Ray and Reverend Horton Heat. I think it would be really cool if they did a column on classic guitar players that you might have missed out on. I feel like our forbears in general did a much better job of passing on the history of the music. All in all though GP definitely does the best job of all the guitar rags. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tedster Posted October 29, 2003 Share Posted October 29, 2003 I like GP too, and yeah, come to think of it, that's how I ended up here, too. "Cisco Kid, was a friend of mine" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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