Go Go Gadget Crazy!

[Jonny]

Since I was disconnected temporarily from the Internet (not anymore!) I figured I might as well read, since I didn't have a TV (I do now, but I don't have channels)

So I bought T3 and Stuff, tech/gadget magazines.

And I feel I'm going crazy now about gadgets from TVs, consoles, laptops, phones, cameras, media streamers, camcorders, etc. there was even a Randall amp and a Washburn guitar mini-reviewed.

I've just given in and subscribed to T3 and as much as guitars appeal to me, the magazines aren't ever really.. for me.

Like the Guitar Buyer magazine, the most recent one, interests me because of the Telecaster reviews, the Sterling Musicman reviews and the Hayden MoFo (which by the way has been released for a while I wondered why it was so hush) but I don't really find anything about anything else in it interesting.

Does anyone else subscribe to magazines? Collect guitar magazines? Why do you subscribe/collect them?

And another note, reviews in magazines such as this or guitar ones. Surely they are a little bias (unbeknownst to the reader sometimes) because the company would surely say 'We'll give this amount if you review us nicely' or something like that.. so in a way, they are nice readds but ultimately pointless? There goes analytical me..

[Sifu Ben]

I don't think it's actually legal for magazines to accept cash for favourable reviews, however the fact that magazines rely on advertising revenue puts editorial pressure on reviewers not to upset major advertisers.
Coupled with this is the fact that the review instruments are provided by the distributors. I can think of very few guitars that are inherently badly designed, so the problems people usually complain about are related to fit and finish, and poorly selected pieces of wood. If the distributor can cherry pick the instrument the send and give it a decent set up before they send it, the experience the reviewer gets will be very different to somebody who buys it from the GAK website.

[AndyR]

I used to be a magazine person. Not sure which guitar one it was, but it was a UK one, I bought it religiously. Then one day (at least 15 years ago) I realised it was boring the pants off me, so I just stopped. And while I was moving, I skim read them all, and realised I didn't value them like I had, so I binned them...

Same thing happened with cricket magazines a few years ago (not binned them yet, they're hiding somewhere at the flat, taking up valuable "guitar storage space" I guess!!).

I sometimes go in Smith's just before a journey and consider the mags for travel entertainment, but they never seem worth the asking price...

For me, I think that the interweb (places like this one) has replaced everything that an interest-mag could possibly offer me. For example, last time I looked at guitar mags is when the CV Squiers came out. I looked at several reviews before a trip to Cornwall - and I already knew more about the things than the bluddy reviews could tell me!! (In fact, I could have written the reviews based entirely on my "internet knowledge" at the time...)

[Jonny]

To me the internet hasn't replaced a good ol' read, I just wish they had more METULZZ AND BR00THALZ!! in it, I'm sure a few folk would be pleased if they did.

[AndyR]

To me the internet hasn't replaced a good ol' read...

I'll agree with that whole-heartedly - but I don't tend to go to magazines or newspapers for that either... I missed out the fact that I've usually got a book with me already when I'm browsing the magazine rack :lol:

I have to admit though, that if the mag has a decent sized article/interview about something I'm interested in, and it seems to have info I don't have already, then I will buy...

Not sure I'd be judging by the same standards as you though... I'd probably be more interested in a mag filled to the brim with stuff about "old blues-rock gits and thur geetars (with a big not EC caveat)" - can't be doing with too much stuff about these modern metals chaps like Slash or Randy Rhoads, or , or... Michael Schenker... :lol: (actually, maybe that's why I got bored - I've already read most of the cr@p you could possibly write about the old geezers I actually want to read about!! :roll:)

[Jonny]

To me the internet hasn't replaced a good ol' read...

I'll agree with that whole-heartedly - but I don't tend to go to magazines or newspapers for that either... I missed out the fact that I've usually got a book with me already when I'm browsing the magazine rack :lol:

I have to admit though, that if the mag has a decent sized article/interview about something I'm interested in, and it seems to have info I don't have already, then I will buy...

Not sure I'd be judging by the same standards as you though... I'd probably be more interested in a mag filled to the brim with stuff about "old blues-rock gits and thur geetars (with a big not EC caveat)" - can't be doing with too much stuff about these modern metals chaps like Slash or Randy Rhoads, or , or... Michael Schenker... :lol: (actually, maybe that's why I got bored - I've already read most of the cr@p you could possibly write about the old geezers I actually want to read about!! :roll:)

Well I wouldn't necessarily go for reading about artists, like OK, they have come some feat to where they are now but that can all be printed on a net-biography or on there damn websites. Kudos to them.

But I want to avoid all the sheer 13-year-old Metallica Kirk's-baby-wantage and all their shitee reviews on guitars and what not. I know a magazine can't cover all but anything doesn't mean nothing either!

It's all about the newest craziest idea the people at Gibson have $%&#ed up in the guitar industry, or some Gibson artist guitar, or some Fender relic they found in an old man's cupboard. With the old man in it still.

And if they do bargain articles - what about all the bargains of the previous years? Surely a bargain would be that as well, other than the modern day new guitars that are cheap. Maybe they're changing without me knowing and I'm ranting away at the same time they're correcting to fit my very mood about reviews and all their usual cack.

Oh well.. I shall continue to browse but no more than that.

[AndyR]

It sounds like you're heading the way I did a while back...  :lol:

[gingataff]

IMHO most magazines are low calorie journalism and given my intense hatred of that "profession" I'll TRY to be fair: I read what I can in the shop to see if there is any factual information that might be worth keeping, as opposed to sycophantic reviews to keep advertisers and sponsors happy.

Usually there isn't.

Bah Humbug (and it's still almost 3 months to Christmas ;) )

[Philly Q]

I still buy Guitarist, Guitar & Bass, Guitar Player and Guitar World every month.

The internet isn't really an adequate substitute, IMO.  It doesn't have the same in-depth interviews or reviews (except when they're reproduced on the mag's own site!).  I do agree that there's sometimes a feeling that magazine reviews aren't critical enough.  GW is the worst offender, their reviews are little short of product placement.  GP has by far the most detailed reviews.

I think you learn more from a magazine, too.  Even if you don't read it cover-to-cover, you at least skim through and pick up things you weren't aware of, or read about musicians outside "your" style of music.  The internet is much more specific - you search, you read and that's it.

But anyway, in general, reading on a screen just isn't the same as reading a book or magazine.  I like having that physical thing I can carry around and keep.  Even though they do take up a lot of space....

[dave_mc]

^ agreed. I subscribe to guitarist, guitar and bass and guitar buyer. they're not perfect, not by a long shot, but they give me something to read, and if i don't subscribe i just end up buying them anyway and paying more for them... :lol: