Once a year, though, we ask for your help in a way that’s far more specific. Your assignment? The BASS PLAYER Readers’ Choice Awards. Last year, we revived and expanded what was once called the BP Readers Poll because we realized that the articles and opinions we publish all year long only paint part of the picture. Your voice completes it.
So: What are the coolest new basses, amps, effects, and gadgets to worm their way into your slice of the collective consciousness during 2008? Who are the most inspiring players whose creativity and craft made you consider the possibilities? Lastly, which cover story, full song transcription, lesson, and online feature made you most glad to be a BP reader?
Let your voice be heard. To cast your vote, head to bassplayer.com, click on the Readers’ Choice Awards link, and answer the questions on each page. A few guidelines: First, one ballot per voter please. And yes, our web refs know how to ensure we all play fair. Second, be as specific as possible. If you think your new Europe Series Spector 4-string is the bees knees, make sure we know whether it’s a Euro4LX, Euro4LX-EX, Euro4LX-35, or one of the Rebop models. Similarly, there are lots of basses called Fender Jazz; make sure our vote-counting Oompa-Loompas know whether you mean the Standard Jazz Bass, American Standard, Deluxe, American Vintage ’75 Jazz, Geddy Lee Signature, and so forth. Same goes for every category: Don’t simply write Ernie Ball if your favorite string set is Ernie Ball Hybrid Slinky Nickel Wound. We’ll toss out votes where the intended selection is unclear. The occasional search-and-click for name confirmation may take everyone a few extra minutes, but the result—a more accurate zeitgeist read—will be valuable for everyone.
To get the mental juices squeezing, we’ve listed the categories at right. We’ll start tallying the results in mid February and publish the winners list in the May ’09 issue. Manufacturers who win receive spiffy looking trophies and a year’s worth of bragging rights. As for the magazine categories, the responsible staffer gets a beverage and meal courtesy of the boss, possibly even at a restaurant that’s not equipped with a drive-thru. Thanks for your input! We’ll see you in ’09.