cain
Hi guys
I want your views on starting a south african guitar mag, even if it just starts as an online thing ... I know some of you could help with your knowledge.
andrewjbryson
good idea!
ShotGun doing Dimarzio Pickup Reviews ?
Spyke
It can be done, online that is. Even just from a forum perspective I think we have the knowledge and necessary skills in order to be able to do it. It's just very labour intensive.
Possible obstacles:
Hosting the PDF - Price & bandwidth.
Deadlines - Assuming that content is coming in from various sources this needs to be structured.
Layout and Design - This is a minor niggle.
Advertising contracts - and the sales thereof.
Smaller things like photography and content can be addressed by an efficient editorial team.
It can be done, but will be quite labour intensive. this is also largely dependent on the frequency of the publication.
cain
I understand there would be some obstacles, but where there is a will, there is a way ...
Spyke
Most definitely, I can be done, no doubt about that.
The community-like feel and atmosphere on this forum makes it a lot easier to do than what it would ordinarily be. The wonders of technology also mean that we wouldn't even have to share office space to get it to work.
It will however require a lot of selfless dedication to a common goal and that means sacrificing time. Some of us have it and can afford to do that - those are the only ones that will be able to successfully contribute.
cain
I agree, it also pushes one to become better and you will learn allot. Currently im trying to find out who will be able to partake in this and try and make it work. All details can be discussed as soon as we have a small "team" going. You in spyke?
Spyke
I will help where I can. Editorial, copy, layout and design, photography...
My guitar / music / theory knowledge is limited at best but I know the magazine industry fairly well.
cain
Good stuff
AlanRatcliffe
P.M. me with your basic idea please Francis. I've been thinking along similar lines, basically as an extension of GFSA. I'm also married to an editor/translator/project manager/picture researcher with magazine experience. Also PM me your contact details and I can call you to discuss.
If it comes to that, hosting is not a problem - I have a reseller account, and plenty space/bandwidth, etc.
Spyke
Alan Ratcliffe wrote
P.M. me with your basic idea please Francis. I've been thinking along similar lines, basically as an extension of GFSA. I'm also married to an editor/translator/project manager/picture researcher with magazine experience. Also PM me your contact details and I can call you to discuss.
If it comes to that, hosting is not a problem - I have a reseller account, and plenty space/bandwidth, etc.
Awesome stuff. Good to hear!
Squonk
This is a very good idea.
It would be good to have a magazine that's informative and pertaining to the South African guitar scene.
Besides theory, lessons, etc, there could be information on workshops, lessons, luthiers etc
Tips on making it as a full time musician in RSA sepcifically
recording tips etc.
Good stuff ?
Spyke
The scope is almost endless. The more I think about it the more viable and exciting it seems. I'd love to see it in a print format, but that is hellish expensive. However, as a non-profit (initially) project I see no reason why it couldn't work.
Gear reviews
Advertorials
Artist interviews
Interest articles
Technical articles
Theory articles
Technique articles
Hot / Not reviews on current releases.
News & Letters
Smalls & corporates etc
The list can go on.
Banditman
Guys I think its a great idea and there's definitely the talent on tap.
If I can make a suggestion / encouragement? There tend to be two types of special interest mag. The intelligent & informative yet entertaining, and the ego-driven. If I can pick on motorcycle mags in South Africa as an example it'll help me illustrate my point - I won't be mentioning names to avoid potential upsets. Bear with me please.
There's one mag which has been around for donkey's years. It's become known (outside of its own PR I mean) as mostly trade advert-filled, with some articles written by outside contributors. The bulk of the "journalism" is made up of b.s. with very little technical info actually given, and more talk of rallies and dop than the machines being rated. That's ok to a point: Ads cover printing/website costs, and social events news in the bike community is valid. It does not however make for accurate or informative writing about motorcycle tests, used by potential buyers to evaluate a product. "Lekker" or "fast" describes blow-all.
There are several other mags (based upon UK parents usually) which do the job that mag 1 should, even though much of their reports are from UK journo's ride tests. They're far superior to Mag 1 but don't have the reader base (because 1 has a hold on trade ads) and lack a bit of South African touch.
Over to guitar mags: One of my favourites if I'm feeling flush (not earning pounds anymore) is "Guitarist". Guitar Player's another good one. They have a great blend of trade news, new product alerts, instrument and gear tests and ads. They cover all genres, not just rock or classical exclusively. Lacking a huge reader base in S.A. such versatility would give you a broader readership than a narrow focus would. If you can create a South African -flavoured mag of the same quality and approach then I think you'll be on the right track. To have an intelligent, informative report or rating is what potential buyers are after. Throw in a gig guide / feedback report and perhaps some artist profiles and hey, I'll be subscribing.
And while reading about Andersons, Lowdens etc. makes us all drool I think it'd be good business sense to do comparative testing on guitars in the low-intermediate brackets for those youngsters/starters/parents looking for a first-time or upgrade buy. For example compare & rate several accoustics, Strat-types or hardtail 'bucker electrics in a certain price bracket - focussed on the models you can buy in S.A. Do the same thing with amps, pedals, software. An article series on mic'ing amps for live gigs or a pub muso's start-up guide (thinking of Dave's post under GEAR here). An article on basic gear needs for a new band. Perhaps some tab/technique lessons in various genres.
If you guys can blend quality comparable to the industry standards with a South African flavour, not a copy-cat? Brilliant.
TomCat
Excellent Idea...especially when one has to part with more than R150.00 for the overseas mags.
There is certainly enough knowledge and expertise in this forum to make something work.
Biggest challenge is time......
Lacuna-ZA
This is a brilliant idea! I'd definately support something like this. I tend to skep the R120 - R150 euro magazines unless there is something really special about it. While I think doing a print version would be awesome, I think it might be a big step (financially) and make it somewhat harder. If you do electronically, I think its a great way to build up a fanbase as well as solid reputation.
I've done some work for local gaming magazines, so if I can help, please gimme a shout.
Still, I'd easilly fork out R50 a month for decent, relevant guitar mag each month.
Lethe
If we are looking at printed magazines, it's going to be hard to keep it going. I often see SA music or musician/drummer/ guitarist mags, but they never seem to last. People have no incentive to buy an SA mag over an international mag with experienced and well known tutors/ columnists. So keeping it online will probably be a good idea until we can build up a name to ensure people would spend money on it.
TomCat
In my books online is the way to go.
I get a number of electronic magazines from UK/Europe......This format works very well.
Banditman
Lethe wrote
If we are looking at printed magazines, it's going to be hard to keep it going. I often see SA music or musician/drummer/ guitarist mags, but they never seem to last. People have no incentive to buy an SA mag over an international mag with experienced and well known tutors/ columnists. So keeping it online will probably be a good idea until we can build up a name to ensure people would spend money on it.
Very relevant point - credibility. You'll have to fight against the South African prejudice against things South African which arguably started during the '70s-80s cultural embargo years: the attitude that local was 2nd rate & overseas meant better. Stay the course through that (and online's the most logical answer) and you'll be fine. Building the rep takes time and high standards but once its done, off you fly.
Spyke
Banditman wrote
Guys I think its a great idea and there's definitely the talent on tap.
If I can make a suggestion / encouragement?
<snip>
If you guys can blend quality comparable to the industry standards with a South African flavour, not a copy-cat? Brilliant.
I hear you wholeheartedly, and I know exactly who you're referring to. We've seen the same thing in the automotive sector.
It's a fine line between generic, manufacturer drivel and quality, educated opinion. We also battle with comparative / competitive advertising in SA too - give a bad review and they'll pull their advertising. Pity really, but in this day and age it's understandable.
Finding a target audience and catering for them would be best, I think. As much as one would love to embrace all genres and demographics it's a recipe for disaster. People won't buy into a 'magazine' where only two pages appeal to them.
Right now, I don't have any intention of actually selling it. (listen to me, talking like it's my idea! Sorry Frans! hehehe!)
Let's rephrase. A free online publication where the advertising covers the production / hosting costs is a winner in my book - at least to start with.
DonovanB
I think someone's already beat you to it.
free in music stores.
If you're thinking along the lines of what we see in mags like Guitarist, and Guitar Techniques I don't think we have enough talent to review, nor enough teachers willing to give a free lesson or two for the magazine's sake. You would have to focus on international info as well to fill it.
This magazine is fairly thin anyway, albeit for a first issue.
