Welcome to Thunder Row, where bassists from around the world connect, collide, confer, conference, compose, collude, and communicate!
Don't be shy, jump on in!



Roy's Blog




*Teach Me Bass Guitar, the most comprehensive, effective, and entertaining program of bass instruction anywhere. Guaranteed.
www.teachmebassguitar.com


Free Sample Lessons
Sign up for THUNDERFIST: Your FREE bass tip excerpts from TMBG - the most fun, effective self-paced video instruction for bass guitar ever created!
Your Name*:
Your Email*:
(*We will not share this information.)

SocialTwist Tell-a-Friend

myspace myspace
myspace myspace

 


  • And the Winner is...!

    #2. No Bass, No Beatles!

    Your opinions (and suggestions) have been most deeply appreciated. And, unlike the government - which also appreciates opinions and suggestions - we're actually going to follow your advice. Meaning, "No Bass, No Beatles," modified slightly as you see here, will be appearing in the January issue of Bass Player Magazine.



    Now, the gnomes had another idea. "What if TMBGers designed the ad?"

    While I find it difficult not to suspect they're simply trying to get out of doing the work for which we underpay them, I must admit, it's a cool idea. So, how about it? What we're looking for is a sketch (you can do it on paper and scan it or do it in your favorite graphics program and scan/export as a .pdf.) with your idea for Headline, Body text, and Tagline as well as the graphics and/or photo you'd like to use. Don't worry, it doesn't have to be anything fancy. All entries have to be in by January 15th and will be posted on Thunder Row for members and visitors to vote on for two weeks. The winning ad will be turned over to the gnomes who will convert it to magazine-ready art.

    Remember, the purpose of the ad is twofold: get folks to order TMBG or go to our website. And will the winner get a prize? Oh, yes. We'll have more about that later.

    Submit your entry to elmeaux@thelearningdock.com

    Thanks, and have fun! We look forward to seeing what you come up with!
    David
    Comments 21 Comments
    1. Alexer47's Avatar
      Alexer47 -
      My vote would be for #2. No one is more influential then The Beatles.
    1. line6bassman's Avatar
      line6bassman -
      I vote for No. 2 also!! I think everyone knows the Beatles are should know them,
      and would get more people knowing about Roy and TMBG!! So No. 2 no doubt about it!!!
    1. DONNIE B's Avatar
      DONNIE B -
      i vote for number two. the Beatles where probably the first band that i fell in love with as a young man. and that bass that PAUL carried was so cool . so number two for me please.long live T.M.B.G. AND THUNDER ROW.
    1. Elmeaux's Avatar
      Elmeaux -
      Definitely #2. What a statement!!
    1. TobiasMan's Avatar
      TobiasMan -
      # 2 for me as well, but I would put #3 a close second. The Beatles connection is right on the money, but I kinda like the feel of the image in#3.
    1. DONNIE B's Avatar
      DONNIE B -
      Quote Originally Posted by TobiasMan View Post
      # 2 for me as well, but I would put #3 a close second. The Beatles connection is right on the money, but I kinda like the feel of the image in#3.
      iam ,with you TOBAISMAN I also really like number 3 was a hard pick . but the Fab Four won out.
    1. Basslad's Avatar
      Basslad -
      Although #3 certainly deserves it, #2 does the trick. "No Bass, No Beatles" for me.
    1. ShawnHaley's Avatar
      ShawnHaley -
      I know all of us "old Folks" prefer #2 as it reminds us of our youth but given that all or most of the ads in guitar mags are colorful and jam packed with images, I think number 1 (evolve) with is simplicity and white space would be more effective and that is what we are looking for. IMO, we want the ad to be effective (rather than nostalgic).
    1. PaulUK's Avatar
      PaulUK -
      Depending on the demographic, The Beatles may have different levels of relevance and resonance, both good and bad.

      Number 2 definitely appeals most to me, but I am a 52 year old man who takes some of his music references from The Beatles, even though they were before my time.....

      I definitely wouldn't have taken any such references from the music my parents listened to.......

      (I'm impressed that it is a left-handed Hohner bass though!).

      As regards impact, I broadly agree with Shawn, above. I would also add that I find the orange on black text lacks clarity. In fact, any colour text on black I feel tends to sacrifice legibility for effect, unless it is a bold font.

      That said though, number 1 is not quite there yet; the TMBG logo and a price would be a good idea, I suggest.....
    1. debitcred1's Avatar
      debitcred1 -
      Number 2 for me too. Looks like a landslide!
    1. Elmeaux's Avatar
      Elmeaux -
      As most of us know, TMBG has been most appealing to older folks. Though Roy has some younger students in his online roster, the majority lies among the more mature crowd.

      So the question is: (Knowing that older people are attracted to the course), do we encourage it through memories of the Beatles, or do we change up to something modern that might draw more young folks into our midst?
    1. stantonl's Avatar
      stantonl -
      Is it just me or does #4 look like a guitar?

      Oh and for the record, I kind of like #1, although #2 is a bold statement!
    1. Chris Howard's Avatar
      Chris Howard -
      I would say definitely #2...Regardless of age if you picked up a bass you know who Paul is and his importance/contributions to the Low End!
    1. Silverfox's Avatar
      Silverfox -
      I worked for a newspaper in my younger days and also sold advertising for said paper. White space is very effective in drawing attention to the ad. I know the others are attractive but the simplicity of #1 may be what gets the most attention, which is what we are after I would think.
    1. Bassix's Avatar
      Bassix -
      #3 for me with #2 a close second. The image of a professional bassist with his bass comfortably in hand seems to jell with the slogan "When you're really ready to play!" at the bottom of the ad.
    1. Parmenas's Avatar
      Parmenas -
      I like #4 the best but i'ts just too dark and i don't think it will command too much attention. I think #2 will be the most effective. My vote is for #2!
    1. ShawnHaley's Avatar
      ShawnHaley -
      Quote Originally Posted by Elmeaux View Post
      As most of us know, TMBG has been most appealing to older folks. Though Roy has some younger students in his online roster, the majority lies among the more mature crowd.

      So the question is: (Knowing that older people are attracted to the course), do we encourage it through memories of the Beatles, or do we change up to something modern that might draw more young folks into our midst?
      I think it goes without saying that if the goal is to sell the product, one must aim for the broadest possible market. Appealing to a younger crowd then is absolutely necessary. Also, I think the majority who are voting for #2 are doing so because it reminds them of their youth. The question that should be asked is NOT whether you like the image or not. The question is which of the 4 will sell more of the product. As stated earlier, I think that is image #1.
    1. Silverfox's Avatar
      Silverfox -
      Well ShawnHaley, looks like you and I are the only "1's" that picked number 1. People are generally lazy when it comes to reading ads, if it looks too involved or too much data they tend to skip over it. As georgeous as the other ads are I still think something simple, easy to spot and easy to remember is going to do the trick.
    1. Basslad's Avatar
      Basslad -
      I asked my 15 year old son to decide. As myself, he picked #2. He also mentioned the effectiveness of white space in #1, and liked #3. As for #4, at first glance, it looked to him like a piano. I got that impression with #4 as well. On a side note, I’d like to mention that I’m 53 and the Beatles were before my time. As for #1, it’s just too annoying to look for the info in the vastness of white space, simply too much of it compared to the content.
    1. Bassic Bill's Avatar
      Bassic Bill -
      #2 is the most appealling for me.
  • Latest Videos

    Donohoe & Grimes Do Up Some Floyd

    Publish Date: September 26, 2014, 10:15 am


    Read More Read More


  • Bass Tips

    Beginning Bass Lessons

    Publish Date: July 25, 2015, 1:00 pm


    Read More Read More


  • Ads