At the risk of being insulting (who, me?) I wonder how you'd react if I said that there appears to be a perverse streak of meanness in many musicians? I'm afraid that I'd have to include myself in this — I'm at least as guilty as the next man — but why is it that we all seem so mean over how much we'll spend on our music?

Now, before you start thinking that I've been 'got at' by a group of manufacturers who over price their equipment, please let me assure you that I haven't — far from it in fact. I'm particularly intolerant of over-priced gear.

It struck me recently, though, just how much I have spent on other hobbies apart from music. How about you? Many of us have interests in other things - photography, motorcycles, home computers, cars, sports, drinking (!) — the list goes on. But have you added up how much money you spend on them?

I don't know why it is, but when you stop to think about it most of us quibble over the extra price of a Brand A amp as opposed to a Brand B when we know in our hearts that the Brand A amp is better. But why? Yes, I know we're all short of money (and that definitely includes me!) but when music is such a passion, and when the purchase of that better keyboard, guitar, tape machine or whatever would help us achieve more from our playing, why do we begrudge the extra cost so much?

It's even more unforgivable if we have any aspirations to turning pro. A photographer in the same position will easily spend, say, £1,000 on a Hasselblad camera plus heaven knows what extra for lenses, processing gear and everything he needs to do a fully professional job. The camera is the tool of his trade and he needs the best to survive in a competitive market.

Classical musicians too spend far more on their instruments than we do. A classical guitar of the first quality will set you back several thousand pounds — yet how many professional guitarists will happily contemplate the cost of an electric at much over the £800 mark?

I'm not trying to suggest that we should all go out now and spend money we haven't got on equipment we can't afford but, particularly when we think we'd like to earn our living from music one day really we shouldn't cheat ourselves by buying less than the very best we can afford. That extra £75 can make quite a difference between two guitars and, in all the time you'll own it, the better model will always take you that bit further, give you that much more satisfaction. Maybe we could all benefit from being that little bit more devoted to buying the best and giving our music every chance it can get to succeed? Bargain prices are fine, but they should never blind us to the need for quality!

Anyway, now onto this month's big news which concerns every single MUSIC U.K. reader. Back in July's Editorial I promised news of a fantastic new scheme which we were launching for musicians. Unfortunately, due to the complexities involved in setting it up, I wasn't able to keep my promise to you and reveal all in our August issue. But now I can.

This month we're launching the MUSIC U.K. CLUB — and it's going to mean that every reader who joins (and there are already around 2,000 members whom we've contacted in advance!) is going to be getting some fantastic benefits which will help them in choosing, using and buying the best in musical equipment. Details of this tremendous new scheme are inside this issue so do make sure that you read all about the MUSIC U.K. CLUB and take up our offer of membership as soon as you can. When you read what we've cooked up for you I'm sure you'll want to take part!

The MUSIC U.K. CLUB is the most revolutionary idea that any magazine in this field has yet come up with and it's a part of our commitment to making music more profitable and enjoyable for our readers. I'm sure you'll agree it's a great new idea for every player.

Right, that's all from me for now. Here we go with this month's jam-packed issue!