Cato

I can't imagine this with anything else

The Chili Peppers turned up before they were famous in 1986's Tough Guys with Kirk Douglas.

Apart from promotional work I doubt 'Mr 335' Larry Carlton will be seen playing his recent Sire skinny stringer range that much, particularly not the HSS Strat or Les Paul inspired versions. I don't think it's that kind of endorsement. It's more of a 'I'm happy to put my name on Sire guitars because they're a quality brand' than 'I could play any instrument I want and I choose Sire' kind of deal.

Of course there's plenty of 'old school' Metallica fans who hated the original 'Enter Sandman' and the entire Black album as the moment Metallica 'sold out'. I think it's inevitable that 'classic' songs are going to get reworked and reinterpreted into other styles and genres. It's hardly a new phenomenom. I remember going through my my parents record collection in the early 80s and finding this absysmal swing cover of 'Mrs Robinson' by Frank Sinatra complete with altered lyrics.

Marlin basses and guitars from the late 80s/early 90s weren't great instruments, quite a few lads I knew had them as starters when we were at school. Today's budget instruments are in a different league. As others have said find out if he has any idea what style of bass he likes, aesthetics are important, of he likes the look and feel of the instrument he's going to be more inclined to pick it up and play. There will be a good budget option available on most styles of bass.

Always liked the look of these and this looks like a particularly fine example. Enjoy.

I quite like the idea of the acoustasonic, I can see it coming into it's own for people who like to make loops. But at the same time you could get a lot of the way there with a solid body electric with EQ and drive pedals.

Different topic but I think sometimes you get a band or genre that gets huge success after a few releases that not many people noticed, not because they've sold out, but because the 'mainstream' itself shifts to embrace them. I'd certainly put Nirvana in that category.

GAS is a funny thing. I've been happy with my bass set up for a few years, it covers everything I'm ever likely to want to do. But recently I've been thinking about getting a Mustang and putting flats on it. I already have 3 basses I could put flats on, not including the fretless which already has flats and there's an unopened pack of Labella James Jamersons sitting in my spares box. I also have no need for a shortscale bass, none of my current basses give me any reach or weight problems. But part of my brain is still telling me to buy a Mustang and a £50 pack of special Labella Mustang flats.

I've just discovered Throttle Elevator Music, they're definitely not a reggae band, more of a jazz group that crosses into other genres. Anyway just heard this on the 'Emergency Exit' album and really liked it.

I like it. It's a definite step up from my V7 headstock . Although I have to say that 's grown on me somewhat over the couple of years I've had the bass.

I'd say 3mm is fine. I wouldn't be too worried about adjusting the truss rod or action at this stage, just enjoy getting to know your new instrument. Nice bass by the way, the quality and features available at the lower end of the price spectrum are pretty jaw dropping these days.

Forget the above. This video covers what the switches do and shows the positions for each setting.

This is from the Andrtons M5 page Powerful Pickups Sire basses are known for emitting sounds that far outweigh their modest price-points, and the M5 is no exception. Marcus Pure Humbucker Advanced active pickups deliver a thick and powerful sound, projecting plenty of low-end, a meaty mid-range and articulate highs. Want to go for more of a traditional, passive pickup sound? No problem, just use the toggle switch to flick between active and passive modes, and use the two additional switches to engage/disengage the front and rear pickups.

Are they definitely 3 position? I'd expect the active/passive switch to be 2 way as it is on my V7, I can't think what a third option would be. The pickup selectors would make sense if they were on/off, again I can't really think what the third option would be.

There's a diagram for the M7 controls here. Presumably they're the same on the M5.

Got mine a couple of days ago. Just waiting for a new purchase next month before I attach them...

Someone's sleeping outside tonight..... ....... it's me, isn't it?

You're getting nothing until you apologise for throwing up in my walking boots this morning.

Is that you Tiddles?

I've got a cat, which is pretty much the same thing, only less subtle.

Leo Fender had something similar which he used throughout his career to experiment with pickup positions.

This caugh my attention on the radio today. Not least because it's one of those lines that I'm 90% sure is either a synth or programmed but every now and then there's some articulation (is that the right word?) that makes me think it might be a genuine bass guitar with a synth effect.

Wise words.