Well folks, to resuccitate an old line, in my first post to this forum, I found a Marlin Sidewinder bass today & it’s a beaut! Smooth well polished fret edges, nice p/ups – 1xsplit up front, 1xH @ bridge. All the electrics work, it’s got a pinstripe neck in maple with rosewood fretboard, and I would think it’s a solid body, not a ply. Boasts a solid stamp on the back.

I think from what I can find that this was a Welsh company, who had their guitars made in Korea by a very high end music instrument maker.

It’s way better than a couple of Squiers I looked at today!

But the bad news is in the bargain bin music shop locally (it’s called ‘cash converters’ and they puport to sell s/h equip & occasionally do, but have their own brand ‘Nevada’ which they put on new stuff) I saw a new Marlin bass (2008). Made in China, and with none of the refinement of this little beauty.

So, as ever it’s a case of ‘buyer beware’ – some are good some, quite clearly, arent!

Marc