Hisashi Sasaki told me once that tatsuya yoshida watches for guitarists and gets them to play bass, rather than recruiting bassist. they also all tend to play small, guitar-like basses. i think that explains something of yoshida getting the sound he wants. why they come and go like they do is another question. kg _________________________________________________________________ MSN Toolbar provides one-click access to Hotmail from any Web page – FREE download! http://clk.atdmt.com/AVE/go/onm00200413ave/direct/01/