JPAC

Mmm that would be nice. Just the cute ones though. [i]Kidding[/i]. Don't know much about NZ really so it would be interesting to see a few street photos to compare it with the UK. My junior school teacher in the 60's said they made 25 tons of butter at a time there and it freaked her out. The Co-Op bought Somerfields recently and closed my local supermarket so now I have to shop in a different supermarket, all very strange, and more expensive. A lot of young people here don't even bother with insurance, the 18 yr old apprentice mechanic in my street just had a 15 year old Renault Clio that cost £2,500 to insure. £100 to buy. Tomtom just released an update for NZ maps if you have one, very useful. One guy I was an apprentice with wanted to go to NZ but they wanted £100,000 in savings to allow him in.

[quote name='Crazykiwi' post='498383' date='May 26 2009, 11:30 PM']Hi everyone, I made it over in one piece! No sign of swine flu, plus I had a great stop over in food-tastic Bangkok and my family were there to meet me at the airport. Things seem a load more positive here than in the UK, by comparison people here so far seem optimistic and perhaps a little grateful that NZ hasn't been stung by the credit crunch as badly as the UK. It's a stark contrast to the cynicism and bitterness being played out in the media and political arenas in the UK at the moment and very refreshing, I have to say. People who I've caught up with are all telling me I made the right decision in coming back and the level of support here is quite touching. For example, I was chatting to a woman who runs a shop in Chch that imports english food items. I noted that she'd imported packs of McVities caramel chocolate digestives (very moreish) and she offered me a free pack! I can't imagine that ever happening in the UK. I'd also forgotten how cheap it was to live here. While food is about the same cost as the UK, other living costs like car insurance seem incredibly cheap. My father pays $500 (£200) a year to insure his 4 year old Honda Accord fully comprehensive and I've been made an additional driver for no extra charge! Haircuts can be had for $10 (thats about £4). There's also a greater range of property prices being offered by estate agents. While houses can be as expensive as the UK (and much larger) at the upper end of the market, there are more cheaper properties around for first time buyers to pick up too.[/quote] Never mind all that, tell us about the sheep, the sheep!

If you've had more than one bass guitar, what made you change to your current one? If you're happy with your current one, what model is it and will you keep it? What would be your main reason to change, if any? Noob curiousity.

SX usually get a good review on US bass sites but I've never seen one so I can't say. Difficult to find a cheaper bass now. That particular one does look smart though.

I think I like New Zealand, they just give you loads of money! [i]"Police in New Zealand are searching for a couple who disappeared after a banking blunder deposited NZ$10m (£3.9m, US$6m) in their account. The couple had applied for a NZ$10,000 overdraft but received NZ$10m in their business account instead, part of which they withdrew, local media report. They are said to have run a service station in Rotorua, North Island. Police believe the couple have left the country and Interpol has been alerted for assistance. "[/i] [url="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/8060681.stm"]http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/8060681.stm[/url]

Wilkinsons (Wilko's) have a 4 pack of microfibre cleaning cloths for £2, decent size and washable too.

Very interesting, three greetings eh? Have to watch and see how this develops. Hi Grant.

Haven't got an exact model to suggest but I remember watching an interview with Billy Sheehan, when he went through what he wanted from a bass with a Yamaha custom shop technician, the pros and cons of various necks and materials. I think there was something to do with carbon fibre and de-tuner but I can't find a link now. It's been interesting reading what people want though. (Might have a nice little RBX170 if you really cant decide). Good luck.

[quote name='Balcro' post='488753' date='May 15 2009, 12:14 PM']I'm late to this game so I don't know anything of the earlier stuff. I think I prefer the streamlined look of the current basses. It's got to be the SR4000E Prestige. Beautiful clean simplicity, mahogany body for deep lows, mono-rail bridge and finished in "stained red". Unfortunately they're about 1500 Euro's. Lesser GAS for the SR500. Very similar body, but I can't stand the dark brown mahogany colour even if it is £1000 cheaper than the 4000E. Now if it were in a reddish mahogany, hmmm? Don't like the gothic horn on the BTB series although the shape makes a good handle and consequently the top strap pin is in an almost perfect position. Balcro.[/quote] Just got a SR500, in some lights it looks a little 'cherry red', but I suppose it depends on the wood. Tan strap. Enc pic with colour chart.

Hulk? Incredible bulk maybe, I'll not press so hard then. I wondered about that clicking, so that'll stop after a while? Very interesting, ta.

Had a look round today and the worst prices for Duracell are about £6.50 for ultra, £5.50 for Plus and most ask £3-£4.50 each. In Maplins they told me Uniross have gone bust and any batteries for sale will be clearance, had a look on the net and there's still plenty for sale. [i] news today "Eveready is looking to acquire a minimum of an 80% stake in Uniross for $13.65 million." [/i] Pound shop had three Procells for £1. Looked different than the ones I've seen before. I think I'll go for the Uniross Hybrio PP3 with charger for £11.99 inc Vat delivered, unless anyone knows a better deal. If I don't use the bass for a while it should have a little juice for an hour or so, if I leave the plug in and the battery dies, just charge it up again. Not sure if they are anti-leak. Thanks for your help, John. Edit: plug not jack

Do strings need some use to flex a little to reach optimum sound? I read that they 'go off' after much use, dirt in the windings? true/false? Also, when pressing on the strings near the fret, does the string actually touch the fretboard? TIA, John.

It says it's open to offers, offer 'em a quid, you never know.

Web-developer is a good add-on for web site building. [url="http://chrispederick.com/work/web-developer/"]http://chrispederick.com/work/web-developer/[/url] Consider a subtle background and btw most young people work in metric now.

[quote name='chris_b' post='485259' date='May 11 2009, 06:56 PM']It's based around 1 4 5 in G for the verse and Bb for the chorus. You should be able to work it out from there.[/quote] Could you translate for a total noob, I understand the G and Bb, 1 4 5 ? Any tabs or Guitar Pro tabs? It does sound an easy song to learn.

Not sure how long it would take me to use 30 batteries but something to bear in mind, thanks. I'll check out the pound shop, I know the manager of our local one, I'll check what they've got. That makes sense about the voltage drop, I wonder if the lithium ones would be OK, they are 9.6V, 0.6V higher than normal. I have a feeling I'll forget to unplug the cord and drain the battery.

...2009, any update for PP3 deals or offers now? 7Day shop has 2 Duracells pack for £3.49. Do rechargeables distort the output?

This is a song that I like and want to learn, any help appreciated. TIA [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8s8l75Oxf1U"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8s8l75Oxf1U[/url]

Well you did ask... Musicman Stingray - Looks like a banjo. Status - At least they don't look like they're from the 50's, hint of Formula 1. Warwick - Touch of thalidomide about 'em. Gibson Thunderbird - Quadrilateral theme. Fender - The guitar name. Yamaha - Great build quality until they break. Ibanez - Lotto purchase, the well made ones are great.

OK, this poll tells me nothing apart from it's OK to take your time. I do have a very bad short term memory which isn't helping but on the plus side I changed my bass today to an Ibanez SR500. It's lighter and I am happier with it, so I now have more incentive to practise. It's only a hobby for me, everyone asks me when I'm going to be a rock star, but I just want to play bass - no pressure. I'm a little bit puzzled by the last few posts but you all make it sound good - right?

Thanks, that's what I was hoping to hear. Starting from scratch is frustrating, sometimes I can get it right, the next time it all goes wrong. Early days.

Thanks for all your replies, it's just seeming to take a long time for me to get started that's all.