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A fan's page dedicated to the amazing instrument called the Chapman Stick®.

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The info covered here only scratches the surface of the Stick® universe.

Here's a link to some excellent sites to enhance your knowledge and quench your curiosity.

Stick Links: This will send you to the Stick Enterprises Links page. A very informative and extensive resource.

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The headstock of my 10 string Polycarbonate with the older style nut screws.

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The bridge/tailpiece combo and stereo pickup.

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My 1988, 10 string Poly. # 2464 in it's case.

History

In 1969,a young jazz guitarist by the name of Emmett Chapman discovered an exciting new way of playing guitar.This technique involved having the player use both hands simultaneously on the neck of the guitar.The player could execute scales,chords,independant lines,bass and guitar lines at the same time.The hands were aligned
parallel to the frets.Emmett used this technique on his modified 9 string guitar and was often seen around the L.A. club circuit playing with jazz guitarist Barney Kessel during 1970. That same year Emmett built his first bodiless version of an instrument that would allow for maximum execution of his two handed playing style. He called this instrument "The Electric Stick". A modified version went into production in 1974 and was renamed "The Stick".

Fire Spinning Musical Note

El Amor es Eterno:Stick & Flute MP3

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The Instrument







The Chapman Stick® is more than just a vehicle for a certain technique.It is a paintbrush for the musical soul. Not only does it give the musician a unique voice, but the artistc freedom which it bestows on it's purveyors is as unique as the instrument itself. Imagine having the ability to play bass and guitar on one instrument! Sure, a keyboard allows you a certain level gratification in this area,but it lacks the character of the strings' abilities to bend,trill,and slur. Not since the invention of the saxaphone has a musical intrument caused so many musicians to boldly go...







At first glance, the Stick® would appear to be a rather futuristic version of a guitar. Indeed,the big screen's adaptation of Frank Herbert's "Dune" featured a young Patrick Stewart playing a baliset. A mythical instrument which was a Stick® with a couple extra scenic treatments (The music heard in the movie was Emmett Chapman himself).There are 10 and 12 string versions as well as an 8 string StickBass® and the latest addition,the NS Stick.The latter being a colaborative effort between Emmet and
Ned Steinberger
,inventor of the Steinberger Bass.







The standard tunnings are as follows:



10 string:



Melody



1st D above mid. C



2nd A down a 4th



3rd E down a 4th



4th B down a 4th



5th F# down a 4th



Bass



6th C below low bass E



7th G up a 5th



8th D up a 5th



9th A up a 5th



10th E up a 5th (same as 3rd)







The pickup is split in stereo allowing for the bass and melody strings to be processed separately.The instrument is worn upright and horizontal while being held in place by a neck strap and belt hook.This system provides an exceptionaly well balanced and fatigue free playing position and allows the hands to fall naturaly on the instruments neck.







Materials







Older Sticks were made of Ironwood. A very dense wood with exceptional preserverance to the lb. forces created by the strings.Polycarbonate was also used. Most Sticks® sold today are made from a variety of woods such as teak,tarara, and the beautiful purpleheart.Sticks® made of carbon graphite are also in continuing production runs.

Stick,Chapman Stick,The Stick,Stick Bass,NS Stick,Grand Stick,and Touchboard are federally registered trademarks of Chapman Stick Enterprises,Inc.