It all started with seeing my new 10-string rosewood Stick arrive on Monday evening, 12/29/14. I unpacked and lifted the instrument right out, plugging into a Mac/amp rig, and then off I travelled. I had half day to full day practice sessions - the first times I had ever played a Stick, next - a very cool first jam with my "jamming band"'s guitarist (who had just picked up a new Native Instruments "rhythm machine"), and -finally- discovering other goodies from Stick Enterprises just today (I had rushed right past looking over receipts or other contents before)!.
As far as my first impressions go with the instrument: I wish I had been playing this instrument 20+ years ago! I love the tone, feel, expression, the precision, and endless versatility I have at my fingertips. The sensitivity and range of the PASV-4 is well worth it from my standpoint, as a guy who is not entirely sure where his band's music will fall, sonically-speaking. The range and sensitivity of the PASV-4 simply sounds very impressive in practice, even with minimal equipment. Yes, learning certain chords will be tough to learn and getting use to the fifths tuning on the bass side is interesting, but this all contributes to a brand new array of artistic opportunity that I have not come across in, well, forever... Hand independence is already building and I feel "comfortable" with picking up reading the Stick tablature and doing arrangements. Having said all of this: I am a novice and 1/2 on this instrument, while I feel ready/able to learn.
I have a very basic set up for the Stick, consisting of my Mac (or iPhone/iPad) running Studio One, an Alesis I/O hub, and a 50W Marshall guitar amplifier that I typically play with a Strat or an Ibanez bass at low volumes. I'm thinking of going for the Line6 POD HD500X as a home and "jamming" rig, while adding a simple stereo Roland keyboard amp shortly. Also, I need to pick up the Roland GR-55 or similar at some point, as a planned expansion, though MIDI might be even more of an after-thought based on what I hear so far. Gear is cool and I will need more/better gear for certain sounds and performance (eventually), but all of that is secondary to the learning that I need to undertake.
Many thanks to those reading this and to Mr. Emmett Chapman and Stick Enterprises for a great purchasing experience. Some first pictures of my new 10-string rosewood Chapman Stick are below. Enjoy!
Sincerely,
Chris Anderson