Good point Daniel. My 3rd attempt of building a Stick-copy was fairly playable, the other ones ware pretty much failures. You need to build at the level of guys like Michael Tobias. All of my basses play well, but the Tobias plays ultra light without buzzing anywhere. Build a Stick-like instrument anywhere below this quality level, and it's hard to play. Especially the fretwork needs to be perfect.
It can be done, but please enjoy the building process, because you're probably going to build 2 or 3 before it works... depressing if you don't enjoy building instruments.
Jaap

Hi,

There are a few couple of reasons to try to built your own stick, people are overseeing. Both of them my case.
A- I didn't have the option where to get that quantity of money, and spend it on an instrument I didn't know if would work for me.

B- I'm located on Costa Rica so, the transportation and taxes to be paid will make increase the value of a beautifull stick in almost the double (believe me I used to work on customs and made the numbers A LOOOOOT of times).

Botton line I had experience building a couple of instruments and decided to start the journey. It was hard, it was difficult, it was frustrating sometimes, but I feel good about what got in the end.

It's true what a lot of people said "Parts cannot be buy off the shelf", I had to custom build most of the hardware, Also made some changes to respect Emmett's ideas and not to get into legal troubles, even when it's for my personal use (I also like to invent things so rip off someone else ideas is not my way).

What I tell you is if you really like it go for it, fight for it, transform the wood and metal into a wonderfull instrument as the Stick. I know my "stick" may not be as good as one from SE but it help me learn and perform. Maybe some day I'll have the chance to get a real one, but in the meantime I'll stick to mine.

Here are some pics of the building process if you want to look.
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set= ... 9007110953

Thats awesome!

cool!

Wow! Does it play as good as it looks? The talent and creativity of the people on this site never ceases to amaze me.

Hi there, I´m from Costa Rica too, I have played Jmaroto´s "stick" and I have my own original SE stick.
There are some differences, but I can tell without a doubt that jmaroto´s plays awesome, has great sound, and most important, let him the oportunity to learn how to play the stick and have some fun...
Being honest the stick being a 10, jmaroto´s is a 8.5-9!
When I first played his instrument, I was surprised, because is really well made, and i feel comfortable with it.
Obviously the SE stick is the perfect isntrument for tapping, but I think, that if someone has the ability of making a great instrument for a fraction of the price, and learn to play music with the tunning, the technique and every aspect that a stick means...he really should go for it...
I dreamed with buying a stick for 5 years, and finally I did it last year at december, but it was like a 3000$ investment, with a lot of risk, If i feel that the stick is not for me, nobody in my country would pay the ammount it worth...
Great work jmaroto!

Great work indeed

Cheers, Daniel.