Welcome!

I had an NS/Stick for a few years, I would say get that if you want to use all techniques (tapping, plucking, strumming) and an 8 string if you want a highly optimized instrument specifically for tapping.

The retractable damper on the NS is great if you want the open strings to ring out when you're playing it like a normal bass (you'll probably need a lighter touch than you may be used to since the string action needs to also be low enough for tapping).

I happen to have both, and ultimately the decision rest on what you are intending to do as far as your music goes.

My NS is used in more "normal" situations, as I have it tuned in a fairly comprable tuning which works well with most types of music.

My SB-8 on the other hand is a very exciting instrument from a rythym standpoint, as it is set up literally as two bass guitars, one tuned in 4ths and one tuned in 5ths.

I think this was Grace's idea for me, and it took about a year for it to really click into my head to where as soon as I saw a used on on Stick Enterprises, I jumped on it asap.

But again, that's a very specialized instrument - where I feel my NS is more for real nice melodies, and the retractable mute means anything goes.

Of course, I have a new RB-8 under construction, which will be set up in a crafty tuning... and that's a whole 'nother topic for discussion.........

So, I suppose listening and seeing what people are doing via youtube with either instrument might be a good way to go from an inspirational standpoint, but even better would be if more folks here on Sticklist provide more input for you...

....and welcome !!

My own opinion - 8 strings is plenty when playing with a group of musicians, but for solo/duo work then 10 and even 12 becomes more useful, although for me I'll be focusing on my 8 string Sticks for a long time to come.

This is a good resource.

I'll get scorched for this but my thinking is: The NS and the 8 string Stick are both essentially an 8 string bass in 4ths that can be tapped. And there's nothing wrong with that. A lot of Stick players come from bass and I can see the desire to stay in their comfort zone. To me though, the range and harmonic elbow room provided on a 10 or 12 string Stick in 4ths/5ths tuning is what you need if you want to really self accompany, stretch out and maximize what two hands can accomplish.

What Rob said, for sure... Also, consider a Ten String Grand, tuned in Dual Bass reciprocal. I too have been a bass player all of my life... I have a 12 string Grand tuned in Classic High Bass 4ths and am soon to aquire a Wenge 12 string grand I am going to have tuned in that Dual Bass tuning!. Welcome aboard!

I'm 62, a bass player, got a Stick in '85, got sober and a 12-string Dual Bass Reciprocal in '08. I have 4 basses and 2 guitars hanging on the wall in my room. But it's the DBR that is played every day. Just sayin'.
Just adding P.S. When I pick up a bass I play like a bassist. When I pick up the Stick I explore the possibilities of fingers on strings. It is such an inspiration. I'm not that good but even the simplest of things make me smile ear-to-ear. It's the Coolest Instrument In The World and when people ask me what I play I say the CHAPMAN Stick.

Everything said so far is true to the experience of the users. That is a confusing way of saying
that it is a subjective "experience" and a subjective choice.
I came to the NS after playing the Stick for a number of years. I had to find out what it was like . I said to myself in the first few minutes
of playing the NS that "I never would have learned the Stick if I had one of these". I think that gut
reaction was because of years of guitar playing before the Stick.

So what Rob is referring to, your known techniques, and more importantly muscle memory
will be right there, but just requiring a lighter touch. Even though I love the NS, I think that at
least in part, it was designed for people who found the Stick too much trouble. The Stick is such a unique instrument that it is in the Smithsonian . The free hands technique is a new way of playing music, unique and sublime. The choice is obvious; both...

jRj
*j*
.~

More strings isn't harder

I made the mistake of thinking that way when I was first looking.

The NS is a fantastic instrument and if you're looking to expand your bass or guitar playing, I don't think you could do better. Look up Don Schiff or Gary Jibilian and listen to what they do with it.

If you're looking for a new instrument and a new way to play, the 10 or 12 string Stick is the way to go. You simply can't really get the full benefit of the traditional style of Stick playing with eight strings.

Personally, I think that 12 vs 10 just provides more overlap which, if you're wanting to do solo song arrangements, is better so my advice is coming out of the starting gate with 12-strings. I just don't think it's any harder than 10 but I know there are those that disagree with me so take it for what it's worth.

Hmmmm. Well that isn't an uncommon tale and was part of the inspiration behind the "Ten String Grand". An instrument that provides the benefits of the traditional Stick playing style with slightly wider string spacing.

My fingers are long and thin so I can't speak from any kind of experience. I would hope that some other "short stubby finger guys" might chime in. I know the string spacing on the TSG is slightly smaller than that of an SB8. The NS/Stick actually overlaps it. At the nut, the spacing on an NS is very slightly smaller than that of a Ten String Grand but then the spacing opens up and is wider at the bridge. Pretty comparable overall though.