Hi everyone, Scottish newbie thinking of ordering my first Stick. After much thought I'm fairly sure I'm looking at a 10-string with PASV-4. Considering MR or more likely DMR tuning (I play 5 and 6 string basses and also piano so like the option of that low range). Also interested in GK-3 for MIDI. Now which material to go for.....

I have read good things about the graphite Stick but the bamboo seems to be popular too and I wondered if anyone has any comments re the pros and cons of each? Is the graphite worth the extra money or will bamboo be just as good? Any other factors I should consider?

(And are there any other Scottish Stickists out there?!)

Thanks --David

Bamboo light.
Graphite heavy.

From what I understand Bamboo is very stable and I KNOW Graphite is VERY stable. (Never played a baboo Stick and I own a Graphite Grand) How is the humidity where you live? Does the weather have drastic changes in humidity? One thing I think Graphite has the advantage over WOOD is it's not effected much by changes in humidity and WOOD is. I can't comment on bamboo in regard to humidity changes however because technically bamboo is NOT wood. Graphite's resistance to humidity is something to consider however if you live in a moist climate.

Graphite does cost more though and that's a very real consideration too. ALSO from what i understand people who own bamboo Sticks love them. BUTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT people who own graphite Sticks love them too.

Soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

My input may not help in your decision making much but for what it's worth I've no doubt that regardless which way you go you'll be happy!

I own a graphite Grand 10 and there really isn't much tonal difference between my Stick and other wooden ones. I've been jamming regularly with James, who has the rosewood equivalent of my Stick and they barely sound different at all. If we choose the same pickups and play the same thing, you can hardly tell the difference! On the stability side, I seem to have to adjust my Stick just as much as he does, so I don't think there's much difference there either. Although, I have to admit we're both now using light gauge and *really* low action, so there's not much tolerance in there, hence more regular adjustments.

Therefore, I'd probably go with bamboo, for the lighter weight! And DMR tuning, of course!

EG

Funny, I almost never have to adjust my Graphite Grand. I think my action is perfectly low and even from top to bottom. I find it strange you have to adjust your so often. Perhaps I'm simply not as in tune with the movement of my action as you are? Who knows?

I'm not having to adjust often as well... in fact I can't remember the last time I did!
I describe the sound of graphite as more "snappy", with very focused note definition: as Emmett told me, like cracking nuts
Bamboo is cheaper, lighter, looks very nice (I do like the Darth Vader look of graphite!) and you can also use a Stickup, which is not an option on graphite Sticks.

One big plus of graphite if you play live is that it is very hard and resistant: my Grand was knocked down by some drunk fool and it fell on a drum set... the result was a very minor, almost invisible ding. A wooden instrument would have suffered considerable damage.

Hi David,

I have both: graphite and bamboo. Graphite is heavier than bamboo. Both are EXTREMELY stable. I took both on vacation under tropical climate (85% humidity) and had no problem at all. So yes, bamboo is as good as graphite.

Olivier

I consider the Bamboo not as wood but as a composite material; it's bamboo 'stripes' compressed and imbibed in epoxy resin. This material should be totally waterproof (within reason of course), so I expect it to be as stable as graphite (with a difference in the modulus / stiffness between the 2).
I would personally go for the bamboo here, lighter & cheaper (and with the stickup option if that is the sound you are looking) unless you want to use your instrument to smash the drummer's kit as Francesco did


Cheers, Daniel.

Moreover, it's theorically ecological and biodegradable, you can throw it away when used (Daniel, when you do this, let me know where is your bin)

I'm not sure about the environmental friendliness; bamboo is of course a renewable resource but epoxy resin is pretty much indestructible and product of heavy petrochemical... Friendly with the forests but a mess in all the other aspects. The most ecological material is wood with a certified origin of sustainable managed exploitations.

Cheers Daniel.

PS: Bruno, I'm not ready to test the biodegradability of my 10 string rosewood, but I will let you know if I change my mind