Hello all!

Discovered the stick back in high school many years ago, and if all goes right with shipping my used 10 string railboard will be in my hands sometime on Tuesday. Super excited to join the community.

Ideally would like a 12 string sometime in the future, but 10 will have to do for now

I have been playing guitar and bass for over 10 years, keys for about 9, and most recently drums when people are desperate. Went to college for music education and love myself some jazz theory.
Have basically been listening to Bob Culbertson and Kevin Keith on repeat for the past few weeks to keep myself satiated during my stickwait.

Look forward to making music with all of you in the near future!

P.S. Quick question. I love the Culbertson tone, any idea if I will be able to get anything similar with the railboard? The possible metallic tone has me a little anxious compared to the clean warm tone I love from jazz guitar and from Culbertson. Thanks!

The “body “ material does not make that much difference . The pickup is the more interesting factor. there are a few YouTube videos with the railboard by Greg and Kevin . One with Greg in particular is useful. If you want to hear the various tones available on the railboard. Search for ‘Greg Howard R block pickup’ in YouTube. A lot of how you’ll sound is in your technique too. Just like any other instrument. You’ll probably sound clanky at first. Practice and familiarity will make that go away. Some Skype lessons with one of the experts will help a lot in that regard.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

If you have any doubts about the quality of tone that the Railboard is possible of delivering, see any of Rod Serrao's videos.

The tone is in your hands, let the tone out.

And welcome =)

Hey Gene, thanks for the tip about Rod Serrao. He has never shown up on any of my railboard searches before. Sounds great and helps put my mind at ease. Also, thanks for all the work around the FHF posts on Youtube. Very helpful when looking for more info about the instrument.

All part of the plan good sir. I do so miss making those vids.

Rod likened the Railr to an electric instrument and his wood 12-string to an acoustic instrument. I can relate to that.

I have always thought of the Railboard as a more masculine version of the instrument and the wood Sticks as feminine.

You can spin that any way you like, just my 2 cents =)

Welcome! Like many here said, the tone of the Railboard is entirely in your hands. It does have a more clunky sound to it if you just listen to it acoustically, but that's not how it's meant to be played. Plug 'er in, and you'll hear that warm tone that's just butter. And it sounds better in hands that have played with it for a while, like any instrument.

As for the male/female, Railboard/Wooden dichotomy, I think of the Railboard as aluminum, and the wooden Sticks as wood. Wait, that's not much of a metaphor at all. But it's very true in how they feel, and to a small degree, sound.

I went to music school too and play a few instruments, as do quite a few of us. Most Stick players are not playing Stick as their very first instrument. Some, of course.

Anyway, welcome to the forum, and good luck with your new Stick!