Welcome,and enjoy the journey.

Steve Z!

Welcome welcome!

You know it's an interesting time for new stickists, the long wait before the instrument arrives. What instrument have you decided on?

The reason I ask, is that you can look at the stick tuning diagrams and begin to visualise simple shapes like a scale or basic triads. If your brain can naturally make that conceptual jump, then it may be of help.

Many musicians talk about mental practice as being an important part of their musical lives...

Looking forward to hearing your sounds in the fullness of time.

Congrats. May I make a recommendation. I assume your new Stick is a few months away. Perhaps search for a used Stick now. Fairly priced yet always quality. You can practice and get acquainted on this instrument. When the new one is ready resell the used one which will hold its value. You've basically rented a Stick in the interim. Of course you might opt to keep them both.
Just a suggestion that some of my students have done successfully. Good luck with your new adventure.
Steve Adelson

+1 on Lee's suggestion.

I was lucky enuff when I ordered my first new stick that Stick Enterprises had a used Alto in stock, which I snarfed up. I used the Alto for practice for several months until my new stick was done, then later traded it in on another stick.

Thanks to everyone for the welcoming and informative replies. My order form requested a 10-string wooden stick with deep baritone tuning. I then received an email from Emmett (responding to an email which predated my order) suggesting a 10-string Railboard with raised reciprocal tuning. I’m inclined now to go with his recommendation, based on much that I’ve read on this forum.
I am curious, about the timeline at this point: How long before I might receive my confirmation call? Before they will request the deposit? Before the instrument will be completed and delivered? I feel like a kid waiting for Christmas!
I’ve been looking for used equipment in the meantime, and have been diligently studying chord structures and finger positions in anticipation of going “hands on.” Also watching and listening to everything I can find online.
Keep the journey as exciting as the destination!

Your wait time may be longer than usual because of the COVID. My rule of thumb is to get an estimate from Stick Enterprises, then double it. It you are told 4 months; then it most likely will take 8 months. I don't find the wait unreasonable since these are custom-made instruments. I had a classical guitar made for me years ago, which took over a year to make.

Ask SE about the beams that are already in stock and pick one of those. This matters more when buying wood sticks. If only Rosewood, Oak and Maple are in stock, select one of those. This won't matter to you since you are getting a Railboard (good choice).