Hey there. I discovered the Stick yesterday and I'm totally enthralled. My own musical background is pretty limited - I self taught some guitar for a couple years back in college.

I love the sound, the capabilities, and what I imagine it's like to play. I'm going to spend some time learning and listening over the upcoming... I dunno... months? Years? before I decide to take the plunge.

So that's about it... I'm brand new here and learning new stuff about the Stick left and right.

One question - Since it uses light taps, how much noise is produced acoustically? (i.e. would I bother my wife if I practiced in the same room with headphones on while she watched TV or something?)

Hope to join you players soon!

-- Dan

If you play very soft, she'll hardly hear anything. But if you play at a normal volume, I think it's pretty boring for the person you've at your side (everytime I play like this, everybody prefers I plug the Stick into the amp than hearing "cling cling cling"

Perfect. I can't explain my fascination, really. It was just love at first sight. I love the range of possibilities, even as a beginner. Its sort of combination guitar/piano characteristics are just so appealing.

I think I'll sit, learn, and listen for a while to confirm to myself that it's really something I want to seriously commit to... But if I see one on classifieds I may just buy it.

I'm glad to see that it has such a great community.

BTW, are there any stick players in the greater Boston area who wouldn't mind me checking out their Stick just to see what it's like?

It's a great idea to check one out. I play in the Boston area every once in a while, but have nothing scheduled right now. you are welcome to come down to North Haven CT and spend some time.

Brett

Brett, Did you get an NS Stick? If so I'd like to know what your opinion is, thanks.

Powagoat.

Welcome and man, just go for it! l happen to be a fire goat, good to meet another goat.

My partner happens to like the acoustic sound of the Stick, as it is very quiet. l sometimes serenade her to sleep.... oh is'nt that niiiice. l sneak in a little practice before bed if l have'nt done much on that day.

lt makes for good practice and helps me get used to playing in front of someone.

The Stick will take you to amazing places. We'll all be looking forward to hearing from you in the fullness of time.

Regards.

Greetings Powagoat,

Nice to see more n00bs here, since I just ordered my first Stick myself (12 str grand, MP, light guage). I've been eying this awesome instrument for decades but never really had the time or the money to pick it up. After placing my order the Stick Fever hit me so hard I had no idea how to stand those nine months waiting time. By a lucky coincidence someone canceled an order almost identical to mine and I got the offer to jump in on that one... and suddenly those dreadful nine months were down to 6-8 weeks! ) Now I'm all busy rewiring my brain, since I have been playing guitar for a long time and want to speed up the two hand simultaneous improvising learning curve. That is what has always attracted me to the Stick; the option to improvise my own music in a way similar to the classic piano gigs by Keith Jarret. I'm also excited by the two output option, applying two matching effect chains and play the effects (hopefully opposed to "hiding behind effects", an expression I've seen here and there on this forum. Big fan here of Harold Budd, Robin Guthrie etc). Lately I have started asking drummers for good practices for left and right hand poly rhythmic coordination; that's another thing I'd love to learn well for the future Stick playing.

Maybe it's good for you to know that used Sticks don't tend to go down so much in market value, so you won't loose a lot of money if buying one and later on deciding to not keep it.