Last week I received a beautiful Padauk Alto Stick with light gauge strings and StickUp. I have spent the past week alternating between playing the Railboard in preparation for two gigs in early 2019 and playing the Alto Stick. Here are my thoughts on the smallest and lightest Stick and where it fits in my musical universe.

Physically, I view the Grand Stick and Railboard as extensions of the body since they extend from the head to below the waist. You notice this especially when you need to bend over and pick something up while wearing the Stick - it is almost a yoga move (downward facing Stickist?).

The Alto Stick is like an extension of your arms rather than the body. It is comparatively light as a feather. The touch is light, your fingers are closer together, the pitch is higher. It is familiar but more delicate - you play lighter like you are floating. The light gauge strings and small fret spacing encourages light and more delicate playing.

Certain pieces really lend themselves to the Alto Stick - “Here Comes The Sun” is the first piece I moved from playing on the Railboard to the Alto. A few of my original pieces also seem to have found a new home as well.

I forgot how much I like the sound of the Stickup - it is almost an acoustic sound. I plan to test the Stickup with acoustic guitar impulses on the Line 6 Helix. At Emmett’s suggestion I will experiment with an octaver on the bass side. Using an Autofilter on the bass side makes the Alto into a very useful funk instrument. Oddly, it inspired me to come up with a version of Rubberband Man which is quite fun to play.

I am working on a set list just for the Alto. Pairing it with my Bugera AC60 creates a super portable rig that will work well at smaller gigs and open mics.

Simple and elegant. Extending into smaller spaces has its benefits.

Jeremy

Cool bro! Congrats. I still don’t know the difference between an Alto and SG12.....I’m going to look that up.

Yoga move......nice. I have to “take a knee” to pick anything up or change a pedal setting.

Enjoy the new Stick Jeremy.

Cheers,
Kev

I really enjoy the Alto's range. And it fits my hands better.

Will enjoy hearing you on the Alto, Jeremy.

I really enjoyed hearing your perspective Jer, I can very much relate to it - it's like a good cup first thing in the morning. Looking forward to hearing it soon.

j... I really like the octave on both the melody and bass sides.... It really adds some nice color in the solos. Another one of my favorites on the bass sided is the auto-wha effect.... As you know I got rid of my Helix, and had mixed emotions about it. I replaced it with the Zoom G5 and the Zoom B3 on the bass side. I LOVE these two pedals... Also, one of the effects on the G5 is called the Bender... It can Bend the string up or down when you tap... it is SO cool.... I always am digging all the you bring forward..... excited to see and hear your offerings on the Alto!!
Funk On!!!

Thanks to all for the support and tips! I have a video shoot on January 6 and will play a few pieces on the Alto. My understanding is that the SG12 is the same scale length as the Alto but with two more strings. If I am wrong, I am hoping an SG12 player will correct the record.

The Helix is my main effects processor for everything - the various Sticks, guitars, Oud and keys (now that Inhave finally figured out how to get the rotary speaker sims to sound good).

I have a secondary pedal board that I route into the Helix with a Pedal plus, Zoom Multistomp and Plasma Pedal distortion.

Jeremy, I also just purchased a StepABout!!

The perfect preamp!

Great to hear your thoughts on the Alto, I love mine and its still my main instrument though more & more I'm moving things over to the Grand. Have fun! Look forward to hearing it.

Thank you! In my short time with the Alto, I find that certain songs seem to lend themselves to the range and tone of the Alto compared to the Grand.