Coming from a bass background, and a near-poverty stricken one, my gear for many years consisted of a bass and an amp and an instrument cable. After finding a used Chapman Stick at a musician's flea market though, my gear very quickly escalated to a bass, and amp, a Chapman Stick and two instrument cables. I almost needed my own roadie.

As the years past and roles in different musical situations changed, I found myself in need of a bit of the ol' more stuff. Still in a thrifty mind set I aquired a used Digitech multi effects unit and then my wife surprised me with a bass version of the same pedal soon after. They were okay, I guess. Two years ago I took a big step and got the Roland GR20 guitar synth and the GK3 modified for the Stick. That was pretty cool too. And I have used it quite a bit, but it was a lot more work getting used to playing cleanly enough not to get those unwanted notes.

A few weeks ago I stumbled on a Roland VG88(for $200, yippee!) which in a few more years will probably qualify as "old school" effects and modeling. But I have to say that after a few days test driving it...I really like it alot, really. It definitely sounds more Stickish than a sampled saxiphone or rhodes piano.
And I can bend strings again!!! So far I am digging the acoustic guitar sounds and the hollow body simulators. I am still mostly blending them with my melody side Stick PASV 4 pickup so as to sound more like what I am used to hearing from the Stick.

I don't remember hearing or reading if anyone out there uses the VG88 with the Stick, but if there is, I wouldn't mind hearing how it works or worked for you.

I might try to haul it to the Interlochen seminar, but it does sound like it is best to travel light to that one. We'll see.

Mike

I used the VG 88 exclusively till the 99 came out. Recorded my 2008 CD with the 88. Unfortunately lost it in the hurricane.
VG88 is s great piece especially for $200. Enjoy it
See you at Interlochen
Steve

I still use my VG88 on occasion. I have a V-Bass as well that I've used mostly with my 6 string bass. Some day I'll get around to using it on the Stick again.

I'm a student of Steve's and I always loved the sounds he got from his VG88. I got one myself not too long after he upgraded to the 99. I practice with it every night (or more accurately, every night I get to practice ). I like it a lot. There are a bunch of sounds that don't seem to fit the Stick very well. But I agree with you that some of the acoustic echo effects sound really nice. I also like the Violin and Bowed ones.