*Update 8/12: Since I've gotta move this thing and nobody on the forums stepped up to buy it I listed it on Ebay

Very nice Stick. And very fair price. Shouldn't last long on the market.

For what it's worth...I'm guessing your Stick is from around 2001.
- Fret Rails weren't introduced until late 2000-2001
- Dual Nut Flaps are also from the early 2000s, I think, and
- It is a wood Stick with 34" scale. All Sticks became 36" around 2005.

But SE would give you an accurate date. All the best on your sale!

I'll have to call and triple check when it was made, I'm pretty sure it was 08'. I just got a Grand Stick that was made in 01' and it's got individual string nuts and fret rods. Has a rubber piece across the bottom too, didn't even know that was a feature at one point lol

Also, by mid 2009 the serial numbers were heading to 6000 (I have #5826 & #5862, both of which left SE in July 2009).

I don't recall when the numbering series was changed to the current one, but I think it was well before 2008?

As Brian says, SE will have the definitive answer for the date of issue.

It is a beautiful instrument and the EMG looks right at home on it.

I agree with Dave and Brian's observations. The 2-buckle hardshell case, brown strap and front of pickup selector knob on the PASV-4 are also pretty solid indicators of their assessment. This instrument would have been the pinnacle of SE's offerings pre-2003/4 - a heyday of exploration and innovation for SE.

Similar to some pre-CBS Fender instruments, there was a reserve of older blocks that may have been used after the advent of the newer technology. In this case, it would been the 34" block itself so it stands to reason that this is all poppycock if Emmett pulled an older block, fitted it with newer hardware and sold it a lower cost. We saw this with the first rev of Railboards after a less steep rail was introduced in the following version.

My next question would be - are you the original owner? And if so, are you aware of any custom work that was done on the instrument?

Of course these are all a magnificent hunch and a call to Jeff at SE would provide real context and a more viable origin story.

The hardshell case is a great selling point. Regretfully, the PASV-4 pickups are a black box, as Villex is no longer in business, but still good to have as another selling point for the package. There may be some rabid PASV-4 folks that might make an offer for parts (I might be one of them...).

You'll get a fair price for sure - thanks for posting and best of luck with the sale - cheers.

Alright guys, I called and was told it was manufactured in December of 2000! I got my wires crossed because my old NS Stick was made in 08'.

Mystery solved

No one can hide from Jeff. He is the gatekeeper, truly.

Shameless plug on buying a Chapman Sticks on FHF here. Also, there is a pair of TnT sessions that you could actually steer your potential buyers to.

Find us a great player DQ2U951 - be sure to check sold listings on reverb.com to get a fair understanding of what others are selling their instruments for.

Robin Shima-Costin said it so well - every Chapman Stick is like a personal gift from Stick Enterprises to whomever owns it.

I definitely want to try and sell on here before I take the Reverb rout, not just to give back to the community but to dodge the seller fees they have on there. I'd probably list it for $2999 on there tbh

That's the spirit and I'm inspired to do the same for my Alto (Rosewood, pearl inlays, ACTV-2, soft shell case) and my NS (Ash body, Bamboo neck, hard shell and soft shell cases).

I hope you find a great player and a great person.