Chapman Stick

Chapman Stick – Serial No. 545

Instrument Overview

Attribute	Details
Model	Traditional 10-String Chapman Stick
Serial Number	545
Maker	Stick Enterprises, Los Angeles, California, USA
Production Era	Early 1990s
Wood	White Oak (rare variant)
Finish	Natural
Pickup System	Stickup (passive, era-correct)
Neck Adjustment	Back-mounted truss rod
Fingerboard System	Aluminum rails (mature version)
Logo/Branding	Touchboard™ label + "The Stick" headstock plate
Accessories	Original hard case, strap, setup tools
Condition	Mint vintage – no wear, mods, or refinishing

Historical Significance

• Era of Innovation: Early 1990s marked a golden period in Emmett Chapman’s production, with refinements in materials, playability, and hardware.
• Touchboard Branding: The Touchboard™ label emphasized the tapping interface as a fretted string innovation.
• White Oak Rarity: Few Sticks were built with white oak, prized for tonal clarity and visual grain.
• Stickup Legacy: The Stickup passive pickup is known for warm, articulate tone and expressive dynamics.

Provenance & Preservation

• All parts, finish, and accessories are factory-original.
• Case, strap, and tools are intact—rare for a 30+ year-old instrument.
• No structural changes, refinishing, or upgrades.
• This places it in the top tier of surviving early-’90s Sticks, highly desirable to performers and collectors.

Classic 10-String Tuning Layout

String	Side	Tuning	Direction
1	Melody	C#4	Descending
2	Melody	A3	Descending
3	Melody	F#3	Descending
4	Melody	E3	Descending
5	Melody	D3	Descending
6	Bass	C2	Ascending
7	Bass	A1	Ascending
8	Bass	F#1	Ascending
9	Bass	E1	Ascending
10	Bass	D1	Ascending

• Melody strings tuned in descending fourths.
• Bass strings tuned in ascending fifths.
• Middle strings (5 & 6) are adjacent and tuned a minor 7th apart.

Recommended String Gauges

String	Gauge (inches)	Type
1	.009	Plain Steel
2	.011	Plain Steel
3	.013	Plain Steel
4	.017	Plain Steel
5	.022	Wound
6	.030	Wound
7	.042	Wound
8	.054	Wound
9	.072	Wound
10	.092	Wound

• Gauges may vary slightly depending on manufacturer and player preference.
• Stick Enterprises offers matched sets for Classic tuning.

Setup Notes

• Truss Rod: Back-mounted, accessible via headstock. Use included hex wrench for relief adjustment.
• Action: Optimal tapping response achieved with low string height and minimal relief.
• Pickup Height: Stickup passive module—adjust for balanced output across strings.
• String Dampers: Headstock-mounted damper reduces sympathetic vibration and enhances clarity.

Maintenance Tips

• Clean strings and fingerboard regularly with a dry cloth.
• Store in original hard case to preserve finish and hardware.
• Avoid extreme humidity or temperature shifts—White Oak is stable but sensitive to moisture.

Performance & Teaching Techniques

Hand Positioning

• Vertical Orientation: The Stick is worn upright on a strap, allowing both hands to approach the fretboard from opposite sides.
• Left Hand (Bass Side): Typically plays ascending fifths; fingers tap perpendicular to the strings for clarity.
• Right Hand (Melody Side): Plays descending fourths; fingers approach at a slight angle for comfort and speed.
• Thumb Placement: Rest lightly behind the neck for stability, avoiding excess pressure.

Tapping Technique

• Light Touch: Minimal force is required—strings respond to gentle taps rather than plucks.
• Independence: Each hand can play separate lines (bass + melody), enabling polyphonic textures.
• Dynamics: Vary tapping pressure and speed to control volume and articulation.

Teaching Cues

• Begin with simple two-hand independence exercises (e.g., bass ostinato + melody scale).
• Use the damper to emphasize clean articulation and reduce sympathetic resonance.
• Encourage students to think of the Stick as two instruments in one: bass and melody.
• Stress ergonomic posture—upright stance, relaxed shoulders, and balanced hand movement.

Performance Applications

• Solo Performance: Capable of full arrangements (bass, chords, melody simultaneously).
• Ensemble Use: Functions as both rhythm and lead instrument, bridging roles of bass and guitar/keyboard.
• Genres: Common in progressive rock, jazz fusion, ambient, and experimental music.

Dramatic & Audience Engagement

• Visual impact: Upright playing posture is distinctive and draws attention.
• Demonstrate independence: Show bass and melody lines clearly to highlight the instrument’s uniqueness.
• Use dynamics and phrasing to create dramatic contrasts—soft tapping vs. percussive accents.