Chapman Stick
Contents
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.
Tuning & Setup Specifications
Classic 10-String Tuning
The "Classic" tuning is the original and most widely used Chapman Stick tuning. It features melody strings tuned in descending fourths and bass strings tuned in ascending fifths.
Tuning Layout
| Side | String | Note | Interval Direction |
|---|---|---|---|
| Melody | 1 | D | Descending fourths |
| Melody | 2 | A | Descending fourths |
| Melody | 3 | E | Descending fourths |
| Melody | 4 | B | Descending fourths |
| Melody | 5 | F# | Descending fourths |
| Bass | 6 | C | Ascending fifths |
| Bass | 7 | G | Ascending fifths |
| Bass | 8 | D | Ascending fifths |
| Bass | 9 | A | Ascending fifths |
| Bass | 10 | E | Ascending fifths |
Key Characteristics
- Melody side: 5 strings tuned in descending fourths, starting from D.
- Bass side: 5 strings tuned in ascending fifths, starting from C.
- The middle pair (F# on melody, C on bass) creates a minor 7th interval across the hands.
- This split tuning enables simultaneous bass lines, chords, and melodies.
Usage Notes
- Standard for most Chapman Stick players since the 1970s.
- Works well with the Stickup passive pickup system.
- Ideal for polyphonic playing styles, progressive rock, jazz fusion, and solo arrangements.
Classic 10-String Light Gauge
Notes (left-to-right as listed in spreadsheet): D4, A3, E3, B2, F#2, C1, G1, D2, A2, E3
| String order (spreadsheet) | Note | Gauge (inches) | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | D4 | 0.008 | Plain steel |
| 2 | A3 | 0.009 | Plain steel |
| 3 | E3 | 0.011 | Plain steel |
| 4 | B2 | 0.014 | Plain steel |
| 5 | F#2 | 0.022 | Wound |
| 6 | C1 | 0.106 | Wound |
| 7 | G1 | 0.066 | Wound |
| 8 | D2 | 0.040 | Wound |
| 9 | A2 | 0.022 | Wound |
| 10 | E3 | 0.013 | Plain steel |
Newtone string sets for Chapman Stick
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.