Chapman sticks, Extended range basses, Megatars. Difference?

[ALiP BoB]

I don't know which forum exactly to put this thread in so mods, feel free to move this if necessary.

All the three types of instruments I mentioned above (Chapman sticks, Extended range basses, Megatars.)

What are their differences? All of them require tapping to be played. The only difference I can see is their looks (although Megatars look almost the same as Chapman sticks.) and their stringing (Chapman sticks have the bass strings inverted.)
The rest of it (way it's played etc) all seem similar.

So you experts, tell me, what's the difference?

And any cheap alternatives to the Chapman stick? I know that they are super-expensive, about 2.5k average.
Megatars are half that price, but I'm not that sure that they ARE Chapman sticks. Well, are they?

Also, how are they amplified? Two amps (1 bass and 1 guitar amp)? Or does every player who plays this buy an El Whappo?

[ALiP BoB]

Bump

[jenderfazz]

As far as I'm concerned, Chapman Sticks, "Megatars", and Warr Guitars all fit into a similar category of tapped instruments with bass and treble registers. As for the differences between them, I can't be too specific as I'm not sure myself... but there are various scale lengths, strap positioning systems, and pickups and electronics between them.

ERB's have one advantage for bass players and that's that all strings are tuned in fourths like a normal bass. So if you're very used to 2 hand tapping a 4 or 5 string, you can apply that positioning with relative ease. Warrs and Chapmans have the fattest bass and treble strings in the middle of the fretboard, which is an anomaly for us. Also, you can play ERBs as regular electric basses.