"Tapping Instrument" or "Bass?"

[srdsrd]

everyone is looking at this instrument and trying to define it based on the pre-existing template of a bass guitar. hence the questions: "is it really a bass? or is it this? or is it that?" the simple fact is that it's not a bass at all. it's a totally different instrument with a totally different name. a Stick is not a 10 string bass or an 8 string bass, it's a Stick so that's what you call it. that, or sticker, his stickness, or el stickerino if you're not into the whole brevity thing. that's not to say that i have any problem with it being posted on a bass forum. it's awesome and we should all enjoy the pics without getting hung up on definitions.

In fact, I don't mind having people posting their Sticks pictures here, and I actualy appreciate it!

But...well I've been searching a bit and it seems that "the stick" is sticking as the instrument name. Why didn't anyone mention this before? So it is a new instrument, and it already has a name I guess.

Hey look Zaubertuba, they also make the NS in blue and pink
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So they come in other colours after all! Hehe just kidding

One other question, since I've never played a 6+ string: can you reach all the notes on the fingerboard using the fingerstyle? Does it hurt after a while, even playing on the lower notes?

 

[darkstorm]

Tapping instrument or more specifically a tap bass rather then a bass guitar. Cause its not meant to be playable guitar fashion. Which is with neck hand wrapped around neck with palm on the back of the neck and fingers able to reaxch the strings for fretting. Even if only your longest finger can reach the farthest away string.

My fave tap bassist would be that guy who played tap bass in King Crimson.

 

[Polfuste]

not my thing, but very nice bass.

 

[zaubertuba]

In fact, I don't mind having people posting their Sticks pictures here, and I actualy appreciate it!

But...well I've been searching a bit and it seems that "the stick" is sticking as the instrument name. Why didn't anyone mention this before? So it is a new instrument, and it already has a name I guess.

"Stick" is oft used generically as both the brand. Though the NS isn't even really commonly called a Stick, either. It does fall in the "Genre" of "stick-style" instruments, I suppose.

Hey look Zaubertuba, they also make the NS in blue and pink

If I had ordered it new, blue would've actually been my second color choice. First choice was actually the dyed black but I'm happy with the dark walnut.

There's actually a dyed red that looks real hot--you can find it in their gallery (sorry I can't hotlink it since it's a flash gallery): Invalid Link Removed

Then again, that pink might look nice on me.

One other question, since I've never played a 6+ string: can you reach all the notes on the fingerboard using the fingerstyle? Does it hurt after a while, even playing on the lower notes?

Tapping instrument or more specifically a tap bass rather then a bass guitar. Cause its not meant to be playable guitar fashion. Which is with neck hand wrapped around neck with palm on the back of the neck and fingers able to reaxch the strings for fretting. Even if only your longest finger can reach the farthest away string.

That's interesting, I never play with my palm against the back on the neck. I guess that's maybe my upright technique bleeding through.

The Megatar was insanely wide, and a bit of a stretch to play fingerstyle (and darkstorm is correct in that many tapping instruments really aren't designed to play that way). The NS neck isn't wide at all, in comparison. I have comfortable finger curvature all the way over to the low B, and seem to be able to play for quite awhile with no pain, which is actually a key criteria for any instrument for me.

 

[ehque]

...guitar fashion. Which is with neck hand wrapped around neck with palm on the back of the neck and fingers able to reaxch the strings for fretting.

Plenty of bass guitarists don't play basses this way. A lot of bassists, me included, anchor the thumb in the center of the back of the neck, allowing the palm to arch forward and aid in hitting the lower strings.

 

[spade2you]

BTW, how is the low B on these? These seem to be a cheap (relatively speaking) way to get into ERB.

 

[srdsrd]

There's actually a dyed red that looks real hot--you can find it in their gallery (sorry I can't hotlink it since it's a flash gallery): Invalid Link Removed

Then again, that pink might look nice on me.

Whoa, dind't notice that red one...hot indeed!

I asked because even on my 4string if playing E and A strings for a long time it starts to hurt...

About the palm on the neck... well thats curious, because I though I used the palm a lot but specially when sitting I find myself anchoring the thumb all the time

 

[WoodyG3]

I am dying to get one of these!

Watch this video of Don Schiff and crank up the volume - the bass tone out of this thing is amazing!

How the heck do you tap with two hands like that and sing at the same time? The guy is amazing!

Anyway, there are plenty of people on this forum who appreciate the instrument even though they may never play anything like it themselves. I'm one of those.

Then there are people who feel that even a 4 string isn't a bass if it has more than 20 frets. I guess by that definition most of my basses, all 4-bangers, are "extended range." And, of course, if it isn't a classic sunset burst with a tort guard, well, it's really a coffee table.

Well, have fun with your new insrument, OP. I think it's pretty cool.

 

[darkstorm]

ehque...> I agree with you about the hand position thing. But even there the thumb the hand is positioned in a way that doesnt allow for reaching the thicker strings that way. Which is why I call em tap basses or stick basses. I should have mentioned that variation of hand position ehque in my post, but was trying to condense it since originally my past was way too long. LOl.

 

[zaubertuba]

BTW, how is the low B on these? These seem to be a cheap (relatively speaking) way to get into ERB.

Solid.

Well...at least I *think* it's solid. I've only been able to listen to it through headphones up to this point. The real proof will be once I get my fEarful built.

I do know this - Don Schiff does relate someplace that he had--I think it was his producer--remark it was the "best low B he's heard." That's quite a statement!

 

[jkdahlman]

Subscribed, with some thoughts to follow after a bit of sleep.

 

[caeman]

I have been doing some reading on what exactly a guitar is and is not. Based the etymology of the word guitar and the history of the various instruments called by that word, and variants, I have come to the conclusion that they all had at least one thing in common: they were plucked with finger or plectrum. Hundreds of variations on the theme, frets or no, 1 string to 6+, long necks and short necks, solid bodies and hollow bodies...they were all plucked. You can tap, yes, but that is not the intended playing method.

The closest relative to a tapping stringed instrument I believe is the hammer dulcimer. You strike the strings with small hammers, but the concept is the same...you strike the the string to make the sound. And then there is the piano by fuller extension of this concept. You can pluck a hammer dulcimer, but that is not its intended method.

So, for my own purposes and resulting from my readings across the internet, the NS/Stick is NOT a guitar. The intent is to play the instrument by lightly striking the strings.

And I would like to note that this is only possible due to the instrument being electric. Otherwise, you would need hammers to produce sufficient volume and tone.

 

[jkdahlman]

Hmmmm, the NS/Stick is called, in the literature on the site, a "multi-mode" instrument.
It can be played as a normal guitar/bass or tapped. Seems to fit the definition for guitar. The other part of the guitar definition is that the string is stopped with the fingers of one hand. A hammer dulcimer is a set of fixed pitch strings. Like a zither or auto harp. The Stick concept, to me, is a separate class of instrument not fitting with the historical models and only possible due to electronic amplification. Ain't progress grand?

 

[caeman]

I love progress! Now if only our language could keep up with the changes.

Let's call it an Electrochordophone.

Or, Electric chordopsulterium, combining the playing aspects of a psaltery and a guitar.

 

[spade2you]

Solid.

Well...at least I *think* it's solid. I've only been able to listen to it through headphones up to this point. The real proof will be once I get my fEarful built.

I do know this - Don Schiff does relate someplace that he had--I think it was his producer--remark it was the "best low B he's heard." That's quite a statement!

Gotcha. Cool. I'd think a graphite neck would be great for a low B.

Wishful thinking, but it would also be kinda neat if they every went fanned.

 

[WoodyG3]

The closest relative to a tapping stringed instrument I believe is the hammer dulcimer. You strike the strings with small hammers, but the concept is the same...you strike the the string to make the sound.
.

My wife plays hammer dulcimer. It's kind of a percussion instrument with strings. She gets really beautiful tones out of it. Of course, the hammer dulcimer has no frets or fingerboard, so in that way it is very different from a guitar.

 

[Mr. Pickles]

...the thread seems to already have spiraled down. Sigh.

I don't consider the OP's NS-Stick a bass guitar. It was primarily meant a tapping instrument with a range comparable to a standard bass guitar. However, I do consider it a great tapping instrument nontheless (tapping's what got me interested in playing bass in the first place), in fact I'm rather jealous of the OP - especially if that's a natural walnut body.

Actually, this particular model was specifically designed by Emmett and Ned to be both plucked and tapped, blurring the line between traditional bass and tapping instrument.

To the OP, be sure to check out Stick Enterprises website and get involved in one of the Chapman Stick seminars. Very cool and informative. You'll get to meet like-minded musicians and take lessons from the pros. The first seminar I attended certainly changed my musical worls view, that's for sure.

FWIW, the B string on my SB-8 Chapman Stick totally slayed (clarity, intelligibility, growl) the b on any instrument I've ever heard/played. That includes Dingwalls, MTD, Lakies, etc.

 

[Mr. Pickles]

One other question, since I've never played a 6+ string: can you reach all the notes on the fingerboard using the fingerstyle? Does it hurt after a while, even playing on the lower notes?

The ergonomics of the Stick alleviates wrist pain. I personally know cats with severe nerve damage and carpel tunnel who can play Stick without pain. The NS/Stick hangs slightly differently than a regular Stick though.

 

[Mr. Pickles]

Here's Don Schiff and his NS (half fretless!!!)

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