Chapman Stick: Difference between revisions

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| '''Maker''' || Stick Enterprises, Los Angeles, California, USA
| '''Maker''' || Stick Enterprises, Los Angeles, California, USA
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| '''Production Era''' || Early 1990s
| '''Production Date''' || February 1993
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| '''Wood''' || White Oak (rare variant)
| '''Wood''' || Dark Oak  
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| '''Finish''' || Natural
| '''Finish''' || Natural
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* Case, strap, and tools are intact—rare for a 30+ year-old instrument.
* Case, strap, and tools are intact—rare for a 30+ year-old instrument.
* No structural changes, refinishing, or upgrades.
* 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 ===
* 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 Layout ===
=== 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 ====
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
! String !! Side !! Tuning !! Direction
! Side !! String !! Note !! Interval Direction
|-
|-
| 1 || Melody || C#4 || Descending
| Melody || 1 || D || Descending fourths
|-
|-
| 2 || Melody || A3 || Descending
| Melody || 2 || A || Descending fourths
|-
|-
| 3 || Melody || F#3 || Descending
| Melody || 3 || E || Descending fourths
|-
|-
| 4 || Melody || E3 || Descending
| Melody || 4 || B || Descending fourths
|-
|-
| 5 || Melody || D3 || Descending
| Melody || 5 || F# || Descending fourths
|-
|-
| 6 || Bass || C2 || Ascending
| Bass || 6 || C || Ascending fifths
|-
|-
| 7 || Bass || A1 || Ascending
| Bass || 7 || G || Ascending fifths
|-
|-
| 8 || Bass || F#1 || Ascending
| Bass || 8 || D || Ascending fifths
|-
|-
| 9 || Bass || E1 || Ascending
| Bass || 9 || A || Ascending fifths
|-
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| 10 || Bass || D1 || Ascending
| Bass || 10 || E || Ascending fifths
|}
|}


* Melody strings tuned in descending fourths.
==== Key Characteristics ====
* Bass strings tuned in ascending fifths.
* Melody side: 5 strings tuned in descending fourths, starting from D.
* Middle strings (5 & 6) are adjacent and tuned a minor 7th apart.
* 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


=== Recommended String Gauges ===
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
! String !! Gauge (inches) !! Type
! String order  !! Note !! Gauge (inches) !! Type
|-
|-
| 1 || .009 || Plain Steel
| 1 || D4 || 0.008 || Plain steel
|-
|-
| 2 || .011 || Plain Steel
| 2 || A3 || 0.009 || Plain steel
|-
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| 3 || .013 || Plain Steel
| 3 || E3 || 0.011 || Plain steel
|-
|-
| 4 || .017 || Plain Steel
| 4 || B2 || 0.014 || Plain steel
|-
|-
| 5 || .022 || Wound
| 5 || F#2 || 0.022 || Wound
|-
|-
| 6 || .030 || Wound
| 6 || C1 || 0.106 || Wound
|-
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| 7 || .042 || Wound
| 7 || G1 || 0.066 || Wound
|-
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| 8 || .054 || Wound
| 8 || D2 || 0.040 || Wound
|-
|-
| 9 || .072 || Wound
| 9 || A2 || 0.022 || Wound
|-
|-
| 10 || .092 || Wound
| 10 || E3 || 0.013 || Plain steel
|}
|}


* Gauges may vary slightly depending on manufacturer and player preference.
[https://newtonestrings.com/shop/tapping-string-sets-for-chapman-stick%ef%b8%8f-style-instruments/?v=5435c69ed3bc Newtone string sets for Chapman Stick]
* 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 ===
=== Performance & Teaching Techniques ===