Hello! I'm new to this forum, so I wanted to intro myself.

I'm RJ, I'm a multi-instrumentalist & audio engineer. I've been playing guitar/bass/drums/piano/modular-synth & other instruments for the better part of 25+ years. I'm also a freelance Sound Designer/SoundFX Editor/Foley Artist for TV/Film
I've always had a love/fascination for the Chapman Stick since first seeing Tony Levin play it in King Crimson in my teens. I could never afford one (still can't) and I've never been able to encounter one irl but i've watched/read numerous Stick material, and I have a strong premonition that it would feel very comfortable and would provide an extremely rewarding playing/learning experience. As much as I love gtr/bass, my brain gets figgety & I want to learn new instruments and be challenged...

The summer of this year 2024 I turn 40 (!!!), and I really feel like this would be the best momentous occasion to finally own my first Stick as my 40th birthday present. I think I'm ready to learn & this beautiful beast

I got time to plan and prep, but I'm leaning towards getting a used/backorder/canceled-order one most likely, so if anyone has any leads towards rosewood/hardwood 10-string (normal or grand) Sticks, let me know

Cheers!

Welcome to the Forum.

Finding a Stick in a few months will be a challenge.
They are out there, but getting harder to locate.

In Canada,
I search Google with the words "kijiji chapman stick"
as this will search Canada wide.

I also search on eBay, Stickist and Facebook MarketPlace.

thanks WerkSpace!
yeah i know it's not gonna be easy or quick, and am prepared to have to wait a while if i decide to order a new one made or in search of one. i'm hopeful i'll get lucky somehow

It might help your appeal if you give at least a rough idea where abouts in the world you are? No need to be precise if you don't want to. Even a continent might help.

Is it safe to assume you're aware that the wait for a made to order Stick is currently around 2 years?

thanks for the suggestion David. I live in NYC
yes i'm aware the wait is quite long, and i'm prepared for that

I hope you find a used. While I've been waiting for the one I ordered at the end of September 2021 (literally finished last week & in transit as I write this) I've been lucky enough to find 3, one of which I've since sold on.

N.B. A fully adjustable used Stick (adjustable truss rod, fully adjustable bridge, & probably but not necessarily flaps) can command a used price that is little different from that of a new Stick - the advantage being that you get it within a few days rather than have a very long wait.

Some people try to charge even more (& sometimes for a non-adjustable instrument).

When the new Stick has arrived & settled in I will think about selling the 10 string Graphite, but I'm sure you'd would not want to pay what I paid for it, plus shipping[1], plus import duty.

[1] Insured transatlantic shipping on my new Stick added 425 USD to the price (full price shipping cost was 525 USD but traditionally SE knock 100 USD off the shiipping price of overseas orders to encourage wider spread). :O

Another thought...
Are you aware of the up coming 'NY Stick Seminar May 17-19'?

Okay, so you don't have a Stick yet, but while I can't guarantee it I strongly suspect that if you contacted Jim (the organiser) he might be able to arrange loan of one for the duration of the seminar?

I'm certainly aware of a guy who attended the Interlochen seminar before he had a Stick, and I doubt he's the only one over the years to have done something like that?

Just a thought...

I second the suggestion to attend the seminar in May.

This is a VERY rare opportunity to connect with other players, see and hear the Stick played live by people who actually know what they're doing and learn from them.....

I'm a rank beginner myself and really looking forward to it.

hey! that's a fantastic idea! i will definitely make it a point to both attend as well as contact jim about the possibility of a loan for the seminar. exciting! thanks for the suggestion!
also congrats on finally nearing delivery of your new stick! as well as the info re: finding used sticks. i appreciate any/all insight! cheers!

If you attend you're more than welcome to lay hands on and noodle about with my Railboard (Matched Reciprocal 10).

Experiencing these things for yourself can be life-changing.

A brief story: I first enoountered the Stick at a NY guitar show, circa 1982 or thereabouts. I had never seen or heard of it. I was in no way a musician.

I had the chance to pick it up and plug it in. I put my fingers down and.... magic happened. By sheer random chance I made a beautiful sound.

I never forgot that moment. It's why I'm here, decades later, finally engaging and learning.

Please do come if you possibly can.