Innovative Instruments

Since 1974, we've made our Stick fretboard tapping instruments for musicians around the world. Today thousands of players are pursuing their musical goals on our 8, 10, and 12 string instruments. Our current designs incorporate decades of innovation for easy setup, and consistent low-action.

Explore Instruments

Artists

Stick players work in any genre — rock, jazz, classical, folk, in bands and as soloists. We carry over a hundred audio and video titles in our catalog. Check out what our featured artists have been up to, and watch performances in our online videos section.

Stick Artists

"Free Hands" tapping method

Emmett Chapman invented a new way to make music in 1969. He called it "Free Hands", and in 1974 he began teaching it to new Stick players and guitarists interested in tapping. We offer a growing catalog of books, DVDs and CDs by experienced teachers, plus links to free online videos.

Learn More

 

ONLINE ACESSORIES STORE


If you need strings or other accessories, please check out our Online Accessories Store

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INSTRUMENT GALLERY




RESERVE PRODUCTION AND USED STICKS


Check out our inventory to see what's available.


Looking for an instrument right away?

Most of our instruments are custom-ordered to the player's specifications for material, pickups, tuning, etc., and can take up to a few months to be completed. But we often have a limited number of completed new instruments, some at a discounted price, and reconditioned used instruments ready for delivery.

Check out our inventory to see what's available.

STICK PERFORMANCES AND LESSONS


"HANDS ACROSS THE BOARD", EMMETT'S 1987 PERFORMANCE/INTERVIEW
NEWLY REMASTERED, ON YOUTUBE




PLAYING HARMONICS ON THE STICK
New Lesson Video from Greg Howard




"TOUCHBOARD TO CIRCUIT BOARD", EMMETT'S 1986 MIDI STICK DEMO CASSETTE
NEWLY REMASTERED, ON YOUTUBE




NOW AVAILABLE: STICKISTAS' 60 FREE SONGS AVAILABLE FOR DOWNLOAD

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THE STRENGTH OF A FAMILY BUSINESS


Grace Chapman

Meet Grace Chapman

With Emmett's passing, Stick Enterprises is now run by his yougest daughter and longtime head of the SE shop, Grace. Find out more about her....

NEW RELEASES


NEW RELEASES: By Stick players available for download.


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NEW PICKUP: Introducing the EMG-RB10, a new module for the Railboard from EMG and Stick Enterprises. Watch the demo video.


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RESERVE PRODUCTION AND USED STICKS


Looking for an instrument right away?

Most of out instruments are custom-ordered to the player's specifications for material, pickups, tuning, etc.., and can take up to a few months to be completed. But we have a limited number of completed new instruments, some at a discounted price, and reconditioned used instruments ready for delivery?

Interested? Check out our inventory to see what's available.

NEWS AND INTERVIEWS


A FUN AND INSPIRING INTERVIEW WITH DON SCHIFF from Bass Musician Magazine



NEW WEBSITE: Stick Music Scores, Olivier Chabasse's new resource for Stick players.


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NEW PODCAST: Tune in to the "Tap in Time" podcast for fun and in-depth discussions with Stick players around the world.


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June 7, 2020, New hardwood option for Stick fretboard tapping instruments: Machiche


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Dec 23, 2019, Los Angeles City Council Celebrates 50 years of Free Hands and The Stick


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Dec 6, 2019, New online chord resource


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Oct 21, 2019, For Bass Players Only interviews Nick Beggs!




Featured Books

New by Michael Kollwitz

By Greg Howard


Featured Album

Crisis (2021) by Tomás Merlo Group
The debut album from an exciting new fusion trio. Available on CD from Stick Enterprises


Featured DVD


Stick T-shirts


IN MEMORIAM

Emmett Chapman

(1936-2021)


Emmett Chapmanphoto by Dan Chapman

The musician, inventor of the Free Hands two-handed tapping method and The Chapman Stick, and founder of Stick Enterprises, died at his home on Monday, November 1, after a long battle with cancer.

Watch the service the service and see written and musical tributes from Stick players.

EMMETT'S MEMORIAL PAGE



IN MEMORIAM

Greg Howard

(1964-2023)


Greg Howardphoto by Irene Young

Chapman Stick player, musician, composer and artist Gregory “Greg” Bernard Howard, 58, passed peacefully on Saturday, April 22, 2023, at his home in Charlottesville, Virginia, after a brave fight against pancreatic cancer. His wife held his hand as he departed this earth.

GREG'S MEMORIAL PAGE