Welcome to Stick Enterprises, home of the Chapman Stick®
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 InstrumentsArtists
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.
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ONLINE ACESSORIES STORE
If you need strings or other accessories, please check out our Online Accessories Store
INSTRUMENT GALLERY
RESERVE PRODUCTION AND USED STICKS
Looking for an instrument right away?
Most of our instruments are custom-ordered to the player's specifications for material, pickups, tuning, etc. But we occasionally 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.
UPCOMING STICK EVENTS
Stick Camp Canada 2024
August 22-26, Gabriola Island, BC
Celebrating over 20 years of Stick events in British Columbia
Stick Camp Canada is the 22nd annual Chapman Stick gathering in British Columbia hosted by Vancouver Stick player Jim Meyer, each featuring a diverse group of international Stick players.
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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
THE STRENGTH OF A FAMILY BUSINESS
Meet Grace Chapman
Grace Chapman is the Head of Stick Enterprises, a master Stick builder, and leading us into the future.Find out more about her....
NEW RELEASES
NEW RELEASES: By Stick players available for download.
NEW PICKUP: Introducing the EMG-RB10, a new module for the Railboard from EMG and Stick Enterprises. Watch the demo video.
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.
NEW PODCAST: Tune in to the "Tap in Time" podcast for fun and in-depth discussions with Stick players around the world.
June 7, 2020, New hardwood option for Stick fretboard tapping instruments: Machiche
Dec 23, 2019, Los Angeles City Council Celebrates 50 years of Free Hands and The Stick
Dec 6, 2019, New online chord resource
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
(1936-2021)
photo by Dan ChapmanWatch the service the service and see written and musical tributes from Stick players.
IN MEMORIAM
(1964-2023)
photo by Irene Young