Owned this in 2001. While learning to play it I got billed as an act at the Evergreen State College Multimedia Festival. I played it though a Digitech multi-effects unit, and my playing style was largely influenced by the lead guitar by Phelps "Catfish" Collins (brother of Bootsy Collins)in "Ain't it Funky Now" from the live James Brown album "Love Peace Power".
In September 1998 I received a custom made Chapman Stick. I had contacted Emmett Chapman (actually his wife handled communications) and asked for a 12 string stick with fretless on the bass 6 strings, and fretted on the lead guitar end of the range. The Chapman's informed me mine was one of only two in the world in this configuration, the other being in Norway. The instrument cost me about $2300, and plugged into an Ampeg all tube combo bass unit.
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| Chapman Stick |
I loved this guitar, its almost a person to me. I special ordered it from Ernie Ball, not just the company, but the man himself. It was one of the last guitars built at their original factory in San Luis Obispo, and a few months later Ernie Ball (the founder of the company) died.
It cost $1500, bought at Bass Northwest. I consider this the most sexy instrument I ever owned.
