New Bamboo Grand Stick is here!!!

It's bound to be an exciting day when you know a new Stick® is on the way!
Last week, while I was still in California I got the call from Stick Enterprises that my new dark bamboo Grand Stick #5827 was ready for delivery. I asked them to postpone delivery until I was sure I'd be home to receive the package.

I ordered my first stick in 2000, since then Emmett Chapman has continued to tweak and refine the instrument. This new instrument has several new features not on my original one. Most obvious, its extended scale, meaning it's longer than my old Stick and can play some notes I couldn't before. It also has Fret rails whereas my original instrument had fret rods. The difference being that the frets now taper at more of an angle, the old ones are more rounded. Another difference is the flaps, two adjustable plates that act like the nut on a guitar. My other stick has individual set scews for each string. I got it with the ACTV-2 pickup module, which I like for its great sound and simplicity.

This instrument is made from dark laminated bamboo with turquoise linear inlays, and has black tuners. A thing of beauty! I think it is absolutely gorgeous. I like the light weight of the bamboo as well. It has light gauge strings in classic grand stick tuning.

My first impressions?
I think I'm in love! It arrived nearly in perfect tune and I played a couple of hours with it. The extended scale takes a slight mental adjustment, but I was playing tunes in no time. The set up is just the way I like. I'm feeling blessed, lucky and inspired. A huge thank you for everyone at Stick Enterprises, especially Emmett.

Update.. Big Sur, Tide Pools, and more!

Still in CA and having a blast! Sherrie and I have been trying to take advantage of our time here. Today we went to Natural Bridges Sate Park in Santa Cruz. We roamed around exploring tide pools, and chatted with a surfer as those in the water were catching some gnarly waves.

Yesterday we drove down Highway 1 to Big Sur, wow! It was a great day, part sun, partly cloudy, and spectacular views! We stopped and had lunch in Lucia, CA , then made our way back north, stopping in Carmel by the Sea for a nice stroll.

We've also spent some time strolling and window shopping lots of interesting shops and restaurants in Capitola, which is just minutes from where we are staying. On Sunday we spent most of the morning and afternoon in downtown Santa Cruz, time is flying by, so much to see.

I am getting eager to get back home, especially since I got a call just a short while ago from Stick Enterprises. My new Bamboo Grand Stick is done and ready to be shipped! WOOT!!!

California...

Ok, so it has been a while since I last posted anything on this blog, lots of catching up to do. Right now I'm in Soquel, CA (right next to Santa Cruz) with Sherrie. We're house-sitting for some friends for a few weeks. This is the view of some redwoods from the back patio...

We drove here from our home in Salida, CO taking our time and making some stops along the way. The first day we drove to Zion National Park and spent a couple of days staying with friends. Had a great day of hiking in the park and picnicking amongst the hoodoos.


After a wonderful day in Zion we drove to Vegas. Yup, I've had never been there and wanted to experience it for myself. We spent the day walking up and down the strip soaking it all in. I probably don't need to mention that going from the tranquil natural surroundings of Zion National Park to the hustle of Vegas was pretty jarring. We spent the night at the Luxor. I spent an entire two dollars on gambling machines, just for the fun of it. I think 24 hrs was just the right amount of time, very interesting place.


From Vegas we drove to Fresno, CA and then to Santa Cruz the next morning. So now we're starting to explore the area. Sunday morning we walked along the coast at Pleasure Point and watched the sufers.


Sherrie has more pics and stories about our adventure at her blog, check it out here!

The best time of the year...

A couple of days ago, Sherrie and I took a drive up Marshall Pass to check out the colors. I just love that we can be surrounded by such beauty only minutes from home.

The bigger the better!

The bigger the better! Hot Dogs that is!
On our way to Denver last week Sherrie and I stopped at the Coney Island Hot Dog Stand in Bailey, CO. Ever since seeing a PBS special a few years ago about great roadside hot dog stands, I feel it is my civic duty to stop and support them. A bit of Americana.
The dogs were delicious and how often do you get to eat food from a building shaped like the food you are eating?

Nomad

Last night Sherrie and I attended the CD release party for local Master Polyrhythmist Bones' latest release Nomad. What a party! Bones is known for putting on extravagant performances, but last night he outdid himself. The Steamplant ballroom was packed as Bones and a revolving cast of local musicians took the stage and got people hitting the dance floor.
I added some Chapman Stick to a couple of tracks on the CD, which snagged me the honor of getting a VIP pass. This meant, a free CD, free food and drink and the option of watching a video feed of the performance from backstage. Not bad, eh?

Green's Creek Revisited

Sherrie and I spent some time this morning hiking up along Green's Creek. It's always nice to get out and enjoy the outdoors. We hiked this trail last year shortly after I arrived from Cleveland, it was a nice feeling to revisit it and to realize how much this place now feels like home.