Don Schiff tapping on the NS/Stick multi-mode instrument. NS/Stick links: Order Options Price List NEW: NS Operator's Manual Suggested tunings Emmett's NS/Stick article Customer Comments   on the NS/Stick

Now you can tap, strum, pick, pluck, even play open strings, on one instrument.

Our 8-string stereo multi-mode instrument is a collaboration between Emmett Chapman (creator of the Stick) and Ned Steinberger (creator of the NS Double Bass, Bass Cello and many other instruments). Designed for optimized two-handed tapping, and conventional guitar and bass techniques, this instrument incorporates a number of ideas from both The Stick (Rails®, tapping frets) and the Steinberger bass (knee rest and headless design), as well as some completely new ideas, like a patented retractable damper, and unique side-saddle bridge and nut height adjustment screws.

The neck is laminated bamboo or wenge, with our distinctive Stick rear bevel. The body is a choice of beautiful hardwoods with a "soft finish" so the player can really feel the wood. Choose from natural wood colors or several penetrating dyes and stains, at no extra charge (click images below for larger color samples).

One piece hardwood body, balanced for any angle of play, with knee rest.
    NEW: high-gloss lacquer finishes with colorful penetrating dyes on ash and maple bodies

*Rear neck configuration with flat beveled and flat rear surfaces, trademark #2,138,101, issued Feb 24, 1998.

Ash NS/Stick™, 8-string 34" scale guitar/bass dyed green sunburst, with high-gloss lacquer finish with recessed grain pattern. 4 Active EMG pickups, wenge neck with white pearl dot inlays and Rails® tapping frets. Ash NS/Stick™, 8-string 34" scale guitar/bass dyed golden orange sunburst, with high-gloss lacquer finish with recessed grain pattern. 4 Active EMG pickups, wenge neck with white pearl dot inlays and Rails® tapping frets. Ash NS/Stick™, 8-string 34" scale guitar/bass dyed turquoise, with high-gloss lacquer finish with recessed grain pattern. 4 Active EMG pickups, wenge neck with turquoise dot inlays and Rails® tapping frets. Walnut NS/Stick™, with natural finish 8-string 34" scale multi-mode guitar/bass 4 Active EMG pickups, Dark bamboo neck with turquoise inlays and Rails® tapping frets Walnut NS/Stick™, dyed black with matte top coat 8-string 34" scale multi-mode guitar/bass 4 Active EMG pickups, dark bamboo neck with black pearl inlays and Rails® tapping frets Maple NS/Stick™, dyed red with high gloss clear coat 8-string 34" scale multi-mode guitar/bass 4 Active EMG pickups, and MIDI, wenge neck with white pearl inlays and Rails® tapping frets. Walnut NS/Stick™, natural finish 8-string 34" scale multi-mode guitar/bass 4 Active EMG pickups Dark bamboo neck with Rails® tapping frets Ash NS/Stick™ 8-string 34" scale multi-mode guitar/bass 4 Active EMG pickups Dark bamboo neck with Rails® tapping frets Ash NS/Stick™, dyed "wine red" 8-string 34" scale multi-mode guitar/bass 4 Active EMG pickups. Wenge neck w/ Rails® tapping frets Ash NS/Stick™, dyed golden 8-string 34" scale multi-mode guitar/bass 4 Active EMG pickups Dark bamboo neck with Rails® tapping frets Walnut NS/Stick™, stained black 8-string 34" scale multi-mode guitar/bass 4 Active EMG pickups Dark bamboo neck with Rails® tapping frets Ash NS/Stick™, dyed blue 8-string 34" scale multi-mode guitar/bass 4 Active EMG pickups. Dark brown dyed bamboo neck w/ Rails® tapping frets Maple NS/Stick™, dyed solid black w/clearcoat 8-string 34" scale multi-mode guitar/bass 4 Active EMG pickups, Dark bamboo neck with Rails® tapping frets Maple NS/Stick™ 8-string 34" scale multi-mode guitar/bass 4 Active EMG pickups Dark bamboo neck with Rails® tapping frets Maple NS/Stick™, dyed red w/ gloss clearcoat 8-string 34" scale multi-mode guitar/bass 4 Active EMG pickups. Wenge neck w/ Rails® tapping frets       Don Schiff and Gary Jibilian play the NS/Stick:

SPECIFICATIONS for 8-String NS/Stick™, all tunings: Dimensions: 40" (101.6cm) x 10 1/2" wide body (26.67cm) x 7/8" neck (2.2cm) Scale length 34" (86.4cm) String spacing at bridge: 4 melody strings .450" (11.43mm), 4 bass strings .590" (14.98mm), Group spacing .590" (14.98mm) String spacing at nut: .310" (7.87mm) Neck width 3 5/8" (9.2cm) at 24th fret and 2 1/2" (6.35cm) at nut Weight 8.0 lbs (3.63kg)