Questions on Sticks & Warrs

[echochamber]

I am a bassist who is considering purchasing a Stick or possibly a Warr. I have a couple questions about these instruments though.

First, what are the pros and cons of a Stick and Warr? Since they are difficult to come by and I can't try them out myself, I'd like a comparison of the two brands.

My second question is concerning running a Stick or Warr through an effects pedal. I've noticed on the 2nd video demo on the Stick website that the guy has effects on his melody strings, but has no effects on the bass strings. I noticed Trey Gunn doing the same during a Crimson show. Are there two separate 1/4" output jacks to accomplish this?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[traktor]

Welcome, echochamber,

I'm sure some Warr and Stick players can fill you in on their preferences, but I can answer a part of your question --

On all these instruments, there are two 1/4" outs available. Although there are a few players who like to consider the instrument as *one* thing, and therefore use *one* amp, it's more common that we think like bassists and guitarists.

Commonly, a bassist will add compression, and some EQ, but not reverb or echo very much, because these time-delay effects tend to "muddy" a bass sound.

On the other hand, a guitarist might or might not use compression, but he tends to be a reverb user, just as an example.

By effecting the two sides separately (or by using different amps in some cases), the musician tends to optimise the sound quality from the low and the high strings separately.

I like to play into two Johnson J-Stations, and from there into a PA-type amp, but there are lots of opinions about what sounds best, depending on taste and style of music.

Hope this addresses some of the question.

[Tiptannick]

For the second part of your question, know that Stick and other Tap Instrument have a stereo output to separate bass strings and melody strings.

So you can add chorus on the melody strings only ! and an auto-wha on the bass part if you want !

I'm sure you can find a lot of documentations in this website !

or check mine: http://www.tapmag.fr.st/

[rjgoos]

>First, what are the pros and cons of a Stick and Warr?<

Pros...both are high-quality instruments. Cons...both are expensive, and both have significant wait times between ordering and delivery.

Don't be afraid to widen your inquiry beyond Stick and Warr. I have exchanged e-mails with people who are primarily bass players with bands who use the Megatar, and also the Austin Douglas ADG-10, and who are happy with their instruments.

I think what you will find is that every brand has its loyal followers, which indicates to me that all of these companies are doing something right.


R. Jay Goos

[lemur821]

Hello, I'm new here.

Keep in mind, I don't own either of the instruments, but I seem to recall reading that the Warr is more mellow than the Stick.

[echochamber]

Thanks for the replies!

I didn't realize how inexpensive Megatars are. You can get a new one for the price of a used Chapman. That might be the way to go. Gracias!