The Railboard™ - Reinventing The Chapman Stick - new two-handed tapping instrument

Emmett Chapman and Kevin Keith offer an introduction to the new Chapman Stick® model, The Railboard™.
The Railboard is a radically new and lower-priced integrated fret and beam structure made of precision-machined hard anodized aluminum.
In this video Emmett talks about the instrument's advanced features, new pickup technology, and its revolutionary patented design and unique process.
For more information about the Railboard see:
www.stick.com/r...
Ad design and production by Dan Chapman: www.chapman-design.com
Music by Kevin Keith and Emmett Chapman.

[@guitsynthcw]

Worked at a music store in the mid 70s and we were one of the first Stick dealers. Met Emmett and his wife and they were very sweet people and seeing Emmett play at the NAMM show (first time maybe) in Chicago was mind blowing. Glad he’s still inventing.

[@jimwinger]

Sadly, he passed away

[@PLively]

I watched this a million times, ordered a Railboard, and then watched it a thousand times more. I had never held a Chapman Stick. That was about 4 years ago, and I have not regretted a thing.

[@lesliealvareams5263]

Where did u order the Rail board from?

[@jeffwolinski2659]

You can get them direct from Chapman Enterprises, find them on the internet.

[@MrMarkstyles]

I had the privilege of seeing Emmett Chapman, decades ago, when he was traveling around.. I was extremely impressed by his 'Stick'. and I realized it was a serious musical instrument. Not like some exotic instrument, you would throw on a song for some unique color (of course it can do that). It required dedication and practise. Yes, he has generated a 'Unique instrument'. He has spent decades perfecting his instruments. Stick virtuoso's have dedicated significant time to master it. This is incredible. It is an instrument into itself.

[@terrypussypower]

I remember the first time I saw a Chapman stick was at Peter Gabriel’s first tour after he left Genesis, at the Glasgow Apollo in ‘77! Tony Levin was in his band and he had a stick and it looked the weirdest thing!

[@noah122804]

Chapman is a genius artist and inventor who deserves much praise and appreciation for this amazing instrument.

[@acandycoloredclown7005]

Damn I’m wondering when they’ll release a more affordable line.

[@Bassologist76]

To everyone questioning fret wear these are hard anodized aluminum not just aluminum. I’d wager you wouldn’t see much wear from nickel or Stainless steel wrapped strings.

[@guzzialfa]

Just amazing what he could do. Such a mind. Gone too soon.

[@thefool2007]

There is so much genius in video. Mr. Chapman- this is such an amazing contribution to music and mankind. And the level of virtuosity you have achieved on it is spellbinding.

[@scarred2112]

After 15 years of moving from "one day I'll get a Stick" to "I'm absolutely going to learn to play Stick" to "time to Stick or get off the pot!" and spending the last year putting every extra penny into my Stick Fund, I finally ordered mine 2 weeks ago! I went with a Bamboo Stick as that's what I heard & visualized in my head & should I somehow not be able to play I *do* know how high Used Stics sell for (whereas that's unknown for Railboards) but should I need a 2nd a Railboard it will be!

[@guyunderhill8204]

i’ve got to ask - how’s the playing coming along?

[@neurocosm]

I own 2 Chapman NS Sticks and really like them. They are my main string instrument, because of their versatility in being able to play bass lines as well as guitar (as I have it set up and tuned). It's too bad about Emmett's passing. He was a kind person. I wonder if there will be any more innovation as far as the stick goes. He was kind of that guyto surprise us after a while.

[@Taldaran]

It's good that Kevin Keith (great demo choice for this product) plays with classical vibrato - up and down the strings rather than side to side - that way you can't hear the rough unpolished top of the anodized coated fret grinding on the string. Listen to what Emmett is doing at 1:41 when he demonstrates the regular vibrato most players do that have not learned fretless bass or violin vibrato technique. Emmett, keep the aluminum fretboard, but integrate a harder metal like stainless steel for frets that will last a lifetime and polish them like mirrors with no noise or grind.

[@montefullflash500]

there's a plasma deposition option now which is, apparently smooth

[@blahblahsen1142]

very cool. don't see myself ever being able to play like this but still. as a bassist/guitarist i know the difficulty in playing one instrument well, how anyone can coordinate both correctly is just...i dunno. respect.

[@StellaShebaofficial]

Damn, I didn't know Kevin Keith. That's some fine stick-playing there.

[@gthomas15229]

My blue Railboard (#6632) finally arrived 7/20/2015 (ordered 10/7/2014). The only problem is there are no instructions on how to connect to the amplifiers. So I have the Railboard, cables that were included cables and a Peavey Max 158 bass amplifier and some low wattage guitar amplifiers with no idea how to connect them.

[@luisfelipenicodemus2055]

**listens to king crimson once "oh my god I gotta get a moustache and this sick bass thing he uses to go full schizo!"

[@PressRecord777]

Oh man, the _moustache_ part killed me... LMAO!

[@specwarat]

The aluminum construction is somewhat reminiscent of the 1980's Kramer aluminum neck basses. Many years past, I traded a Rick 4001 for a Kramer Stagemaster that I modified with Seymour Duncan 1/4 pound P-bass & Hot J-Bass stack with passive electronics (2 volume, tone roll-off, coil tap) that made it extremely versatile. If I were still a serious player, I'd be tempted to acquire one of these. Incredible instrument... Kevin Keith truly does it justice.

[@dizzysailing]

I love it! Incredible instrument, the work of a true genius. I'm a jazz pianist, and I have just been introduced to someone who plays one, and looking forward to playing some amazing music together. It's so versatile, a band in a box! Def the next best instrument after a keyboard ;) (says the keyboard player) ha ha

[@1herbiekritzer]

Great innovation, Emmett!

[@johndoe1765]

BRAVO TO SUCH FOCUS AND DEDICATION TO BRING ABOUT THIS INCREDIBLE INSTRUMENT HATS OFF TO EMMETT CHAPMAN AND TO STICKPLAYERS THANKS FOR THE VIDEO.

[@kingpuppet3928]

i newly discover this instruments, and now i love to have it and learn how to play this beast, but sadly hard to find here in PH.

[@OCEANSINSPACE]

Wow, sweet video production. And even cooler new Stick! Hails to THE grand wizard.

[@markkens9]

That double truss is sweet!

[@trabrex7697]

Had one back in the 80s. It’s not an easy instrument. 🤟🏼

[@MichaelBlueMusic]

Just awesome. Bravo! Thanks again, Emmett and the gang! I'm loving getting to know my NS/Stick, but I do plan to add a Railboard to the fleet when I am ready and able.

[@CharlesHess]

Hey Mr C. I saw you play at the CSUN student union in about 1982. Great stuff.

[@gthomas15229]

Mine is next in line finally. Sending the check today! I only hope that it is as easy to play as the videos make it look.

[@gthomas15229]

Mine is finally done and is scheduled for delivery on Monday!

[@tite93]

@@gthomas15229 hey, I know it's been 3 years, but how's the instrument?

[@timmydear632]

An Amazing Stick instrument, Spritually discovered ....

[@Kreln1221]

Perhaps a good idea would be to offer custom options such as sustainer circuits, piezo acoustic bridge pickups, multi voiced pickups, (such as the EMG 89, Fishman Fluence, etc...), full or partial fretless, (such as fretless only on the bass side), single or double string benders, (similar to the Parsons/White B Bender, for pedal steel type playing), lever operated multi tuning bridges, (similar to the Hipshot Trilogy), etc...

i`m a bit worried about the frets... it`s not possible to change them, right? and they look mat, does this affect the sound, especially vibratos?

[@jamessaldana2022]

Love it…Genius,Masterful,Craftsmanship and Expressive Passion for Music..Thank You for Invention….& for Sharing..God Bless You+++

[@FrancisRoyCA]

When I listen to political or religious talk, I feel depressed and I think it's time to press The Big Red Button. When I watch a video like this, as well done as it is, demonstrating excellence in engineering to create a product that allows people to express their own excellence for the joy of mankind, I recall what is good about life and what makes it worth living and fighting for.

[@MFKR696]

Then don't listen to religious or political talk. It's as simple as how much negativity you allow yourself to be exposed to. You need to know when to "change the channel", as it were.

[@eqx7168]

If jesus were alive he'd play a Chapman Stick

[@babayaga1767]

and when socialism takes over, there will be no innovations like this anymore because there will be no incentive for it. God bless America for things like the railboard

[@StratMatt777]

@@babayaga1767 said "and when socialism takes over" Great job injecting paranoid negativity into such a positive comment thread! Psychotherapy for 2020!

[@analogaudiorules1724]

@@AzathothsAlarmClock Now this is a great comment.

[@Stckmand]

Super funky part around 8:30 ...thumbs for that !!!

[@brucejacquesStick]

Got three wood ones, but a Plum Colour Railboard is starting to look mighty attractive.......

[@danwest9900]

I want the Chapman Railboard!!!

[@Sysiphistication]

So being a touch based instrument, what sort of amplification is used? Does one merely crank a Marshall to 11?

[@elixtido1448]

newer Marshalls come without a volume knob. They're set at 11

[@edwincancelii2917]

They should have a dual bass reciprocal version tuned either in low C, with one side tuned in fifths and the other side tuned in fourths; and the other dual bass reciprocal version in low G, with one side tuned in fifths and the other side tuned in fourths. Those would be awesome.

[@MrWindflight]

Nice work Emmett and Keith, but elaborate a bit more about the built in MIDI component /option, as you know I've never liked the GK3 attachment, I found it cumbersome and annoying, built in is an added bonus. Nice video and as usual Emmett you look great!! Both of your playing is great. I play no other stringed Instrument, The Stick was my first.

[@marintodorov148]

so...how do I replace used frets?

[@tosh369]

Yeah, I was thinking about that, too. But I guess that if the action is so light, you would never have to do it. You're barely touching the strings...

[@waltervt]

The frets should never wear out, because their surface is way harder than the strings.

[@ChrisLeeW00]

@@waltervt Aluminum body vs steel strings, who would win?

[@Deebz270]

@@waltervt - What? Alumin-i-um is harder than nickel=wound steel? You only need to look at ally the wrongway and it scratches or divots up. *Tosh_369* has the right idea, very low and straight action, requiring minimal pressure to achieve the required sound, would equate to less wear and tear on the fret rails.

[@PLively]

@@ChrisLeeW00 Hard-Anodised Aluminium is VERY, VERY HARD! Nickel-wound steel will lose.

[@leonwillett4645]

first stick player that I've heard that actually grooves, instead of making a somewhat "flat" popping sound... Nice!

[@Spaghettaboutit]

Leon Willett have you heard Tony Levin on King Crimson's Frame by Frame and Discipline? It sounds very groovy!

[@Alorand]

Patrick Stewart brought me here. (from his deleted scene in Dune) Emmett Chapman provided such a sublime sound to match the acting, it is a shame it had to be cut.

[@decimated550]

huh wut? the stick was in dune and he was playing it? the guy in the video?

[@Safarieventcatering]

I suspect that was Toto playing. Some of the worst music I've ever heard but man was he feeling it!

[@einarabelc5]

I've seen these live with all the Big Stick guys. My question still is, can you bend the strings in this thing.

[@karli34]

Great presentation - thanks for sharing!

[@nofuture6009]

Big Kev sells it alone. Vibing musician

[@isthiswhereitype1]

Kevin Keith really is the stick master

[@johnniecameron8829]

AMAZING INSTRUMENT

[@weareallbeingwatched4602]

This all makes perfect sense.

[@stickplayers]

Theis is only stating that the channel for the GK3 is already routed out during the machining process, so installation is easier.

[@Robstafarian]

Congratulations! I had to cancel my Stick order to fund some prototyping, but it looks like even the worst case scenario will have me ordering a Railboard next year.

[@jimwinger]

Hows the sticking going?

[@Robstafarian]

@@jimwinger I do not own one. I sold my Railboard in the hope of affording a used car, just before that became laughable.

[@jimwinger]

@@Robstafarian oh that's too bad to hear - you seemed really intoit for quite a while

[@Robstafarian]

@@jimwinger Thanks, I doubt that I will ever afford another one.

[@haimlute]

amazing!!! lovely instrument and playing!!!

[@Safarieventcatering]

Do they do a two string version?

[@Safarieventcatering]

SAFARI TV Hey P. What are you doing here? I know you're a player but do you play? ;)

[@rocketrayray55]

Now THAT'S my speed!

[@PLively]

Krappy guitars do. That is not a joke. Google them!

[@felixmartin6102]

I like the back of it! Nice job.!

[@robgraham5584]

Couple questions. Being a machinist myself, I could make that design in about ten minutes on mastercam, and have a complete part in a few hours. I'm surprised you can actually patent a one piece machined part... so if anyone else wanted to make a one piece machined neck they're fucked? Seems a little unfair as it's not based on any new idea or innovation, just a technique that machinists have been using for decades... secondly, wouldn't steel/nickel strings wear aluminium frets awfully fast? Like ridiculously fast? And being that they can't be replaced, your only option would be to remachine the entire fretboard. How many times could you do that before the neck becomes too thin to support the tension? 2, maybe 3 times? Then you would have to bolt another piece onto it. How long have you tested this thing for? Did you consult a machinist? Because if you had asked me I would have told you that aluminum frets would be a very bad idea. I would have told you to use steel and have a replaceable fretboard. Just my .02

+Rob Graham I won't dispute the validity of your questions, but make you one: Where's your design?

[@juxtaposeism]

+Rob Graham Chapman has almost 50 years of making, refining and PLAYING that stick - and here you come having exactly how much experience with music and instruments?

[@robgraham5584]

Heh, well I'm a bassist and pianist also. and I never questioned the validity of the instrument, I just said its unfair to grant a patent for it. As for the aluminum frets, they claim the hard ano is enough to keep the frets from wearing, witch is a bit dubious. Then again, I've never played one

[@ska4dragons]

+Rob Graham Welcome to the age of patent war.

[@tarkenton3895]

+Rob Graham You do understand what a patent is intended for right? You could make one for yourself and be scott free of any blame. The problem arises when you manufacture and sell them with this patented design.

[@DrCowinabox]

what happens when the frets wear out??? I just fell in love with these things... BUT... i need to know what happens when they wear out :/

[@andyscott5277]

Currently play keyboard, I can play a bit of bass by ear, but never been able to get a handle on guitar. Wondering how realistic the prospects of me ever being able to play one of these things even somewhat proficiently are…? Just looks, and sounds so cool 😅

[@BadButNotSad]

It’s beautifully extraordinary, I also do love a lot the quality of the material. Perhaps you’ll work on the star ships, mr Chapman, I do see someone who could go with that, too. You know how they work, yes? :)

[@cgavin1]

Question: Do you make them in different scale lengths? A shorter thinner one for example? The tone is very 'new wave' on the full length one. How about one that sounds more like a resonator/guitar?

[@AffordBindEquipment]

so if the rails are alum., how long before they wear down?

[@Metal-Possum]

Can someone explain what actually makes it different from a chapman stick?

[@quijadriss7650]

So aluminum frets "rails"... I do not play the stick, but a guitar. After years of use it is common that the frets need adjustment after wearing down and eventually replacement. How would that work here? Is this a stronger aluminum alloy? Perhaps the technique of playing the stick rarely causes wear. Just some questions...

[@ohadcohen2]

I couldn't find any videos or comments online relative to what Stanley Jordan thinks of the Chapman stick. Does anyone know and could perhaps point me to some reference or other by him?

[@curszondax]

sounds amazing

[@Chopperfreak69]

Wow I so want one!

[@TheDemonofDeath5]

I'm saving up for a stick but I'm not sure which one to get. Like which one is the most preferred one?

[@budhunter09]

I'd go with this one here (the RailBoard). Like Emmett said, he made this one easier to play. And eventually, you could always get the others later... I'm looking at this model myself, too.

[@nathanballein3035]

budhunter09 I'm thinking the same thing.

[@andsalomoni]

I would begin with a standard, wooden stick. Many years ago I would have liked to buy one (I was a King Crimson fan), but now I play guitar and bass (one at a time). The funny thing is that you can play two-hands tapping even on a guitar (see Stanley Jordan).

[@MarkWolfePA]

music credits?, as in titles, credits & links to the music if it is recorded in full anywhere, SoundCloud maybe?

[@663rainmaker]

Beautiful......

[@perboysen]

Very, very interesting video!

[@nonombre7159]

I watched a guy sit in at an open mic at a blues club in Houston, TX and he had a stick and took the place of the bass player and a 2nd guitar. He absolutely scorched the place. Just slaughtered! I wonder whatever happened to him?

[@slamtilt01]

Yep. Time to put down the pick and pick up the stick!

[@skierpage]

It's great but the deck is really long. And it seems stability in a grind would be difficult because of that central truss rod tipping you back and forth. Still, it's great to see new board designs. 🏂

[@JesusisJesus]

But, the craftmanship is absolutely 2nd to none on the traditional Sticks. I can not find one imperfection on it. Every detail is so precise.

[@ImperfectD]

I too wondered more info about the MIDI on both Melody and Bass sides as when ordering my stick before I was told there'd be complication with having MIDI on Bass side, i'm assuming this makes MIDI on both sides much much easier?

[@michaelmartin3026]

Brilliant!

[@Deep42Thought]

oh my.... what you will do then frets wears? because steal are mach harder then aluminum

[@nikola.kovacevic]

Where can the music be found that Kevin Keith plays at the end?

[@freedok]

If the neck is cut from 7075 grade aluminum and hard coated, then the frets (rails) would last indefinitely. Once hard coated, aluminum is basically as tough as tungsten carbide. However, just a guess on my part.

[@MFKR696]

I'm all for the use of metals in stringed-instrument making, but I dunno if I like that plastic headstock one bit.

[@ventu3199]

fabuloso!!...

[@breakfastplan4518]

I think Kevin Keith and Marco Cerletti should work directly for Emmett. They would sell more sticks in the shortest amount of time.

[@JesusisJesus]

I want this so bad. My Rosewood Grand 12 is WAY too heavy to pick up and enjoy playing. This looks light and easy. Notice the serial number? #6200~ I bought #58xx in 2010 and I watched Emmett set it up, he is precise like a jeweller all right. Thats why he only makes a max of about 1 every 3 days.

[@michaelsterling12]

I WANT ONE!

[@iamsavant]

Very nice. wtg - Emmett

[@zygmuntzarzecki]

8:18 yes, you can, Les Claypool

[@sly5999]

What about the first fret location? Isn't there a step missing in a progression starting with an open string note to the next step in the scale on the same string? It would be like taking off the first fret on a bass or on a guitar now wouldn't it? So, how do you manage that? Although I'm sure the new design is an improvement on playability, the older models aren't missing that first fret so how is it an improvement if 10 notes overall are missing? Thanks in advance for answering.

[@ReductioAdAbsurdum]

> Isn't there a step missing in a progression starting with an open string note There are no open string notes on the stick, which is why he can move the nut anywhere he wants. String on the stick are muted with foam when open, and all notes are tapped. The first note is the first fret, so as long as that doesn't move, it's all good. The first note on a guitar is the nut, so it can't move.

[@sly5999]

Thanks! Ok, I get it! I didn't realised that there wasn't any open strings possibilities. Allright... It's kind of funny though to leave these possibilities out. I wonder why Mr Chapman did it this way... I mean, tapping has its particularities but an open note well placed could have been a choice at a certain point in a tune. Maybe he didn't want its sound to be too closely related to the sound of a guitar/bass. I guess it probably makes it easier to play because you don't have to worry about making any accidental unwanted sound with an open string. Well anyway, it's a very nice and very good sounding instrument. Thanks again for the tip. I really appreciate it.

[@ReductioAdAbsurdum]

It mutes open notes because the instrument would be nearly impossible to play otherwise. It's not uncommon for guitar players to do the same when tapping by having something like a hair tie wrapped around the neck, just past the nut, which they pull forward when they want to tap (see: Guthrie Govan). It's even more important on the stick, where it's all tapping all the time.

[@sly5999]

Yeah, great guitarist. I've found what you are talking about. Cool trick.

[@lesliealvareams5263]

Where is the Rail board available... Where to purchase?

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

What if there was an Acoustic Version of that instrument?

[@gregplaysthestick]

I've been playing one for several months, the frets are very hard, anodized aluminum is not soft, it's rock hard. It actually feel like playing on stone ore (edit: I meant "more") than metal!

[@oliverjackson7522]

When you say that it feels like stone ore, I can't help but interpret that negatively if that makes sense. Would you say that's a good thing or a bad thing? I mean, I used to own a 10 string poly-carb, which I loved, and had to part with it only because I was broke at the time. The action was the thing I loved the most. Is the feel similar on the Railboard? I heard EC say that the action is as low as it's ever been, which sounds great to me, but does it combine well with the new material? And finally, do you think it would suit someone at a beginner's level? I guess the more affordable price-range is targeting that market. Sorry to bombard you with questions, but you're the expert in the field! ;)

[@gregplaysthestick]

Oliver Jackson I meant "more" than metal. a typo. The sound of metal strings on metal frets has a very hard attack, and the anodized aluminum is a little mellower sounding on the attack even though it's very hard. Hope that clarifies it.

[@gregplaysthestick]

Oliver Jackson It's great for a beginner. I have a few beginner students who have bought them and they are getting on very well. The mono function makes it easy to plug into any amp with just one cable.

[@oliverjackson7522]

gregplaysthestick Awesome, cheers Greg! Thanks for the info! Certainly helps build a "picture" of the sound.

[@jamesdenny4734]

wow, that's nice

[@nate6692]

Didn't we learn anything about aluminum frets with Ovation?

[@MasterMeijer]

But can it djent?

[@Safarieventcatering]

Anything can be achieved with enough distortion. Well that's my technique anyway.

[@tarkenton3895]

+Rene Meijer Anything can Djent. One of the wonders of modern music.

[@resb1714]

Rene Meijer, is the question not much more: - to a meanwhile pretty lame "can it djent" - "Do YOU djent?" ... and if "yes", it guaranty will!

[@ClarkBattle]

Ask Behold... the Arctopus.

[@Psychentist]

You goddamn right it can djent.

[@robertmizek3315]

Genius!

[@user-zn8bn3tw9m]

wow

[@sprugian]

cool

[@motardedbrett550]

Anybody know the song at the beginning???

[@chapdoc1]

Funk TK2. It's an original piece by Kevin Keith.

[@bluesdriver6354]

WOW!!!

[@terryenglish7132]

I sold my first generation Stick. There should be a version for guitarist w out the weird tuning and backwards strings.

[@fernandoguitar]

There are several different tunings you can choose from. You just have to read thoroughly on the website until you find the one that best fits your needs

[@soth1sol]

oh, it djents. when you consider all the low-end, percussive tones you can strike (w/5 fingers/hand no less), one might think it was an instrument made specifically to djent. on a personal note, in discovering djent since selling my first stick five years ago ...and then stumbling again across the stick site just last week ...i am already sold on a railboard. ordering one this week. :drools:

[@rocketrayray55]

I can barely walk and chew gum simultaneously.

[@sevrothegoblin5212]

Ay London Tipton

[@Deebz270]

LMAO! Coolest comment on here. Brilliant!

[@craigusselman546]

I have always liked and wanted to play a Chapman stick it looks like fun but they are just too much cash. Ill just keep my guitars then.

[@Alex_Khouri]

Exposed truss rod on the back of the neck = YES!!!!! THANK GOD!!!! NO MORE COLOSSALLY-EXPENSIVE TRUSS ROD REPAIRS!!!!

[@ClarkBattle]

Its even better than that. Its attached in the middle so that you can separately adjust the upper and lower curvature! Emmett is a genius.

[@montefullflash500]

the stick trussrods have always been exposed (well, since trussrods were added) so its not just railboard