I'm worn out. After three weekends in a row of seminars and a quick trip to visit bandmates in Holland, I'm beat, pooped, whipped, bedraggled, undone, etc. Glad to be home for most of December, working on projects and resting up. I'm sure there will be some writeups about the events in San Jose and Germany in the near future. Mainly I would say it was wonderful to see so many young players and older players sharing ideas. I'm starting to see a sense of continuum develop. I think the critical mass has been reached, and now the intense exchange of ideas that has been fostered by seminars and discussion groups will only get more intense.

Looking forward to seeing all of you again in the future, and I wish you much success and progress in your playing and music.

Thanks to Ron and Karsten and Heiko for setting things up in Germany and being so supportive.

Happy Tapping,
Greg
http://www.greghoward.com

I have been known to use a capo on occation. I have several tunes I wrote on a guitar with open tuning. I can play these on the Stick by capo-ing the first fret on the melody side, and using a VG-88 to get open tunings electronically. The capo allows the open strings to ring, since it is in front of the damper. I also have a special strap with an extention that puts the Stick in a more guitar-like position for strumming.

It's really only good for emergencies, as the low action and long scale length make it not very comfortable for playing like this. As far as using a capo with tapping, I'm not exactly sure why you'd want to do that. Unless you want open notes to ring out while to tap above them. Most of us try to avoid that!)

...micah

>From: tabbat@citlink.com
>Subject: capo
>Date: Thu, Nov 13, 2003
>
>OK, here's one I cannot figure out logically. Why doesn't a capo change
>the key on a Stick? I have tried it on several frets and cannot figure
>this one out????
>Thanks,
>Terry

Happy Holidays everyone! Starting December 1st (today) and ending December 18th, I will be uploading a different Christmas tune every Monday and Thursday. Each song is my own solo Stick arrangement. If you catch them all, you'll have about 20 minutes of Christmas music to enjoy. Thank you to everyone who has bought my CDs this year. Have a great holiday season.

Chris Crain
stickmusic@earthlink.net
http://home.earthlink.net/~cscrain/stick

Hi everyone,

Last year, SD guitarist Bill Stern organized a Christmas music concert with myself and several others that was such a hit, we're giving it an encore next Tuesday. Not quite "acoustic" with me involved of course, but I've been brushing off the Christmas tunes, and hope to work in a few new surprises as well. Jim Earp btw is one of my favorite SD guitarists, with an amazing touch and something of a Phil Keaggy style. The night will be a mix of instrumentalists and vocal groups. Should be fun!

Tuesday, Dec. 2nd, San Diego at Dizzy's... whose web site highlights:

Tue Dec 2: "An Acoustic Christmas" features singer/songwriters Laura Zambo, Rick Fagan, Chapman Stick virtuoso Tom Griesgraber,& guitarists Jim Earp, William Stern with Jeff Fayman & Lesa Burton, - performing original compositions & holiday favorites - bring the family 7PM - $10 cover

344 Seventh Avenue, between J & K
on the edge of downtown San Diego's East Village

Happy Thanksgiving!

Tom Griesgraber
www.thossounds.com
760-942-1031

hello everyone;

i'm just back from the World Stick Seminar in San Jose this past weekend. it was the biggest Stick event in history with 57 students and 9 teachers. people came from as far away as Italy, France, United Kingdom and- even New York! the european teachers were very well received and they are certainly keeping the Stick momentum going 'across the pond'. a great event.

my new CD, "Carnival" is now in production and it should be available just before Christmas. i'll announce it in the December performance calendar. hey- it's the perfect stocking stuffer! there are 13 songs total with 4-5 new original compositions. i also recorded a couple of nice tunes in duo with saxophone, thanks to my good friend and awesome saxophonist, Arthur Trinchera. you will no doubt enjoy his incredible technique and soulful performance. the Stick and the sax were made for each other!

november has been a little bit slower as the summer season finally wound down. things are picking up in december though, as you'll see below. hope to see you again at another upcoming performance. in the meantime, have a very Happy Thanksgiving.

all the best from;

Michael Kollwitz
Chapman Stick player since 1976
(916) 489-2833
www.michaelkollwitz.com

PERFORMANCE CALENDAR:

Tue. 12/2 5:00pm - 9:00 pm: Merriment on Main Street in downtown Vacaville, CA IÕll be performing at 501 Main St. for this event. For more info- www.thereporter.com

Wed. 12/3 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm: Stark Designs Fine Jewelry- 556 Pavilions Lane, Sacramento I will be providing music for the Holiday Design Showcase. For more info call (916) 923-2533.

Fri. 12/5 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm: Lodi First Friday Artist's Reception: I'll provide music for indoor event sponsored by Lodi Arts at 125 S. Hutchins in Lodi. For more info- www.lodiarts.org

Sat. 12/6 10:00am Š 5:00pm: Christmas in the Village in Fair Oaks, CA at Sunrise & Fair Oaks Blvd. I'll be performing in a booth all day. For more info- www.fairoakschamber.com

Sun. 12/7 7:00 am - 8:00 am: 21st California International Marathon. I' ll be performing somewhere along the racecourse but not sure exactly where. For more info- www.runcim.org

Sat. 12/13 4:00 pm - 8:00 pm: KR Gallery of Art & Fiber @ 5207 Madison Ave. in Sacramento. I'll be providing music for Christmas Open House event. For more info call (916) 349-9593.

Mon. 12/22 & Tue. 12/23 1:00 pm - 3:00pm: Solano Street Merchants Association Christmas event (Berkeley)-. I'll be playing both days out on Solano St.- just within Albany city limits (just a few feet out of Berkeley). For more info- www.solanoave.org.

Our web guy has put up a 1 minute clip of the 2003 Long Beach (NY) Jazz Festival at our site. www.longbeachjazzfest.com There should be more on the site later. It was so interesting producing the festival. I look forward to starting up soon for 2004.

Steve Adelson

Hello (again) everyone,

To celebrate the season (and hopefully raise some money to help with ongoing recording projects!) I'm offering two "holiday specials" on CDs. Now through Dec 25, 2003 order both Agent 22 CD's for only $15, or if you have a lot of people to shop for, buy three sets at this price and I'll throw in the fourth free. (that's 8 CDs for just $45).

You can find full details at www.thossounds.com

My site now offers secure online ordering (finally!) thanks to PayPal. Of course as always you can also order by phone or mail if you prefer.

Thanks!
Tom Griesgraber
www.thossounds.com

Hi Paul and everyone,

--- "Paul W. Frields" wrote:
> So Don,
>
>When are you going to give us your thoughts on that
>shiny new Line 6
>Bass PODxt Pro? Christmas is just around the
>corner.... (And yes, I am
>definitely asking publicly to force your hand!) :-)
>
>Paul F.

Ah Haaaa! I've been flushed out from hiding behind the dessert table! Hang on, washing down the 'cream puff's and assorted cakes with a (what else) hot coffee.

When I was a "Busboy" (back in the day workin'to get my Vegas Union card ) I learned how to pass through a crowded room. I observed the waiters with huge trays of hot coffee's saying, " HOT COFFEE, Comin' through, watch you backs!!" and the 'sea of humanity' would part even before lookin' to see what was comin' through. SO, just yell it as you pass through a crowd... The down side is that you'll have a whole line of 'coffee-holics' like me following you for the hot coffee.

Okay, what was I asked... Oh yes, Line 6 Pod. Well the one they gave me to test was the "Bean" version. I was on the road and missed out on the rack version. The rack versions have the same 'inerds' (inside circuitry) as the 'bean' but the rack has more hook up/connection options. In other words they should 'sound' the same.

What I like about this years bean model is that you have left and right outs. One side could just be your sound straight through sound and the other side is all the effects, eq, compression etc.,. Real nice for recording or live playing when you notice the "chorus" effect taking your lows away. You always retain that clear clean bottom with that 'straight' sound.

The best thing I like about it is the compressor. It models the LA 2A very well and it automatically allows for volume drop/rise as you increase/decrease compression. It stays nice and even.

The effects are the same you'll find in there stand alone 'effect' stomp peddles. They feature in the Pod modeling all the classic amps "SVT, Ampeg flip top, Acoustic 360, Fender bassman and many more. Over 50 Stompbox, Synth, and Studio Effects - Biamp output mode with selectable crossover - Deep Editing -
USB Digital I/O
WHEW....
and more stuff too!

Hey, go to: http://www.line6.com/BassPODxt/features.asp
and they rattle off a little more info.

Okay, commercial over.

I found the front panel to be easy enough to work and really, using it as a 'desk top' unit, the shape and knob placements make sense. Trying to squeeze it into your peddle board or rack, well maybe that's why there is a rack version.

The editing was a little cryptic to me. I'm no technical wizard and my attempts to "Let me just have at it! and make it do what I wanted"... well... I got lost in the "buttons and knobs" - to reach a certain layer which then allows you to get where you want. BUT... hey, once I read the manual (brief glance) I got where I needed and it worked out just fine.

What I didn't like: I used to own or on tour rented most of the amps they model. I am very familiar with what they sound like. The modeling is close, but more like a picture of a beautiful lake rather than being there and seeing it.

I would look at the modeling more as tone shape options to start with. The same with the 'effects'. I was excited to see "Memory Man, Small Stone, Echoplex, Big Muff and many more..." that I also owned or played through... samething however, close but not the same.

Sure It may sound snobby but performing in circles that use the 'real deal' equipment you know the sounds. If I'm told I get 'all that' in a box, I'm excited. So it's more like, you get close to it in a box. Still nice.

An excellent unit for going out and recording/live... quick and easy, you'll have a wonderful sound, with quick and easy presets for modeling and effects. AND reverbs and delays which as bassists ... we don't usually get those options in gear.

You'll have a blast creating 'your own' sound and that is where I think the strength in this unit is.

Oddly enough I use the bass pod for the top side of my NS at times for live and recording. When I had both guitar and bass pods... I still liked the bass pod better for my top side. WARNING "Remember your getting advice from me... I'm writing while thinking I'm at a dessert cart!"

Hope that helped... pass the chocolate cookies down would ya!"
Don

One of my students is selling a Stick.
Specs:
Grand , Rosewood
Rails
Standard 6 + 6
Standard Stick Pickup
Hard case
Black and silver tuners
Mint condition
It does have the Roland MIDI pickup as well.

$2000

E-mail me and cc: Borg7OF9B@aol.com (Chris)

Steve A.

Trying to gear up for a new Stick, so I've decided to try and clear out some things I'm not using.

Behringer Virtualizer multi-effects $50
Behringer Autocom dual channel compressor $50
Alesis QS7 76 key synth $300 OBO original version
(Blueburst) Music Man Silhoutte Guitar $700, 1 year old in excellent condition. Takamine EGC230 acoustic/electric guitar $200, 5 months old.

Anyone interested please contact at mightyoak10@yahoo.com
Thanks, Pete G.

Copyright 2003 by Greg Howard, all rights reserved, except where noted. The opinions expressed by subscribers and contributors to this digest are not necessarily those of the publisher. Any business transactions arranged by readers of Sticknews are solely their responsibility, and not those of Greg Howard.

Stick and Chapman Stick are registered trademarks of Stick Enterprises, Inc., and are used in the title of this digest with permission.

end of Sticknews #234