I've been
designing and manufacturing my various Stick®
models of fretboard tapping stringed instruments for 32
years. The particular two-handed tapping method I created for
The Stick requires very low string action and a light pianistic touch,
each hand approaching the strings from opposite sides of the
neck. The pickups must therefore be louder than guitar and
with a favorable signal-to-noise ratio.
At my very first meeting with William Villex of Villex
eight years ago, I immediately realized in our first Stick sound
experiments that his innovative, miniaturized technology was capable of
incredible volume in a passive, non-powered system, also capable of
unusual versatility of laser like tones "tuned in" by way of his unique
"magnetic circuitry".
Close
to 400 Sticks have now been outfitted with this compact, multifaceted
pickup module, the "PASV-4 Block ™". Usually at
his initiative, William and I have continually added features to
increase tonal variety, switching options, ease and economy of
manufacture, and ergonomics of operation. William's
enthusiasm and imagination is "contageous" and I must say it has been a
real joy working with him all these years.
New modifications are underway to once again add some new
features to my PASV-4 with its four Villex pickups, all custom designed
for The Stick. For photos and
description, please go to http://www.stick.com/instruments/pickups/pasv4/
I'm really impressed with
the Villex system that I use.I have Villex
single coil J Bass pickups in my fretless Adler Sub contra Bass (tuned
Low C# F# B E) and the low end response is clear as a bell, no low end
distortion at all and the overall instrument response is beautiful. It
can be heard on my CD recording"The Low C# Theory".
