Size and price are the all that's small about the SlapStick Noodle ! Nicknamed the 'Noodle' because of its steel strap resembling a flat egg noodle, the high-quality N-100 is precision-machined from robust 6061 aluminum.

Weighing only several ounces and 28-inches long, it's hard to believe just how deep and rich the sound of the Noodle can be! Small enough to fit in a suitcase yet 'big' enough to shake the walls, the Noodle is sure to turn heads at your next live show! Take it from Dr. Lonnie Smith, who takes his SlapStick Noodle Walking Cane around the world, and plays it at every show!

Where did the idea come from?

Andy was drumming on a long shipping crate with a tightly-wound steel strap around it, and a small air-gap under the strap. Slapping this strap made a heck of a sound, the wooden lid acting as a soundboard. Shortly (about 7-minutes) after making this discovery was made, the truck came to pick up the crate. This sudden loss motivated Andy Graham to attempt to duplicate and electrify this concept but by using a lightweight, strong aluminum body. Several years of engineering and tinkering in his secret shop resulted in a brand-new instrument...which is much easier to drag onstage than a 500-pound crate.

Electric percussion?? That's not a drum!

It's electric because it uses an internal pickup (transducer) to convert the vibrations of the strap into an electric signal just like an electric guitar. It's a percussion instrument because of the manner that it is played: by hitting the strap in various ways with you hands, fingers, face, etc.. It's tuned because of the strap can be open-tuned to a particular key. It is also 'fretted' like a stand-up bass, allowing you to play percussive melody lines.

What kind of amp do you recommend to play this thing through?

This really depends on how you like to play. If you are just going to record, you can bypass the amp all together. The pickup is designed to catch a full range of frequencies and delivers a strong signal. A keyboard amp will take advantage of the frequency range the best, giving you the most choices. If you want to blow your windows out and freak-out the cat, a giant bass amp will do just fine.

What about using electronic effects?

This is where the fun begins! You can play these things with any electronic effect, looper, or other sound-processing gear. The Digitech RP-1000 is a great multi-effects processor to start with.

What about using a violin bow?

Yes...and the trippy harmonics sound quite amazing...especially with effects!

Kirile Loo - Saatus