About
Our design philosophy
Sound by Intelligent Design
Caparison Guitars formed in 1995 with the requirements of the player, based on experience of professional musicians at the heart of our design. We aim to build instruments that feel like they were made specifically for you. Using the finest woods, pickups and application of finishes, we ensure the functionality and aesthetics that would traditionally be reserved for custom instruments is applied to every one of our creations. It is our aim to ensure the best possible playability and experience for you.
These are among the basic concepts of Caparison Guitars Design. Design is not only when the pen meets paper, but also the selection of woods, choice of pickups, application of finishes and every component, no matter the size. The total package is everything to us: stability, tone, playability, reliability and aesthetics. At Caparison we want to build you an instrument that, from the hand-applied colours to the unique fingerboard inlays, feels like it was made specifically for you.
Production Process
Handmade by Master Craftsmen
Every guitar is handmade by craftsmen of the highest skill level, exacting the highest level of quality control. Whether built for one of our endorsed artists or for you, each guitar goes through the same hands and rigorous quality process at each step of its progression.
Our iconic "Devils Tail" headstock and "clock" neck inlays, are an instant and recognizable calling card for us, but our level of detail delves deeper into the ultimate functionality of our instruments. Caparison’s unique sound comes from exploring intelligent design, with each instrument hand-wired with the highest quality components; no detail is too small.
For example, the angle of the Caparison headstock, which perfectly set at 15 degrees, is a difficult manufacturing aspect to achieve. We believe that this is the ideal headstock angle for the best sounding guitar, it also allows us to install a locking nut without the need for a string tension bar. Another key Caparison design element is the neck joint of our bolt-on neck guitars, which are set at the same level as that of a set-in neck. The extremely practice work of our experienced craftsmen in joining each neck to the guitar body means that we never need to use shims to compensate the neck angle at the neck joint. The resonance of the instrument is further enhanced by the application of a very thin, soft urethane top coat, a painting technique that requires years of experience to perfect.
Specification
Unique Design and Comfortable Playability
The fingerboard radius on Caparison guitars is a conical 350 mmR from the nut to a flatter 400mm R at the end of the fretboard for better playability for both lead and rhythm.
Caparison-designed pickups are one of the principal components responsible for creating the distinctive character of our electric guitars. Each pickup is developed and tested extensively, in conjunction with different amplifiers, environments and recording setups to develop a specific character for each model. We also select a wiring material that compliments the characteristics of our own pickups.
With hand ergonomics in mind, the Devil's Tail headstock slightly changes the shape of the neck profile from the first fret to the twelfth. It is flat near the nut and curves in assimilation with the shape of the neck. It changes near a flat "D" shape to a medium "C" shape. The neck is thick enough to feel substantial, but not too thick to fatigue while playing.