Caparison?

[FourT6and2]

Thinking about getting one. I played one, briefly, in Japan (don't remember the model) and liked it. I'll be using it for down-tunning (full step down). I'm trying to decide if I should do it or not. Currently, I'm using a cheap Jackson Dinky that I gutted and through in an EMG 85/81 combo. It's sounds alright, but it plays awful.

Looking at the TAT II (Frozen Sky, Dark Night), Angulus TR (Trans Black) and TAT Special (Trans Black).

 

[Code001]

Is there a question about them you have or something?

 

[BIGKAHUNA]

Is there a question about them you have or something?

I would love to hear about these from those of you that have experiemce with them. Now that I have my Charvel GAS almost cured Caparison GAS will soon take over. It took a while for them to grow on me but I have really taken to them. Love the TAT and the Horus.

 

[BIGKAHUNA]

Thinking about getting one. I played one, briefly, in Japan (don't remember the model) and liked it. I'll be using it for down-tunning (full step down). I'm trying to decide if I should do it or not. Currently, I'm using a cheap Jackson Dinky that I gutted and through in an EMG 85/81 combo. It's sounds alright, but it plays awful.

Looking at the TAT II (Frozen Sky, Dark Night), Angulus TR (Trans Black) and TAT Special (Trans Black).

Do it Brotha! I love this one!

 

[FourT6and2]

Is there a question about them you have or something?

Nothing specific. Just looking for opinions about them. It seems like there are a lot of variations between models and between the same models of different releases? It's like they're always changing little things Hard to wrap my head around it all.

Ideally, I'd love a TAT with bridge humbucker and slanted neck single coil, no middle pickup, 27 frets, maple neck with either maple board or ebony board.

Kind like the trans black, frozen sky or purple finishes.

Love the look of these, but I think I'd prefer a TAT style over the Angelus/Horus. Who knows...

And are all the frets like this - rounded? I like it. But this is the only one I've seen like it:

 

[Code001]

I would love to hear about these from those of you that have experiemce with them. Now that I have my Charvel GAS almost cured Caparison GAS will soon take over. It took a while for them to grow on me but I have really taken to them. Love the TAT and the Horus.

Nothing specific. Just looking for opinions about them. It seems like there are a lot of variations between models and between the same models of different releases? It's like they're always changing little things Hard to wrap my head around it all.

Just think of them as any other higher quality Jackson, Ibanez, ESP, etc. The TAT is somewhat unique due to the neck angle and the way the bridge is. It feels more like a Les Paul, especially with the way the trem is positioned from the body. The Horus also feels somewhat like a Les Paul with the shorter scale. The necks are generally medium sized with a "D" shape.

Ideally, I'd love a TAT with bridge humbucker and slanted neck single coil, no middle pickup, 27 frets, maple neck with either maple board or ebony board.

Look into the TAT Special, but they're $$$. I think they're overpriced when you could easily get a custom Suhr/Anderson/Tyler for just as much.

And are all the frets like this - rounded? I like it. But this is the only one I've seen like it:

Nope. There are luthiers that can do that for you, though. FWIW, J-Customs and custom ESPs both have that rounding done to them.

 

[FourT6and2]

I would love to hear about these from those of you that have experiemce with them. Now that I have my Charvel GAS almost cured Caparison GAS will soon take over. It took a while for them to grow on me but I have really taken to them. Love the TAT and the Horus.

Nothing specific. Just looking for opinions about them. It seems like there are a lot of variations between models and between the same models of different releases? It's like they're always changing little things Hard to wrap my head around it all.

Just think of them as any other higher quality Jackson, Ibanez, ESP, etc. The TAT is somewhat unique due to the neck angle and the way the bridge is. It feels more like a Les Paul, especially with the way the trem is positioned from the body. The Horus also feels somewhat like a Les Paul with the shorter scale. The necks are generally medium sized with a "D" shape.

Ideally, I'd love a TAT with bridge humbucker and slanted neck single coil, no middle pickup, 27 frets, maple neck with either maple board or ebony board.

Look into the TAT Special, but they're $$$. I think they're overpriced when you could easily get a custom Suhr/Anderson/Tyler for just as much.

And are all the frets like this - rounded? I like it. But this is the only one I've seen like it:

Nope. There are luthiers that can do that for you, though. FWIW, J-Customs and custom ESPs both have that rounding done to them.

I played a bunch of ESP's at the custom shop in Japan. Didn't really like them actually. I thought I would. But, nope.

Yeah, the TAT Specials are crazy expensive. I'm going to look for a used model. Thanks for the info. In fact, that purple one I posted is for sale over at the Caparison Forums, but the seller is in UK and that's going to add a tone to shipping and such.

 

[Code001]

The purple one used to be one of Pete's (The Absence) old customs. He has some sick custom Suhrs at the moment.

What didn't you like about the ESPs? If it was the feel, Caparisons feel more like Jacksons than ESPs. The tonal aspect is too hard to comment on due to so many variables. I like my ESP and Caparisons for different reasons.

 

[FourT6and2]

The purple one used to be one of Pete's (The Absence) old customs. He has some sick custom Suhrs at the moment.

What didn't you like about the ESPs? If it was the feel, Caparisons feel more like Jacksons than ESPs. The tonal aspect is too hard to comment on due to so many variables. I like my ESP and Caparisons for different reasons.

I prefer the feel of Jacksons (at least the few I've played). The ESPs I played just felt... cheap, like plastic. They were light and the necks were too small and the fretboards too narrow. I've only played one Caparison, but I really liked it. But I don't remember what model it was, all I know is it had no trem and was one of the HGS models.

 

[Code001]

My Horus is actually fairly light, if that makes any difference. Weight doesn't necessarily = tone. The Caparison necks aren't that much thicker than the ESP necks. The radius might be the thing you were griping about, but considering you have a Gibson in your avatar (which have the same radius as the standard ESPs), I don't think that's the case. The nut width is the exact same, too. I'm not trying to criticize you, but it's just something to keep in mind.

 

[mrp5150]

I've owned 20 Caparisons and they're amazing guitars. They have a really unique look and they're not for everyone, but I think they're fantastic. I also love their stock bridge pickups. The PH-R is one of the nicest sounding metal pickups out there IMO. I would check www.digimart.net for cheaper, used models. The new prices are a little bit out of hand now. They used to be a lot cheaper.

 

[cdm]

the angelus on the left was mine once! if you're a gibson type of guy, get one of the angelus models! the angelus was one of the best caparisons I've owned.

 

[FourT6and2]

My Horus is actually fairly light, if that makes any difference. Weight doesn't necessarily = tone. The Caparison necks aren't that much thicker than the ESP necks. The radius might be the thing you were griping about, but considering you have a Gibson in your avatar (which have the same radius as the standard ESPs), I don't think that's the case. The nut width is the exact same, too. I'm not trying to criticize you, but it's just something to keep in mind.

Interesting. The ESPs I played were the Horizons NTIIs I believe. I really wanted to like them, but I dunno they didn't feel right. Maybe it's in my head. Weight isn't the issue, they just felt wrong.

 

[FourT6and2]

the angelus on the left was mine once! if you're a gibson type of guy, get one of the angelus models! the angelus was one of the best caparisons I've owned.

Why'd you sell it? I don't consider myself a "gibson guy" but I do love my Silverburst, although my PRS does play better (larger radius and wider nut). I'm looking for a guitar that I can play down-tuned (think Killswitch Engage). I absolutely love the look of those Transparent Black Burst Angelus models. But I might not be wanting something that I already have in terms of style of axe. I want to fill the void missing in terms of my guitars. I've got the LP, I've got the PRS and I've got a Jackson (but I'm looking to replace it as it's pretty cheap and plays bad). I literally bought the Jackson for $400 and just replaced the pickups and electronics to make it somewhat worth it.

I've owned 20 Caparisons and they're amazing guitars. They have a really unique look and they're not for everyone, but I think they're fantastic. I also love their stock bridge pickups. The PH-R is one of the nicest sounding metal pickups out there IMO. I would check http://www.digimart.net for cheaper, used models. The new prices are a little bit out of hand now. They used to be a lot cheaper.

Thanks, I'll check out the link.

 

[mrp5150]

My Horus is actually fairly light, if that makes any difference. Weight doesn't necessarily = tone. The Caparison necks aren't that much thicker than the ESP necks. The radius might be the thing you were griping about, but considering you have a Gibson in your avatar (which have the same radius as the standard ESPs), I don't think that's the case. The nut width is the exact same, too. I'm not trying to criticize you, but it's just something to keep in mind.

Interesting. The ESPs I played were the Horizons NTIIs I believe. I really wanted to like them, but I dunno they didn't feel right. Maybe it's in my head. Weight isn't the issue, they just felt wrong.

Most ESP's feel "plastic" to me. The paint is entirely too thick on most of their guitars, and I never thought they were all that special. Caparisons feel very different than ESP's. I've owned a few Horizons as well, so I know exactly what you mean.

 

[FourT6and2]

My Horus is actually fairly light, if that makes any difference. Weight doesn't necessarily = tone. The Caparison necks aren't that much thicker than the ESP necks. The radius might be the thing you were griping about, but considering you have a Gibson in your avatar (which have the same radius as the standard ESPs), I don't think that's the case. The nut width is the exact same, too. I'm not trying to criticize you, but it's just something to keep in mind.

Interesting. The ESPs I played were the Horizons NTIIs I believe. I really wanted to like them, but I dunno they didn't feel right. Maybe it's in my head. Weight isn't the issue, they just felt wrong.

Most ESP's feel "plastic" to me. The paint is entirely too thick on most of their guitars, and I never thought they were all that special. Caparisons feel very different than ESP's. I've owned a few Horizons as well, so I know exactly what you mean.

I think I really want that purple one for sale in the UK. For some reason I want it. Like right now.

Also, what color name is this one? Same owner, too. It seems like every Caparison I see that I like belongs to this same guy in the UK.

And the one on the far right

 

[mrp5150]

That first one is a Black Forest Horus. The most rare finish they've done. Only 5 were ever made. Itaru Kanno has one, that guy from the UK has one, and I've seen some random Japanese guy who owns another. The red one is a Crimson Horus. Only 10 of those were ever made. That and the Black Forest Horus were both made at the same time, around 2003 I think. In the pictures there, the Crimson isn't stock. He put a neck from a Horus HGS on it. It should have a stock, unbound rosewood board.

 

[mrp5150]

And here's one of my favorites. Custom Horus made for CJ Grimmark. Belongs to someone on the BMusic forum now. Such a gorgeous color. Only guitar they've ever made with that finish.

 

[FourT6and2]

Damn, why do I always love certain finishes only to find out you can't get one!

That Black Forest is awesome. But, I do like that violet one, too.

I think that blue one you posted sort of looks like a mix of Frozen Sky and a little violet.

 

[mrp5150]

And since I'm bored, here's some of my other favorites. Lots of Caparison history for you!

Gackt Custom Egyptian Horus

Venus Gackt Signature Model (I owned this one, crazy guitar. 6 bolt neck joint.)

Marcury Gackt Signature Model

Tom Englund Custom Horus (my favorite Caparison finish, only been done on this guitar)

Peter Wichers Custom Dellinger (used to record A Predator's Portrait)

Ola Frenning Custom Horus with Soilwork logo

Peter's same Dellinger from above with black hardware and Ola Frenning's Custom Horus (also used on A Predator's Portrait)

Black Sparkle TAT (very hard to find, only a few were made)

Pirate Horus mockup by Peter Joseph that never got made

FKV's (also made in plain black)

Nils Norberg Custom 7 String Snow Cloud Dellinger

Andy LaRocque Custom Lava Horus

Chris Amott's Iceberg TAT which was set on fire and shot with a nail gun (used to record Stigmata)

Anders Bjorler's Custom Angelus models

Peter Wichers "As We Speak" Dellinger (used in the music video)

Crimson Horus

Autumn Rust Dellinger (custom painted by Steve Stell of Enforsaken)

Purple TAT (I can't recall the exact finish name, but it's different than the Iris Violet Horus)

One of IA Eklundh's first Custom Apple Horn's (in some Swedish museum, very old guitar)

PLM-1 Pete Lesperance Signature model

Olof Morck (Dragonland) Custom Horus

And a sweet Caparison clock they have at the factory