Anyone have a Caparison Guitar?

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I have a TAT model. They are fantastic guitars IMO, but I've been arguing in a thread over at sevenstring.org where some people say they've had bad experiences - bad fretwork, etc. The build quality is really good, and the PH-R is a decent pickup, but you'd probably want to replace the mid/neck pickups. A fair amount of people seem to prefer the dellinger or horus models, probably because of the woods. I already have some mahogany guitars so the TAT's alder is a nice alternative.

EDIT: ohhh, you were eyeing the TAT Special. Whole other beast. Expensive, but I want one too.
 
Great guitars. However:

1. The TAT Special is overpriced for what it is. Your best bet is to buy used.
2. Caparison is probably going out of business anyway since Kyouwa (parent company) is having serious financial issues at the moment. Most dealers are dropping their stock over in Japan.

I own a TAT, Horus, Horus HGS and Dellinger 7. If there's something specific you want to know, let me know.
 
Code001":1p39hp1y said:
Great guitars. However:

1. The TAT Special is overpriced for what it is. Your best bet is to buy used.
2. Caparison is probably going out of business anyway since Kyouwa (parent company) is having serious financial issues at the moment. Most dealers are dropping their stock over in Japan.

I own a TAT, Horus, Horus HGS and Dellinger 7. If there's something specific you want to know, let me know.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the info..
I know I probably will never find one locally to try out so I'll wait for one to come up used and take my chances.
 
narad":13jzo7eh said:
I have a TAT model. They are fantastic guitars IMO, but I've been arguing in a thread over at sevenstring.org where some people say they've had bad experiences - bad fretwork, etc. The build quality is really good, and the PH-R is a decent pickup, but you'd probably want to replace the mid/neck pickups. A fair amount of people seem to prefer the dellinger or horus models, probably because of the woods. I already have some mahogany guitars so the TAT's alder is a nice alternative.

EDIT: ohhh, you were eyeing the TAT Special. Whole other beast. Expensive, but I want one too.
Click to expand...
People on that board play Halo and Bugera. So, yeah...
 
They have one of the few newer headstock designs I like with the Devil's Tail....Would like to own one at some point....maybe the Romeo model.
 
I've beat on a TAT and a Horus before. Good guitars, but for the money, you could get a higher end Ibanez for cheaper that is better, IMO
 
The other guitarist in my band plays a Horus...great guitar IMO.
 
I really like that TAT special too. It was pointed out to me The Horus is a 24 3/4" scale neck. That Changed my thoughts of buying one.

The TAT Special is 25 1/2" But the price changed my thoughts on buying one.
 
I had a TAT... it was on par with my older Jacksons and higher end ESP's i had owned as far as finish, fit, playability. Didn't LOVE the pickups but they were fine.
 
IronSheikphotos01.jpg
 
Awesome guitars...

I own a TAT...and have owned a Dellinger and Horus HGS. TAT saounds huuuge, and plays effortlessly. I tried many guitars before buying my TAT, and none of them were even close playability wise.

I wouldn't buy any high end guitar new...just not worth the price.

People want to compare Ibbie high end, but they are very different beasts...

Caparison:
Non-recessed floyd...
Compound radius neck...
Ebony Board...
Unique headstock...
Unique inlays...
Mahogony bodies on most models...

Ibbie:
Recessed floyd...
Flat radius neck...
Very limited ebony...
Standard headstock...
Standard dot inlays on most models...
Basswood bodies on most models...
 
Spaceboy":4n7s70q7 said:
narad":4n7s70q7 said:
I have a TAT model. They are fantastic guitars IMO, but I've been arguing in a thread over at sevenstring.org where some people say they've had bad experiences - bad fretwork, etc. The build quality is really good, and the PH-R is a decent pickup, but you'd probably want to replace the mid/neck pickups. A fair amount of people seem to prefer the dellinger or horus models, probably because of the woods. I already have some mahogany guitars so the TAT's alder is a nice alternative.

EDIT: ohhh, you were eyeing the TAT Special. Whole other beast. Expensive, but I want one too.
Click to expand...
People on that board play Halo and Bugera. So, yeah...
Click to expand...


They also play ENGLs, Bogners, and $4000 Jackson custom shops. ;)

I own:

Angelus HGS
Dellinger 7
Dellinger II Oiled Mahogany
Horus Thundercloud.
And I have owned a TAT II, Applehorn, and another Horus in Desert Sand.
ABSOLUTELY love these guitars. The Horus neck carve is unbelievably comfy. Build quality is superb. As a lot of you guys know, I have a ton of guitars. A lot of them are pretty high end and custom shops as well. The Angelus HGS has trumped every guitar I have to be my number one. DAMN NEAR IMPOSSIBLE to get one usually. I sold my Warriors, PRS', Custom Shop Jacksons, etc. LOVE ITARU's creations. Issues:

Pro finishes get dirty pretty easily.
Pickups are a little weak IMO.


Also, Caparison is not out of business, just a rumor. One that has been quelled now.
 
I got two horus models. Intonation can be a bitch sometimes, fretwork is very different from guitar to guitar. The neck contour is pretty unique, I owned a custom Angelus from Soilwork and a custom Horus from Evergrey, both amazing guitars and they were way above the standard models in terms of resonance and playability. I really like the look on stage, but you'll get way more bang for the buck with other brands.
 
I bought a used horus 3 years ago and I absolutely love that guitar! I think the stock neck pickup sounds good, but I swapped the bridge out for a BKP Painkiller and everytime I pickup that guitar it's just a blast to play on. I love the finish, the construction, and the feel of the neck is just awesome for any kind of shred/fast metal playing. The bridge is great IMO. It hardly goes out of tune. I can't say i've had any issues with intonation, however.
 
Nice guitars, but a bit overpriced for what you get... plus you take a big hit on the re-sale value.
 
I personally had issues with a Caparison I bought new..... Fret work was terrible, I brought the guitar to a well known local tech and he was surprised, he recommended returning it since it was a brand new guitar.

So I brought my concerns up to the dealer I bought the guitar from. The dealer had me bring it to there personal tech to have him check it out. He said the same thing, that the issues were unacceptable on a brand new guitar. The guitar could not be setup to play well, the action had to be extremely high for it not to be a buzzy mess. Both techs said it would at the least need a level and polish but they were both concerned that it still wouldnt be spot on , that a refret would really be the way to go.

So who knows I may have just gotten one that had bad fret work, it happens. However there are several other people I have spoken to that have had similar experiences with Caparison Guitars. Believe me when I tell you I was excited to get one and wanted to love it. For the price they charge for admission I would personally look elsewhere considering there track record is questionable at times.
 
I have played twenty + that either are mine or I used to own or that are owned by friends of mine. Never had an issue. Agreed that sometimes bad guitars can slip through the cracks. My angelus RIPS. :) 'Nuff said. LOVE it.
 
Played a bunch of them (a few TATs, Angelus, Dellinger) and I liked the Dellinger oiled mahogany the best out of all of them. I think the stock pickups are terrible, especially on the TATs. Super thin and lifeless, IMO. Worked on one TAT for a friend that was purchased from Guitar Asylum that absolutely would not play worth a shit no matter what. He took it to another guy who told him the same thing, only after he charged him serious cash to do a fret dress. :doh: He should have sent it back after I told him, not sure why he didn't. :dunno: That same friend has another TAT that plays and sounds killer, after a pickup change.
 
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