Home
Forum
History
Pickups
-Color Codes
Wiring
Setups/Repairs
Modifications
Caparison initial stages
Although Caparison Guitars was founded in 1995, production models were not available until 1996. The first production models available were the TAT, Horus and Angelus FSW models. All of which were discontinued shortly after and reintroduced(except for the Angelus FSW which just came back as the Angelus). No signature models were produced the first year. (note: The Horus, although a production model was actually supposed to be the signature model for Chacha-Maru)
In addition to the Caparison line of guitars, a line of inexpensive guitars under the brand name of “Chatting Bird by Caparison” were also produced during the early years. The brand didn’t fare too well in the Japanese market and the line was eventually terminated leaving only the Caparison brand of guitars with no inexpensive line supporting them. (Many of the Chatting Bird models were Korean made but some were also made in Japan, but were of lower quality to the Caparison branded guitars).
With the financial backing of Kyowa-Shokai, Caparison Guitars began searching for potential endorsees but as it was difficult to convince high profile guitar players to switch endorsements, efforts were put into looking for new up and coming guitarists/bands for endorsement contracts looking mostly from within Japan and the various bands that came to Japan to Perform.
Sometime between 1997 to 1998, the first signature models were produced, the first being the Angelus-ACE for the Japanese guitarist ACE Shimizu, followed by the PLM-1 for Pete Lesperance(Harem Scarem, also the first International endorsee). Shortly after, Chris Amott of Arch Enemy was picked up(no signature model was made until many more years later).
While Caparison was getting the endorsement band wagon rolling, more international artists were picked up, with the endorsements from Steve Salas & Mattias “IA” Eklundh in 1999(the Steve Salas model was available for sale in 1999, the Mattias Eklundh Apple Horn first appeared in 2000). Other endorsees slowly followed suit at the rate of about 2-3 new endorsees each year helping bring the Caparison Brand out of the unknown. (Gackt & Fumihiko were endorsed in 2000 with their signature models appearing in 2001. Peter Wichers and Ola Frenning of Soilwork were picked up in 2000. Tom S. Englund and Henrik Danhage of Evergrey were picked up in 2001. The guys from from Killswitch Engage were picked up in 2002. James Murphy in 2003, Steve Stell of Enforsaken, Anders Bjorler of The Haunted and Michael Romeo of Symphony X were all picked up in 2004)
Caparison Current:
2003, marked the year the Dellinger became available. Initially available only as a signature model for Chris Amott(and replacing the void left when the TAT was discontinued). The Dellinger-CA(Chris Amott) eventually evolved into the Dellinger and Dellinger II we have today, phasing out the original Dellinger-CA signature model.
Many more models were introduced along with new innovations to improve on their existing designs. These include HGS(Heavy Gauge String) and the new FD Satin finishes as well as innovations in their pickups. (The PH-R is still one of the best sounding guitars around!)
The English Caparison website came into existence in March, 2004 and opened the doors to the rest of the world(I believe the Caparison website is actually maintained by Mr. Kanno himself). Prior to creating an English website, very few people knew of the existence of Caparison guitars and those that did had trouble sourcing information. Since the initial launch of the English website, very little has actually changed on the website since, but at least provided information to those who couldn’t read Japanese.
Currently, Caparison guitar is one of the fastest growing brand names thanks to the bands and artists they endorsed years ago slowly making their way into the spotlight now. With the ongoing efforts by Caparison to pick up new endorsees, I strongly believe that Caparison will become a common brand name along the likes of Ibanez, Jackson and ESP. However, distribution outside of Japan was and still is very limited, so getting a Caparison guitar now is only marginally easier than before. If distribution channels ramp up, Caparison Guitars may be a common name sooner than later, but if not, we can still at least expect the same quality craftsmanship when buying a Caparison Guitar.
Copyright 2008 Caparison FORUM