Ashdown The Capri Shortscale Gloss Black

A series inspired by classic cars, designed as a "new vintage"

The Capri is designed as a tribute to the timeless elegance of classic automobiles, with a clear nod to the legendary Ford Capri. This approach is reflected both in the design and the sonic spirit: a bass with a distinctive style that aims for the tone and musicality of vintage-inspired instruments, while offering modern and coherent craftsmanship for today's musician.

Who the Capri is best suited for and in which styles

With its short scale format and 19 frets, the Capri is aimed both at beginner bassists seeking easy playability and at intermediate players looking for a second, more compact bass or a different feel. Its single humbucker makes it particularly comfortable in rock, garage, indie, soul, and pop styles, where a solid low-midrange, clear attack, and a sound that effortlessly "fills" the mix are desired.

The sound

The Capri relies on a simple and effective recipe: an Alnico humbucker pickup in the bridge position, passive electronics, and straightforward controls with 1 Volume and 1 Tone. The humbucker delivers dense lows, rich mids, and a natural sense of power while minimizing background noise. The CTS-type potentiometers allow for smooth adjustment: open the tone for more brightness and attack, or close it for a rounder, softer, and vintage sound. The poplar body provides overall balance and consistent response, while the torrefied maple (neck and fingerboard) enhances definition and stability, with a crisp attack appreciated on a 30" / 762 mm scale length.

Recommended compatible accessories

The bass comes with a 45-100 gauge set: you can keep this gauge when replacing strings to preserve the original balance and feel under the fingers. For other accessories (gig bag, case, strap, etc.), compatibility depends on the exact body dimensions and attachment points, so it's best to choose on a case-by-case basis.

Technical specifications

Electronics: microphone configuration	H	Scalloped	Double
Category	Asymmetric	Body	Poplar
Format	Short Scale	Nbre of pickups	1
Left handed	No	Bridge pickup	Alnico Humbucker
Strings	Steel	Electronics	Passive
Nbr of strings	4	Settings	1 x volume and 1 x tone
Neck	Screwed Roasted Maple	Headstock	Matched with the body color
Fingerboard	Roasted maple	Electroacoustic	No
Nbrs of frets	19	Color	Black
Scale (mm)	762 mm	Colours	Gloss Black
Tuning pegs	Vintage	Finishing	Glossy
Original Strings	45-100	Hardware	Chromed
Cover/case	Cover

Number of strings	4	Tuners	Vintage style
Finish	Gloss lacquer	Number of pickups	1
Scale length	30" / 762 mm	Pickup type	Soap Bar
Number of frets	19	Controls	1 x Volume and 1 x Tone