Ashdown The Saint Artisan Cardinal Flame

An Elegant Bass in the Saint Artisan Range

The The Saint Artisan Cardinal Flame is part of a range designed for bassists looking for a reliable, expressive instrument with a particularly striking appearance. Its asymmetrical double-cutaway body promotes a natural playing position, while its flame maple top adds a premium touch to the Cardinal Flame finishing. The deep red color and glossy finishing reveal the maple’s grain, making this a bass that stands out just as much on stage as it does in rehearsal.

This 4-string electric bass combines classic design choices with more contemporary features. The vintage-style fixed bridge, vintage-inspired tuners and P/J configuration are reminiscent of the major references in electric bass design. Added to these are a roasted maple neck, stainless steel frets and a dual-action truss rod—features valued for their stability, comfort and durability.

A Versatile P/J Bass for the Bassist Who Wants to Play Everything

The The Saint Artisan Cardinal Flame is equally suited to a serious beginner, an intermediate player or an experienced bassist looking for a versatile electric bass. Its C-shaped neck profile offers a familiar, accessible feel, making it suitable for long rehearsals as well as daily practice. The 20 frets and double cutaway also make it easier to reach the higher notes without compromising the playing feel in the lower register of the neck.

Thanks to its P-Bass and J-Bass pickup configuration, it adapts to a wide range of styles: rock, pop, funk, soul, blues, jazz, reggae and independent music. The P-Bass-style pickup delivers full, solid bass lines that are ideal for supporting a band. The J-Bass-style pickup provides greater precision and definition, particularly for nuanced fingerstyle playing, pick attacks or more percussive grooves.

Powerful Low End, Present Mids and Precise Attack

The poplar body provides a balanced foundation, with an even response that allows the P/J electronics to fully express their character. The flame maple top primarily contributes to the instrument’s visual identity, while the roasted maple neck and key contribute to a clear attack and a direct resonant feel. The roasting process also improves the wood’s stability in response to normal temperature and humidity fluctuations.

The two passive pickups, hand-wired and equipped with Alnico V magnets, offer a dynamic, musical character. The P-Bass pickup delivers warm, round and punchy lows, with enough midrange presence to maintain good clarity in a mix. The J-Bass pickup complements this foundation with a more incisive register, particularly useful for achieving precise highs or enhancing the definition of each note.

The two independent volume controls allow you to balance each pickup and create the right blend for the song. Used on its own, the P-Bass pickup emphasizes depth and fullness, while the J-Bass pickup places more focus on articulation. Combining both produces a balanced, broad and versatile sound. The master tone control, paired with CTS-style potentiometers, can then be used to soften the highs or maintain a more open response depending on the desired playing style.

The vintage-style fixed bridge is equipped with copper saddles, a choice that promotes efficient transmission of the strings’ vibrations to the body. Combined with the roasted maple bolt-on neck, it contributes to a direct response, consistent sustain and an attack precise enough for both rhythmic lines and melodic passages.

Recommended Compatible Accessories

To preserve the original feel, this bass can be fitted with 4-string electric bass strings in a 45–105 gauge, matching the factory setup. The included gig bag already makes it easy to transport the instrument every day. For playing while standing, an electric bass strap can be added to the strap buttons fitted to the instrument.

Technical specifications

Category	Asymmetric	Scalloped	Double
Nbr of strings	4	Body	Poplar
Top	Flamed maple	Bridge / tailpiece	Fixed
Neck	Screwed Roasted Maple	Nbre of pickups	2
Neck format	C	Electronics	Passive
Radius	350 mm	Settings	2 x volume and 1 x tone
Fingerboard	Roasted maple	Electroacoustic	No
Nbrs of frets	20	Color	Red
Scale (mm)	864 mm	Colours	Cardinal Flame
Tuning pegs	Vintage	Finishing	Glossy
Original Strings	45-105	Hardware	Chromed
Cover/case	Cover

Format	asymmetrical	Saddles	copper
Cutaway	double cutaway	Tuning machines	vintage, 18:1 ratio
Colorway	Cardinal Flame	Factory strings	45-105 gauge
Neck profile	C-shaped	Gig bag/case	gig bag included
Key	roasted maple	Number of pickups	2
Number of frets	20	Pickup configuration	P-Bass and J-Bass
Frets	stainless steel	Pickups	hand-wired with Alnico V magnets
Scale length	34 inches / 864 mm	Controls	2 volume controls and 1 tone control
Truss rod	dual-action	Potentiometers	CTS type
Bridge	fixed, vintage-style