Ashdown Roasted Capri Short Scale Bass in Gloss Black

The Ashdown Roasted Capri Gloss Black is a distinctive 30-inch short-scale bass designed for players who want an easy-playing instrument with plenty of personality. Combining retro-inspired styling with a roasted maple neck and fingerboard, passive electronics and an Alnico soapbar pickup design, the Capri offers a straightforward approach to getting a warm, characterful bass sound.

Its 30-inch scale length makes the Capri noticeably more compact than a conventional 34-inch long-scale bass. The shorter reach can feel immediately comfortable for younger players, guitarists moving across to bass, musicians with smaller hands and experienced bassists who simply prefer the softer feel and fast response of a short-scale instrument.

Finished in Gloss Black with a matching headstock and chrome hardware, the Capri has a bold visual identity that suits everything from indie and alternative music to classic rock, pop, soul and studio work.

Why Choose the Ashdown Roasted Capri?

The Capri is more than simply a smaller bass. Its short-scale construction changes both the playing experience and the way the instrument responds.

Comfortable 30-Inch Short Scale

A standard electric bass commonly uses a 34-inch scale length, while the Capri reduces this to 30 inches.

That means:

• Less distance between the frets
• A shorter reach towards the lower positions
• Easier stretches across the fingerboard
• A more relaxed string feel
• Comfortable playing during longer sessions

It can be particularly appealing to guitarists who find a conventional bass physically large or bass players looking for something quicker and more compact.

Roasted Maple Neck and Fingerboard

The Capri uses roasted maple for both the neck and fingerboard.

Roasting maple removes moisture from the timber through a controlled heat-treatment process. Aside from its darker appearance, roasted maple is valued for its smooth playing feel and increased dimensional stability.

The maple fingerboard also contributes to the Capri's clean attack and note definition, helping bass lines remain articulate despite the naturally rounder response associated with short-scale instruments.

Alnico Soapbar Bass Pickup

At the heart of the Capri is its chrome-covered Alnico soapbar pickup design.

Alnico magnets have been used in countless classic electric guitar and bass pickups and are particularly associated with a musical, responsive character.

The Capri's passive design keeps operation simple and direct. Plug into your bass amplifier, shape the sound to suit your playing and concentrate on the performance rather than navigating complicated electronics.

19-Fret Layout

The Capri features 19 frets, providing plenty of range for traditional bass playing while keeping the instrument compact.

For rock, indie, pop, blues, soul, funk, songwriting, recording and general gigging, the layout offers all the range most players regularly need.

Matching Gloss Black Headstock

The matching headstock gives the Gloss Black version a particularly cohesive appearance.

Combined with its chrome hardware and retro body shape, it gives the Capri a character of its own rather than simply looking like a scaled-down version of a conventional bass.

What Does a 30-Inch Short Scale Bass Feel Like?

Short-scale basses have become increasingly popular with both beginners and experienced musicians.

The 30-inch scale of the Ashdown Capri places the frets closer together than those on a traditional 34-inch bass. The difference might sound relatively small on paper, but it can make a substantial difference in your hands.

Players typically notice that stretches become easier and movement around the fingerboard requires less effort.

Shorter bass strings also tend to have a softer feel at equivalent tuning, helping with:

• Fingerstyle playing
• Pick playing
• String bends
• Faster position changes
• Longer practice sessions

Tonally, short-scale basses are often appreciated for their rounded fundamental and immediate low-end response.

Rather than trying to imitate a full-scale bass, the Capri embraces those characteristics and combines them with the clarity of its roasted maple construction and Alnico pickup.

Who Is the Ashdown Capri Bass For?

Beginners

The shorter neck and closer fret spacing can make the Capri much less intimidating than a conventional long-scale bass.

New players can concentrate on developing good technique without having to make unnecessarily large stretches.

Guitarists Moving to Bass

Electric guitar players often feel immediately comfortable on a 30-inch bass.

The reduced scale makes the transition less dramatic while still providing the sound and playing role of a genuine electric bass.

Short-Scale Bass Fans

Players who already enjoy instruments such as Mustangs, violin basses and other 30-inch designs should find plenty to like here.

The Capri offers its own Ashdown identity rather than simply copying one of the established short-scale classics.

Recording Musicians

A short-scale bass can be extremely useful in the studio.

Its naturally rounded response can sit particularly well beneath guitars, keyboards and vocals without demanding excessive EQ.

Players Wanting a Compact Second Bass

Even if your main instrument is a full-scale bass, the Capri provides a noticeably different playing feel and tonal option.

It can make an excellent second instrument for rehearsals, songwriting or sessions where a softer, more vintage-influenced bass response is required.

Ashdown Capri vs Popular Short-Scale Alternatives

Ashdown Capri vs Ibanez Mikro

The Ibanez Mikro is even smaller and is particularly popular with beginners and younger players.

The Ashdown Capri's 30-inch scale feels more like a traditional short-scale bass and should appeal to musicians who want compact dimensions without moving all the way to an ultra-short instrument.

The Capri also has a noticeably more retro visual direction.

Choose the Capri if: you want classic short-scale dimensions, retro styling and straightforward passive electronics.

Choose the Mikro if: minimum size and reach are the main priorities.

Ashdown Capri vs Squier Mustang Bass

The Mustang is one of the established names in the short-scale bass world.

Both instruments use a compact 30-inch format, but the Capri offers an alternative visual identity with its roasted maple construction, matching headstock and Ashdown styling.

Choose the Capri if: you want something different from the familiar Fender-style formula.

Choose the Mustang if: traditional Fender design and the Mustang heritage are your priorities.

Ashdown Capri vs Höfner Violin Bass

Both instruments appeal to players who enjoy vintage-influenced short-scale basses, but their personalities are very different.

The Höfner design is strongly associated with lightweight hollow or semi-hollow construction and a particularly distinctive vintage response.

The Capri feels closer to a conventional solid-body electric bass.

Choose the Capri if: you want a short-scale instrument that still feels familiar to players coming from mainstream electric basses.

Ashdown Capri vs Full-Scale 34-Inch Bass

A conventional 34-inch bass generally provides higher string tension and a firmer playing feel.

The Capri prioritises comfort, compact dimensions and the characteristic response of a 30-inch instrument.

Neither approach is inherently better.

Players looking for maximum familiarity with traditional Precision and Jazz-style basses may prefer 34 inches, while musicians prioritising comfort and easy fret access may find the Capri much more inviting.

Is a Short-Scale Bass Only for Beginners?

Definitely not.

Although shorter basses can be excellent learning instruments, scale length is a playing and tonal preference, not an indication of ability.

Professional musicians have used short-scale basses for decades because their softer feel and distinctive response can produce sounds that are difficult to achieve in exactly the same way with a full-scale instrument.

The Ashdown Capri therefore makes just as much sense as a specialised second bass for an experienced musician as it does for somebody buying their first bass.

Real-World Uses

The Capri's combination of short scale, passive electronics and Alnico pickup makes it particularly well suited to situations where you want a straightforward bass sound without unnecessary complication.

It is a strong option for:

• Indie and alternative music
• Classic rock
• Pop
• Blues
• Soul
• Singer-songwriter arrangements
• Home recording
• Rehearsals
• General practice
• Players moving between guitar and bass

Its compact dimensions also make it convenient in smaller home studios and practice spaces.

Compatibility and Recommended Pairings

The Ashdown Capri uses standard passive bass electronics and can be connected directly to conventional bass amplification and recording equipment.

It pairs particularly well with:

Bass Amplifiers

For home practice, consider a compact bass combo that provides a dedicated bass speaker and useful EQ controls.

For rehearsal and live use, pair the Capri with an appropriately powered bass amplifier and cabinet setup.

Tuners

A pedal tuner or clip-on tuner makes a useful everyday addition for practice, rehearsals and gigs.

Bass Effects

The Capri can be used with standard bass effects including:

• Compressors
• Overdrive and distortion
• Chorus
• Octave pedals
• Envelope filters
• Preamp and DI pedals

Recording Interfaces

Its passive output can be connected to the instrument input of a suitable audio interface for home or professional recording.

Looking for advice on choosing the right short-scale bass, bass amplifier, effects pedals or recording setup? Our experienced team of musicians can help by phone, online or in-store.

Technical Specifications

Specification	Ashdown Roasted Capri
Product Type	Short-scale electric bass
Series	Ashdown Roasted Series
Model	Capri
Model Code	AC-CAPRI-GLOSSBLACK
Finish	Gloss Black
Scale Length	30" / 762mm
Number of Frets	19
Neck Material	Roasted Maple
Fingerboard Material	Roasted Maple
Fingerboard Inlays	Black Dot, 6mm
Headstock	Matching Gloss Black
Pickup Type	Chrome-covered Alnico soapbar
Electronics	Passive
Machine Heads	Vintage-style chrome
Hardware Finish	Chrome
Strings	4-string bass

Fair Deal Music Verdict

★★★★★ 5/5

The Ashdown Capri is an excellent choice for anyone looking for a genuinely distinctive short-scale bass without moving into specialist or expensive territory.

Its biggest attraction is the 30-inch scale, which provides a comfortable playing experience while retaining the feel and authority expected from a proper electric bass. The roasted maple neck and fingerboard are particularly appealing at this level, while the passive Alnico pickup keeps the instrument simple and musical.

We particularly recommend the Capri to guitarists moving onto bass, beginners who find a 34-inch instrument cumbersome, recording musicians and established bassists looking for a characterful short-scale alternative.

For the money, it offers a refreshing combination of playability, styling and useful specification.

Why Buy From Fair Deal Music?

Choosing Fair Deal Music means buying from a passionate team of musicians who genuinely understand the products we sell. Whether you're purchasing your first instrument, upgrading your current setup or searching for something special, we're here to help you make the right choice with friendly advice and expert support.

When you shop with Fair Deal Music, you can buy with confidence thanks to:

• Expert advice from knowledgeable musicians
• Carefully checked new, used, pre-owned and ex-display equipment
• Competitive prices on leading music brands
• Secure UK-wide delivery
• Flexible finance options available (subject to status)
• Friendly support before and after your purchase
• A trusted independent UK music retailer with decades of experience

Trade In. Trade Up. Save More.

Thinking about upgrading? Your next piece of gear could cost less than you think.

We're always happy to consider part exchanges and trade-ins on a wide range of musical instruments and equipment. Whether you're looking to upgrade your guitar, keyboard, amplifier, drum kit or studio gear, your existing equipment could help reduce the cost of your next purchase.

Simply get in touch with our team for a no-obligation valuation, and we'll be happy to discuss the options available.

It's an easy way to unlock the value of the gear you no longer use while making your next instrument even more affordable.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Ashdown Capri a short-scale bass?

Yes. The Capri uses a 30-inch scale length, compared with the approximately 34-inch scale used by many traditional electric basses.

Is a 30-inch bass easier to play?

It can be. The shorter scale reduces the distance between frets and the overall reach required by the fretting hand. This makes short-scale basses particularly comfortable for players with smaller hands, younger musicians and guitarists learning bass.

Experienced players may also simply prefer the feel.

Is the Ashdown Capri suitable for beginners?

Yes. Its compact dimensions, straightforward passive electronics and comfortable fret spacing make it an excellent first bass.

It also has enough character to remain useful as a player develops rather than simply being a beginner instrument.

Can experienced bass players use the Capri?

Absolutely. Short-scale basses have their own response and playing feel and are regularly chosen by experienced players for recording and live performance.

The Capri makes a useful alternative to a conventional 34-inch bass.

What type of music suits the Ashdown Capri?

Its warm short-scale response and passive Alnico pickup make it particularly suitable for rock, indie, pop, soul, blues and alternative styles.

It can also work very effectively as a studio bass where a rounded low-end foundation is required.

Can I use normal bass pedals with the Capri?

Yes. Standard bass effects pedals can be used with the Capri in exactly the same way as with other passive electric basses.

Compression, overdrive, octave, chorus and preamp pedals are all useful options.

Do I need a dedicated bass amplifier?

For normal amplified playing, we recommend using a dedicated bass amplifier or another system specifically capable of safely reproducing bass frequencies.

A bass amp will provide a more appropriate speaker system and EQ range than a standard guitar amplifier.

Should I choose a short-scale or full-scale bass?

Choose a short-scale bass if comfort, easy fret access and a softer playing feel appeal to you.

Choose a traditional 34-inch bass if you prefer firmer string tension and the feel associated with standard Precision, Jazz and modern full-scale bass designs.

Neither is the correct choice for everyone, so trying both is worthwhile whenever possible.

Ashdown Capri Gloss Black – Fair Deal Music Recommendation

If you've been considering a short-scale bass but want something with more personality than a conventional entry-level design, the Ashdown Roasted Capri Gloss Black deserves serious consideration.

The comfortable 30-inch scale, roasted maple neck and fingerboard, passive Alnico pickup and distinctive retro-inspired styling make it equally appealing as a first bass, a guitarist's crossover instrument or an additional studio bass for an experienced player.

Order securely from Fair Deal Music for fast UK delivery, or speak to our knowledgeable team for friendly advice before you buy.