Epiphone Announces Newport and El Capitan Basses
Epiphone is launching two new bass offerings for 2023 with the Newport Bass and the El Capitan J-200 Studio Bass. Both take their cues from vintage instruments; the Newport was first introduced in 1961, while the El Capitan takes its cues from the SJ-200 flattop acoustic.
The company says the revamped Newport pays tribute to the original with modern refinements. It has a short 30.5-inch scale with a medium C neck profile and deep body cutaways to reach the highest frets. Epiphone fits it with a Bass Sidewinder pickup in the neck position for depth and body with a TB PRO in the bridge position to bring out its brightness. A blend control lets you mix the timbres.
Finally, it comes in four old-school cool colors: Classic Cherry, California Coral, Sunset Yellow, and Pacific Blue.
The El Capitan J-200 Studio Bass is an acoustic/electric bass fitted with a Fishman Sonitone under-saddle pickup and Sonicore preamp. It’s built with a solid Sitka spruce top, mahogany back and sides, and a mahogany neck. The Indian Laurel fretboard holds 20 frets that are marked with pearloid crown inlays. Similar to the Newport, it also has a short 30.5-inch scale and a medium C neck profile. It comes in Aged Vintage Sunburst, and Aged Vintage Natural finishes.
































The Epiphone Newport Bass and El Capitan J-200 are available now at prices of $379 and $699.
Epiphone Newport Bass Specs:
Construction: | Set Neck |
Scale: | 30.5″ |
Body: | Mahogany |
Neck: | Mahogany |
Neck Profile: | Medium C |
Fingerboard: | Indian Laurel |
Frets: | 20 Medium Jumbo |
Nut Material: | PVC |
Inlays: | Pearloid Dot |
Pickups: | Bass Sidewinder, TB PRO |
Controls: | Master Volume, Blend Knob, Master Tone |
Bridge: | Historic Tune-O-Matic |
Tuners: | Die Cast |
Colors: | Classic Cherry, California Coral, Sunset Yellow, and Pacific Blue |
Epiphone El Capitan J-200 Acoustic/Electric Bass Specs:
Construction: | Dovetail; Glued In Neck |
Scale: | 30.5″ |
Body Back and Sides: | Layered Mahogany |
Top: | Solid Sitka Spruce |
Binding: | Figured Maple |
Neck: | Mahogany |
Neck Profile: | Medium C |
Fingerboard: | Indian Laurel |
Frets: | 20 Medium |
Nut Material: | Synthetic Bone |
Inlays: | Pearloid Crown |
Pickup: | Fishman Under-Saddle Sonicore |
Electronics: | Fishman Sonitone |
Righty only?