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I know the mention of Mr Chapman on here normally gets met with mixed opinions, but im hoping this doesn't become like that.
After looking at the new range of Chapman guitars announced recently, ive found myself REALLY gassing for an ML-1 (probably the 'Traditional' model).
From what ive seen, they've done a great job on the new range, and most of the new models look fantastic. I would obviously go and play a few before buying. So it will be a little trip down to sunny Guildford at the end of June/beginning of July.
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I've been planning a trip to Andertons for some time, the main thing stopping me being I'd probably buy a guitar and should probably sell some first!
I'd like to try an ML-3, as a tele optimised for the slightly heavier side might be a golden bit of kit.
Have heard bad things though, some have commented the ML1 is heavy for a strat copy (which it is, lets face it) and that the new Pro pricing puts them right up with high-end Mexican Fender and lower end Gibson, their new Flying V costs somewhat more than a Gibson one!
I have a lot of time for the Andertons/Chapman team (Captain, Chappers, Matt, Rabea etc.) they all seem really capable motivated guys who want to make great guitars. Their use of Youtube not only has provided me with hours of free entertainment but is also superb promotion for both Andertons and Chapman. Full fair play points to all of them.
A big fan of the youtube channel myself, however the thing I dislike about chapman guitars is the fact they seem to make a song and dance about their guitars when in actual fact they are pretty much similar to other guitars in that price point. There really isn't anything unique about them. They are made in a factory by the same slaves who make the competitors cheaper guitars.
I'd say as tele-copies go, an ML-3 doesn't look like a lot of other tele-copies. That said as Chapman guitars are made in small numbers, you will be able to get the same "quality" guitar for less money - its guaranteed.
But, as you say an ML1 is essentially a strat, so the ML1 is competing with Mexican actual Fenders, and an ML2 is a Les Paul, so is competing with the Gibson Fadeds etc. which are DAMN good guitars for the money. It's a tough sell, which is one reason why I'm so interested in opinions on them.
Dont get me wrong Im not saying they are not great guitars..... but they are mass produced in the slave trade
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I mean that the factory will offer a better per instrument price on an order of 10,000 instruments than of say 500. Therefore although the Chapman hits the streets at a higher price, they are not inherently better made than their brethren made in larger runs.
Does anyone have any information on the factories used by Chapman? I'd suspect that none of the Chapman team would be happy if their guitars were made with slave labour. CHEAP far east labour as part of a complex global economy sure, but not slave labour.
The reality is our entire standard of living here in the UK depends almost totally on cheap far-east labour, but that does not inherently mean slaves or even workers struggling to live in their countries. Surely a supervisor level worker enjoys a reasonable standard of living in Indonesia (by their standards, very different part of the world) just like a supervisor-level person would expect in Britain?
I got mine as B stock for 550 and now they are 720 to buy brand new. Meant to come with gig bag but mine came with a solid Chapman case so can't grumble. It's just trying to find out if meets my needs as my strat pretty much.
They cater to a niche as well. Basically shred versions of the classic shapes (an oversimplification I know, but largely).
Some of those prices though, seriously ouch. Admittedly £399 for the basic ML3 isn't hideous at all, but it is comparable to a Squier Classic Vibe tele - can it really be better...?
I bought a used ML2 instead of a used PRS SE. My impressions are that it is as good as as the PRS SE (ebony fretboard actually better IMO, and anyway it was built in the same factory etc), and was actually quite a bit cheaper. Mine already had upgraded pups, so I cannot comment on the stock ones.