What's the best Humbucker Tele?| Charvel vs. Chapman | Rob Chapman | Thomann
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- Опубликовано: 15 окт 2024
- Rob Chapman himself gives the two modern "T-Style" guitars a spin: Charvel Pro-Mod San Dimas or Chapman ML-3 Modern? What would you choose? They do look pretty similar on paper, but which one sounds and feels better?
Guitars in the video: tho.mn/sjghu
We use Triad-Orbit stands for our videos exclusively: tho.mn/triad
Interesting bits and pieces:
0:46 Introduction
0:56 Charvel Pro-Mod San Dimas | Talking Specs
3:29 Charvel Pro-Mod San Dimas | Playing
4:55 Chapman ML3 Modern | Talking Specs
6:34 Chapman ML3 Modern | Playing
8:36 Conclusion
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Love your stuff but gotta go with Charvel.
I'd have to go with the Charvel. For looks, sound and components.
I am having a hard time deciding, You should send me both and I will get right back to you.
I've own this exact model of charvel and it's my favorite guitar that I've ever owned. I've even owned brands such as mayones, suhr, ibanez, jackson, G&L, and even a Charvel DK24. Not that the build quality was better or worse than any of those but the guitar just has an amazing neck and a wonderful, crisp note quality. I played it at a guitar shop while I was visiting my hometown and I fell in love with it. I left without it and for weeks I dreamt of it. I had another trip planned to go back about 6 weeks later and i told myself that if that guitar is still there, I'm buying it; and I did; and I'm glad. Between my Charvel San Dimas Type 2 and my G&L Legacy USA, I don't need any other guitars (although I have other guitars I use for drop tunings)
The pickup selector is amazing:
1st position gets a Gibson-like tone
2nd position gets a tele-like tone
3rd position... dont use much
4th and 5th positions are very strat-like but not quite as stratty as my G&L
He "forgot" to mention that the Charvel has graphite rods in the neck to help with stability. Also that Chapman doesn't have locking tuners. You can get the Charvel with a Floyd and a quilted maple veneer, if you choose. BTW, those Chapman versions are made in Indonesia, not Korea. A more fitting comparison should have been the ML1 vs the Fender FMT.
The Charvel has tele-tone. The chapman doesn’t have those warm and fat Upper-mids. Further, i like the no-nonsens look of the Charvel. And Charvel necks are so awesome!
Charvel makes some of the best guitars in the world as far as I’m concerned , hard to compete with. My Charvel is ridiculously comfortable.
Mine too. Whenever I switch from my Charvel to one or my other guitars, I feel like I just I'm trying to play Arnie's 50 Cal. from Predator !
And now Charvel has just made an even better T style guitar, with 24 frets. (Under £1000)
Charvel!
Sounds better (maybe because of the Duncans)
Music Man Style Neck adjustment
And I bet it feels better because=Charvel Necks!
My charvel model 3 still has the best neck I’ve ever played in my life
Charvel All The Way !!!
Charvel also has the same model w/maple veneer top, w/"Shredder's cut", etc. They both sound great but I love Charvel neck/fingerboards.
I own an "S" style Charvel Pro Mod and I love it. It feels unbelievable good in my hands. I've owned a Chapman (Ghost Fret, one of the Korean models when there were only Korean models), and while I thought it was a solidly built guitar, I definitely prefer the Charvel.
Well I gotta go with the Charvel.
The neck and body would sell for at least 180-200 EUR each
The pickups are around 90 EUR each new
The OEM branded locking tuners would be 30-40 EUR
That makes this guitar a ~600 EUR parts guitar made in Mexico. That's a fantastic value right there.
I have a korean Chapman ML1 and it's great but resell value always is a huge topic for me.
@Mark Seymour not really. I collect guitars and resell value is something I consider all the time. A good deal always includes thinking about what the parts might be worth.
@Mark Seymour sure. But if you have a number of guitars you tend to see them as an investment as well. Chappers knows this, he has moved gear as well.
@Mark Seymour nice! Unfortunately upgraded pickups often do not reflect any significant price increase on the used market, that's why I tend to part things out instead.
Agreed, you could swap pickups and the JB/59 will always sell fast until the end of time if you want to sell them.
Charvel bro. I just got mine,and I love it.🤘🎸🎼🎶🎶🎶🎶
oH mY gOd that ml3 is gorgeous
Edit: I just wanted to say that I've owned a ml3 for almost 2 years now and it is an amazing guitar for the price, I'm really happy with it, totally worth it
I own the Charvel and love it. I only really have 2 complaints. #1 is that the unfinished maple fretboard gets very dirty very quickly. I wish it was oiled/lacquered or a darker species of wood. And #2 the guitar is a little heavier than I would like. Not Les Paul heavy by any means but not as light as I prefer.
Well I now own 2 Chapman's so I'm going to be biased and say I still prefer the CHAPMAN and it looks better. I believe that looks are important as well because even if a guitar sounds great if you hate the way it looks you won't pick it up and play it. Guitars are a little bit like cars in that way.
Having tried both of these specific models, and having owned other models from each brand, I have to say that I really like both of these instruments, and appreciate what each brand brings to the stage.
The ML-3 Modern has more modern-metal-centric tones, whereas the Pro-Mod San Dimas has a tone more suitable for hard-rock and classic metal. Both sound amazing, but each has its own strengths. I prefer the tone of the Charvel in this case specifically for the type of music that I play; however, I can absolutely see using the Chapman if I ever expand into modern metal. Yes, the amp and pedals can make a difference, making each of these guitars more than fine for any style, but it's so much easier if you're starting on the right foot.
The ML-3 Modern has a really nice heel-joint, but I rarely (if ever) play up on the dusty end. I prefer the set-neck heel of the Chapman Ghost Fret, which is incredibly smooth and provides such amazing access, even though a set-neck T-type might sound a bit off-putting to some. I also like the ML-3 Modern's size, shape, and weight. The tummy cut is nice, and the body feels nice. The veneer looks decent, although I do prefer a more natural look on the T-style instruments.
The Pro-Mod San Dimas is odd. While I like natural woods, stained and/or oiled, for this type of instrument, the plain ash body looks unfinished. It feels nice, and is carved well in just the right spots, but it looks in dire need of a decent wood stain at the very least.
The neck of the Chapman just feels better to me. The last ML-3 Modern I tried had a nicely-rolled fingerboard, well-dressed frets, a nice radius, and a pretty great neck carve. It's also one of the things I love about my Ghost Fret. The Charvel neck is also quite nice, but it doesn't fit my hand the same. It's a personal preference. I understand it's a more expensive unit, but that really means very little to me.
The Charvel's controls are in a nicer position. I feel the Chapman's controls are too close to the pickup, while the knobs are spread too far apart. I like the fact that the Charvel's switch and volume knob are in the same "sweep", even though the switch is in an odd position compared to what I'd expect. Between the two, the Pro-Mod San Dimas has a layout that would suit me better on the stage.
As for the hardware, I see very little difference. Both my Charvel and my Chapman (different models than these) use similar hardware to these instruments, and there's not that much to say about either one. The tuners hold tune well enough, the nuts are well cut, the frets seem to last, the bridges do their job, the saddles are comfortable, the pots don't seem scratchy or jumpy, and the switches aren't noisy. Neither one holds the edge here.
The price difference, to me, doesn't seem worth it. Locally, a ML-3 Modern costs about $430, while a Pro-Mod San Dimas Style 2 (in Ash) costs over twice as much at $870. If I wanted a hard-rock/classic-metal variant of the Chapman, I could either get a different body for the same price (ML-2, for example, which as more suitable pickups) or get this one and swap the pickups with a JB/59 set for about $150, or another suitable set for even less. Since I already have a Pearly Gates set, waiting for an instrument, that really wouldn't be a problem.
The Charvel, costing twice as much as the Chapman, hasn't distanced itself as an instrument when it comes to what you get for the money. Don't get me wrong: I love my Charvel, but it's not twice the guitar that my Chapman is - not even close. In fact, they're damn near the same instrument (quality-wise), with the Charvel getting the nod for control layout and pickups, while the Chapman gets the nod for feel (especially the neck). I just don't see the value of spending twice as much for so little.
Agreed, for twice the price almost, the Chapman is almost a no brainer, especially of you play metal like myself. The extra 2 frets are helpful for metal also. And in all honesty I prefer the finish of the Chapman, it just has the IT factor imo. Played both, owned neither, placing an order tomorrow for the Ember version of the ML3, gonna sit beautifully next to my classic fender tele and solar TBR a2.6.... yummy lol.
Also the tone for metal from the research I have done and after playing both I naturally gravitated towards the Chapman for over an hour in the shop with a couple different pedals, before I realised where the time had gone. I absolutely loved it. And the finish for the price blows me away. I've had to send back 3 different models priced £100 more than the Chapman from LTD and Schecrer and not only did all 3 have so many QC problems (wonky pickup housing, bad finishing and scuffs, scraped off binding where the body meets the neck, neck bolted on wonky on the next 3 options available and scuffed up binding and finishing on all the possible replacements, as well as wonky pickup casing on all the LTDs) So after visiting my local shop yesterday in anticipation of this happening and seeing the quality on every single Chapman (every model was pristine) I was blown away and instantly changed my choice to the Ember version and will have it on it's way to me for Thursday 😊. I'm actually happy I have had this bad experience, because I've ended up with a guitar I prefer way more too.
Anyway that's my life story 🤣🤣
I own a Charvel…..this very guitar....and it's the best guitar I've ever purchased. I played both at a local riff city and the charvel is just better to play and it sound better....but the look of the chapman is badass.
1:08 you can almost hear lee crying :O
It's just forward thinking. After Brexit Great Britain isn't a part of Europe anymore ;)
@@LeanderCl Hail, Brexitainia!
I doubt Andertons sells a lot in Europe outside UK. I think they sell more in the US.
Metallix Ha ha ha...
That Charvel sounds better but nothing to be ashamed of. It's parts are significantly more expensive when compared to the SE asian made chapman. Haven't found a Chapman I like yet though.
Charvel San dimas style 2 for sure. It did sound better both clean and overdriven. The coil split is a nice feature as well. I will say I do like the modern features such as the jack at the back, graphite reinforcement, and locking tuners. I've seen that ash one in a Long and mcquade, and the finish is an excellent matte. However, I do hope Charvel makes a dk 24 2pt in a tele shape. It would definitely stand up to a Suhr imo. 👍
Walked into this one Rob. Charvel is legendary, Evh, Vais Green Meanie....Charvel for me
In the past Rob has modified his personal Chapman guitars with Seymore Duncans. I gotta have the Charvel. In fact I do have this exact model and it is awesome.
Honestly, I think the Chapman model sounded better to my ears, and I thought it looked sexier. Should be enough to declare a winner, but I loooooove the 2 piece (grain looks nicely matched too) ash body, and maple neck. I do not like veneers especially when a company chooses to go with exposed maple binding under a veneer top and you see plain brown blech wood! Ultimately, I wish Chapman would charge a few extra hundred $$$ (even though the wood wouldn’t cost that much), and offer a nice 1/4” figured maple top.
I prefer the look of the charvel, but the sound and construction of the chapman. If the chapman was ash and stained in that shade of red, and had a maple fretboard, it would be perfection!
Haha, there is Pro version which is red, but is mahagony with ebony fingerbord. Then there is black or blue wich is ash with maple board, but comes with single coils ...
stanislavmigra yes indeed!
Thing with the Charvel is... the Neck is just AMAZING!!!!... and to me the Neck is 90% or more of what makes a guitar enjoyable to play. Pickups anyone can replace for the flavour of the month, Neck nope.
Even if the price is higher, most Charvel's punch above their weight. Definitely the Charvel. Real Duncan pickups, lightning fast neck.
Both sound good, I'd go with the Charvel on looks alone. No bad choices here though.
Tried the Chapman, I wanted to love it but I felt the neck dropped when sitting down, just slightly unbalanced
Fender tele with seymors
Fender Telecaster Custom FMT HH with Seymour Duncan Pickups. It has a flame maple top with nice binding.
was watching, went to check what plugins i had on my studio one/new mac, decided to stop paying and go with garageband for free and after many months of trialing all daws during this i won't be changing.
Rob, why did you shoot Standard against Charvel? Pro range is closer price ?
Tried both at local music store, Chapman is way nicer and more fun to play, Charvel sounds better ... So I will buy Chapmna and invest the rest of the money for another pickups, as Im mostly not fan of ceramics ... (There are good Ceramcis like War Pigs or Nazgul) ...
Luv in the red gloss on your Chapman!
The Chapman is ~$500, The Charvel ~$900. They're pretty close, but the Charvel is better IMO. However, spend ~$200 on locking tuners and JB/59 combo to install in the Chapman and it wins (again IMO) and would still be $200 less outlay. Yes, I've played both.
Eamon Wyse what about the feel of the neck ? Did you feel one was nicer ? Easier to play ?
seb2123 I like both. I have a bunch of different necks on my guitars. I would say that I like the neck on the Charvel a little more, but the Chapman is great as well.
Eamon Wyse thanks man ! 👍
i prefer the heel joint on the chap man, but sounding, i like both, the chapman red seems to have more bite n narly..
Charvel for me.
I prefer both the look and the tone of the Chapman
I've just realised who Rob looks like, it's Elvis Costello!
I have seen Rob watching the detectives
//Andy
Charvel pro-mod so-cal style 2 24 hh looks like it took a couple of Dave's designs? Reversed Tele headstock. Also where the neck bolts on, it looks more similar to Dave's guitar than the Charvel he's comparing.
Unfortunately, no Shop near me has either of those guitars, but based on features it's a tie, i like the optics and the heel on the chapman, but the pickups and locking tuners on the charvel are also very nice to come stock. Probably still would take the chapman because locking tuners arent that expensive and maybe i like the pickups, and if not theres still budget left to throw in some other pickups
I've owned both...i now have the ML3 V2....I didn't have the Charvel for very long before i got rid of it because i didn't think it played very well and it sounded.....ok. The ML3 , in my opinion, sounds better than a few of the guitars i have with JBs in them and the Charvel i used to have. And for some reason...it feels smoother and more solid! Rob...you should make the newly revised V2 pick-ups available for purchase on their own...I'd buy them!! Good job..they sound great as does the ML3 Modern Standard V2!!
Charvel has a compound radius fretboard. 12-16. That's why, for me, it plays al lot nicer.
For me it comes down to the looks. If the Chapman wasn’t glossy and didn’t have the black headstock I’d like it a million times more.
I got that Chapman has sharp fret edges . Only thing that I didn’t like
Of course Charvel is superior In all aspects, this versus has no reason to exist
I'll take the Charvel. I own a ML3 modern. (My veneer top is nicer than the ugly one in the video). The body is extremely heavy and the tone is very bright no matter what Duncan or Dimarzio pickups I've put into it... and yes it's wired correctly. I bought the ML3 used for about $300-ish usd in great condition. That is the only way I would own a Chapman... used. He's a great salesman, but Chapman guitars are very generic instruments. There is absolutely nothing special about them. Unless they come up with some appealing original design shapes, they will fall away like the many guitar companies of past only to end up in pawn shops.
Although the tonal differences of Indonesian guitars are very inconsistent because of lower quality woods and production build quality, my Charvel Joe Duplantier model is much better tonally than my ML3. The JD model has a razor thin "mahogany" (indo mahognany like wood) neck that is very playable. The Charvel is much better from clean to full blown metal.
Oh and the lil diddy about about tightening the tuning button screws on the ML3 to "lock 'em up" has used car saleman tactics written all over it. 🤣🤣🤣 Also, if you really want to sell your own brand of guitars, maybe oil the fretboard up on that "shop demo version" before doing a comparison with a much better quality instrument. Just sayin'.
What best is relative
With something similar, find a thing that suit ur hand first then listen to it plugged in.
i have to be honest, i've got a thing for the Charvel Tele but the Chapman just seems a better guitar all round to me. Well done Rob. Big up the Wilts Massive!!!
Absolutely agree, pickups are so good I wouldn't even replace them. I'd usually go with dimarzio evos but, I'd leave those Chapman ones in.
The stock Chapman pickups are garbage, that was the main thing that turned me off (along with bad QC), I don’t think the pickups in the Chapman Rob is playing are the stock pickups, but I could be wrong.
"The stock Chapman pickups are garbage" ???????? i think you meant, they weren't quite right for you.
ben harwood nope I mean they’re very muddy and crap out on the low end. They’re just not good pickups, even for what they’re made for. I’m not even picky when it comes to pickups or electronics in general and can find a useful tone with just about anything, and I Really wanted to like Chapman in the beginning but I’ve yet to play one that impresses me.. youd be better off going with just about anything else at that price point.
i guess 'one man's rubbish is another's treasure'
i love charvel guys!
Maybe the best HH Telecaster is from Fender? Custom Telecaster FMT HH. I own a red one made in Indonesia.
The charvel jack socket is a cool thing why that wasn't mentioned I do not know
So rob works for thomann now?
O.O 1:10 what about Anderton’s?!
both
I would get Chapman and put some Duncans in it probably, if i felt it needs it.
This test might lack a bit of objectivity... I'd go with Charvel, got a love story with them.
The ML3.1 is better looking, cheaper and as good as the Charvel, (which I can't remember existing before Chapman made the similar looking ML3 original).
My vote is for the ML3.1.
It is cheaper as the brand is worth less and the quality is lower (give it a try... they feel cheap unlike their first runs when they used to be built at the same factory as PRS SEs). And soundwise, SDs are way better than their in-house pickups.
Pushing his guitar always -- saying they are even yet his guitar costs much less ---anyway it was still a good video to watch - thanks
The MIM Charvel's are too expensive now, the MIJ Charvel's was from 599€ incl. case.
Charvel by far. I wouldn't buy a Chapman guitar.
Thomann the preferred musical supplier to the Moon!
And 3753 cruithne ( summer home)
Once you go Jackson you never go.....Wait that’s a char Charvel 😂🤘🏽
I feel like the ML3 Pro would’ve made for a more fair fight
call it the chaptell, pronounced like the charvel, shh , sound, yours is very pretty, but i like a maple board, i gotta say, i don't get how charvel let that neck joint go without a little bit more time on the cnc? it's not like them , they're into details like that, maybe budget? who knows, but the finish on the chaptell is stunning, and as far as sound, well ,,,that's personal taste
Chapman ML3 - sounds warmer and looks better with a better finished heel - can't believe the Charvel is finished like that on the back neck pocket...
I would rather keep my money though and put it to better use on other gear as I don't need either of these...
must be hard reviewing your own product! I wouldn't mind either one to be honest. I think the chapman looks nicer though.
So Chapman guitars copies a Charvel and then compares it with each other. The days of Chapman business is numbered.
Why? Just why get Rob to do this video at all? I know he prides himself on being objective and non-biased, but that's irrelevant, videos like this are always going to come across as disingenuous.
Round 🆚 sharp, Chapman 🆚 Charvel. I have to say, charvel went raw with this one. Like a fishermen 🤣
So rob is not with andertons no more?
Dot2227 Bennett he goes where the paycheque is. He still gets paid by Andertons, but he’s never been on staff there.
@@kiltymacbagpipe ooo ok
I shoot videos with Lee every month
That ML3 is a poor example of quality control, around 0:38 you can see the uneven clearcoat over the body of the guitar :(
The ML3 have more open sound it's like HD sounding compared to the Charvel.
I personally think telecasters are rubbish guitars - boxy and ugly in appearance, but the 24 fret Chapman is a classy machine. This is a Super Tele, the only things I would change is the colour - do a black to violet burst and instead of the bridge that is fitted do a tune-o'matic with tail piece, keep the single volume and tone.
So for me is the Chapman.
I REALLY hope Kris doesn't read this...
//Andy
Fender Teles are boxy and clunky but the charvel is less boxy than the Chapman XD. It's one of the more ergonomic guitars I've played and it plays like butter.
Chapman ML-3. No Question. You asked for a name suggestion: Tangent. Cheers! \m/
Hands down the Chapman sounds best to my ears, congrats rob
Like them both, don't think the Charvel sounds 400 dollars better 🤔
Chapman all the way! Think those Chapman pickups sound 'sweeter' in the upper mids and chunkier in the lows. Much more dynamic sounding than the Charvel.
The neck heel of the charvel is a real turn off..soundwise it's awesome. I just don't like the black headstock on the Chapman.. Otherwise the Chapman sounds and looks pretty good..
He exaggerated the heel, it's quite comfortable and who cares how it looks, no one would see it.
I think chapman guitars wont be around too much longer...i frequent offerup/craigslist for guitars like a damn junkee and let me tell you...there are tons of brand new chapmans everyone wants to specifically trade. I actually got one that i intended to seel b4 i got it.(got it in a trade)i got a ghost fret pro. the primordial pickups were SHIT. If i didn't see the SS frets in the specs i wouldn't know. The SS frets on my ibanez AZ are butter! It had no character. Seemed very hard to bond with. Everyone says they want to trade "cuz it just doesny suit there style" or "its just not what they wanted" cant begin to recall how many adds like that iv seen
What exactly makes these two a "Tele"? Except for the body shape? Exactly nothing right?
So this is a comparison of two guitars that randomly hapen to have a Tele body shape.
1:08 I dont think the folks at Andertons will be very happy with that... :(
Friedman 😋
Funny how the unique and very practical output jack placement is overlooked while he yammers on about the way the heal joint is designed. "I'm not biased", ya-huh. BTW, the reverse headstock & ceramic pickups are a big turnoff in my book. Just sayin' . . .
The charvel is nice but I would rather pitch 400 euros into a Chapman then 800 into the charvel
The chapman pickups are too much high and high mids freq in my opinion.
I vouch for your hands.
Yeah, the Chapman is better. I would much rather spend money on the Chapman. I love the tones from it much better than the Charvel.
Rob saying he is not bias is as legit as Trump saying he doesn’t hate Mexicans. You don’t need this video to know that Charvel is a level above Chapman guitars .
I'd get the Chapman, upgrade the tuners to schaller locking tuners and then spend the spare £240 on some decent pedals. Sorted.
And some decent pickups... And yoy spent the same as if you get a great stock Charvel
Charvel , I own a Chapman Cap10 and love it . However these new models look cheap and nasty to me with all the shiny veneers not as fan of the new aesthetic at all . Sorry Rob. The Charvel sonds considerably better than the Chapman too. 😕😕
Can you please talk about riff city Joe really helped you out
He won’t while Thomann is paying him. He who pays the piper calls the tune.
Scharrrwellll all the way.....
The Charvel all the way.
The best? Fender of course
Charvel all the way
I briefly had a ML3, it was a turd. Don't like veneers, couldn't hold tune and pups were dreadful. I've got a new Charvel type 2, with a better neck joint than the one in this video, which is awesome
Oh, this won't be biased...🙄
chapman all the way
Call it, I saved a lot of money by not buying a fender.
22 frets wins
Charvel.
the bias in this video is embarrassing