CHAPMAN GUITARS DIDN'T WORK FOR ME...(WHY I GAVE UP ON THE BRAND)
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- Опубликовано: 22 май 2024
- Join me today on for another gear discussion, this time about Chapman guitars. As much as I had wanted to like these instruments, they just did not work out for various reasons.
I'm just gonna go ahead and post another comment. The Andertons channel (without which both Chapman the brand and Chapman the guy wouldn't be recognizable) is not like guitar youtubers who get gear one way or the other and review it for the love of gear. They are a marketing platform for the Andertons store that's supposed to drive sales. That was the original idea. Of course the channel became much more than that with all the success they've had, and that's great for them because it's a separate income source now, and all the internet fame they got certainly made a lot more stuff possible for them. Great marketing and management, they deserve all the praise for it. I don't have a problem with Andertons, I just wish more people realized that the channel is more a product advertisement platform than a guitar enthusiast channel. Nothing wrong with that, but the viewer should always keep it in mind.
On top of that, thanks to andertons we got to see the world's most mediocre guitarist reach international fame. (sorry, had to. Not sorry.)
And where else are you gonna see PRS talk about SCARF JOINTS ON A $5000 GUITAR IMPROVE THE TONE all in glorious 4K?
I never tried a Chapman, but I was entertained by the craziness a couple years back with KDH and others. He seemed like a bit of a tool, and I think he didn't react well to what was likely his first dose of online criticism. After seeing more of him over the past subsequent years I've softened my view of him and chalked it up to a super bad day and not knowing how to handle the firestorms with introspection once the controversy spiraled out of control against him. I have a lot of respect for anyone that tries to create something in the business world. It's super competitive and an immense amount of work and risk... I hope he turns it all around if he tries it again...
I haven't tried any Chapman... but I don't like: the logo, headstock shape and that ♾inlay.
Definitely glad I tried them, hope to see some improvements in the future!
Great info, man. I could really tell you were excited to like the Chapman brand. Rob and the Captain have done so much for the music world through the Anderton's store and channel, most people (excepting KDH) want to root for them. I would hope if they saw your video (as well as the forum discussions) they would see it as constructive criticism and continue to work toward improving quality and achieving the modern specs the younger generation wants. The idea of the types of guitars they want to sell is sound, all they need is for the execution to meet the level they envisioned and what customers would like to see and play.
Very well said! I definitely hope to see some improvements in the future. I know one key element with chapman guitars has always been their collaborative design where they would have polls on what specs people would prefer. Hopefully they can fine tune some things and make the right adjustments.
Didn't like mine. Sold it after a while. Not sure what it was, just didn't feel good.
Also want to say that every time I see one of your reviews, you've tried multiple guitars of the same brand and aren't just trying one and straight away talking about it. Really appreciate that even though it must make these kind of videos much harder to make.
Thx for sharing! Yeah man, same here. I really tried to like them but wasn't a good fit. I always try to give guitar brands a fair chance with different models before reaching a conclusion. This is a tough way to go about it but glad to share these experiences!
This channel is something I’ve waited on for awhile. Keep sharing your experience with these brands, especially some of the more expensive or harder to obtain guitars. At minimum it’s very interesting
Great to hear! I really enjoy sharing these experiences especially on the less common brands. Definitely more videos to come! Thx
youtuber guitar brands, man... To me the fact that they declined to provide review models to some of the best gear reviewers in the business (Henning Pauly for example) speaks volumes. They knew very well their indonesian line just wouldn't be able to get a good review from people who speak their mind regardless of getting paid. And then there's the whole controversy both with the guy and the UK custom shop... yeah, whatever, I can just get a Schecter if I needed a guitar in that price range.
All good points 👉 didn't know that about the reviewers... yes that Indonesian model was a disaster. I totally agree once again just grabbing a $500-$1000 schecter would be better overall.
you would be better off buying an ibanez GIO than taking a crap shoot with those chapmans. hell you can buy five GIO's for the price of a chapman and still have some money left over
To be fair Paul is notoriously hard to work with and has a very huge fee which doesn't equate to the value he brings
Back in the day we went and played a guitar before we bought. But I’m just an old man.
haha yep that makes sense! tough in this day and age with brick and mortar stores closing down though.
Your channel is extremely underrated. I can’t wait to see it blow up
Thanks man! Appreciate your support 🙏
I never had a Chapman but i was looking for a baritone and the new lagacy spec/money ratio looked rediculous. I bought it and beyond the gig bag being very low quality, the craftmasnship on it is superb (new indian factory). Very satisfied with it and one of the best guitars i have ever played at the 1100 euro range
I had that Rabea Baritone and it was indeed quite a neck diver! Other companies like Reverend would probably enlarge the body to balance better.
Yup! Definitely was a bummer. The guitar had potential but just missed the mark.
I love zzounds. They have taken back everything I have requested a return on. So simple.
Yeah totally! This was my first time buying from them. They took care of it no problem.
If you want to lose 50% on resale buy a Chapman. Will never buy one.
Buy second hand ;)
On the other hand, if you enjoy the second hand market, you can get a very high spec and well made guitar for a fraction of the cost. Significantly more than 50% off at times also
just don’t buy one at full price. Always on sale in the UK.
I bought two second hand and they are fantastic, both MIK. Q/A and specs outstanding
I don't know if youve ever owned a solar guitar before but if u have I would love to see a breakdown of that considering I just bought an A2.7 neon green cannibalismo+ like literally 2 days ago
Never tried one! I do like Ola's channel been following him for years. A little more pointy for my taste but I hope the brand is doing well
I tried a Chapman ML-3 (t style) could not get on with it, shitcanned it for a Gretch boxcar which I love!!!
Honestly I do not understand why you were so obssed with Chapman..... twice is enough...any sterling by MM will kill any Chapman, just find a model that is not a chunky neck that they tend to be more like that... but the quality is amazing
Yeah not really obsessed. Used to watch those channels way back in the day so I'd see reviews for chapman models. Always seemed interesting but still mid level guitars. I tried the first 2 models several years ago. It wasn't until a couple years later I tried the other 2. Sterling is ok. I have owned 2 American music mans they were great overall. I'm just not that into their narrower necks. Lot of them have too round of a radius and 22 frets. Not really into them. I've also had 2 SUBS and man they were awful. Sent them back due to poor QC. I mainly play Kiesel now just because I prefer the ergonomics and total freedom to customize how I want.
Had my eye on an ML3 pro in Burnt Orange for quite awhile. The reverse headstock and odd hardcase fitment, kept me at bay. After acquiring all the staple models for my collection, and a few other, more specialized guitars. I can't justify such an oddball spec'd model for any logical reason?
Guitars are tools to me. Beyond that, I'm just not into owning guitars that serve no practical purpose. I can swap a P90 into a guitar I already own, like my black Yamaha Revstar Element.
Yep, definitely saw potential in these chapman's, but overall the brand just was a miss. Maybe we'll see some improvements in the future.
First and only Chapman I ever played was a used cap10 model. Picked up and strummed one not. The neck was a baseball bat and I set it right back down
Yup! Such a disappointment unfortunately
i have the series 2 and it plays and feels great. neck is a modern C
4 guitars ,one got quality control issue ,thats Chapman fault ,but the guitars model name "modern" just not that whats you think the "modern" means, but you can check the spec right..? or the spec not very accurate or misleading ? like neck profile is way different than the spec listed , looks didnt work for you mainly the neck too chunky , if the guitar spec neck profile way off , then Chapman fault totally understand , other wise you cant blame them, just taste thing, some like it some dont, no right or wrong ,nothing they can do to improve, guitar neck profile kind of tricky, better try it in person, even spec said same C shape, can be slightly different on every brand ,sorry for my poor english.
Thanks for checking it out, I appreciate your input. Yes there were definitely some design aspects that in my view did not align with what a "modern" guitar should be (example the super chunky neck shape)
ML-1 (first guitar)- outrageously heavy (that's poor selection of body woods on the manufacturers part)
ML-1 Pro Modern (second guitar) - defective peeling neck finish, lacking modern ergonomics
ML-1 Standard Modern (third guitar) - tons of defects (see the part of the video where I emailed zzounds customer service)
ML-3 BEA (fourth guitar) - better quality from world music korea, but again not very good choice of woods as the design need to be mindful of balance especially with extended range baritones
Similar experience with my Chapman ML3 Pro Traditional (the semi-hallow with P90s). It was built fine, as it came from WMI Korea, but the play and feel was just off. It had terrible neck dive, and the neck was not comfortable at all. As it was my first P90s, I can't say much about the sound. It didn't stay long with me. I get that not every guitar will gel with a player, but I couldn't believe some had designed a guitar that was just not a joy to play.
Yep, nothing about any of the 4 chapman's I had felt right. The QC issues mentioned were quite unacceptable. There's something special when you pick up a guitar and everything just "clicks". I get this feeling every time I pickup my OD or Kiesel. I know everyone is different and I am not entirely committed to one particular brand but I have reached a point where I know what I like, and what I don't lol Thanks for watching
Several years ago I tried a Chapman Ghost Fret and… it was okay. It wasn’t super but it wasn’t awful. However, if you’re looking for more of a modern performance / shred guitar I would point you towards looking at a used Carvin. Very high quality, extremely well made, roughly comparable to some older US made Hamers or US made Core Model PRS. Save up a little cash and I think you will be much happier.
Well said, yeah I actually mainly play kiesels nowadays lol you'll see several unboxings on this channel 😉
I had a Chapman Hot Rod, and it was good...but it was extremely heavy (the Floyd Rose obviously contributed to the weight). I liked the way it sounded, and I did like the neck, but I ended up selling it.
Yeah cool guitar for sure, but that early run especially was just ridiculously heavy.
I got one of the blue Ghost Fret Pros on reverb for a deent deal like 5 years ago. I love explorer style guitars. This one looks great, plays and sounds great; but its got a good amount of neck-dive which is odd for this style of guitar so unfortunately it stays in its case most of the time.
I really was excited when those Ghost frets came out! Very cool looking guitars indeed. I can definitely see lacking in the balance department though.
great insight
Thx for watching
Chapmans have very thick necks even their modern ones I had an ML3 and I couldn't really use it because of the neck profile, which gave me cramps all the time. 😑
Agreed! They really should revise that "modern" neck profile. Hope to see some improvements in the future.
There are tons of modern guitars with that hard edge, that are modern guitars. Anybody try the KM7 1 when it came out by schecter? Some people loved it, my forearms can't even play it for 5 minutes. Awesome guitar though in every other respect.
also the ibanez az's have chunky necks. Modern doesnt' equate to thin. The wizard came out before i was born. No neck is really slimmer than that one. Again came out before I was born.
Sounds like you need an ibanez RG guitar. Or charvel so cal, or jackson soloist type. Maybe a japanese or usa custom shop version of those.
I agree way too many guitars with that sharp, hard edge. Just simply not comfortable.
Everyone has their own requirements, I find that my Chapman's neck is too thin? I still love it, and it's fatter than my Ibanez, but I like fat necks.
Yeah overall quality was disappointing. I just felt like their "modern" specs did not align with what I would expect from a modern design.
Poor resale value means a great value on the used market (if it's a good guitar)
Totally agree 👍
the MIK stuff is probably the one you want to look out for