CHAPMAN GUITARS DIDN'T WORK FOR ME...(WHY I GAVE UP ON THE BRAND)

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.

[paulhendershott]

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...

[octb]

Back in the day we went and played a guitar before we bought. But I’m just an old man.

[seriouslywhatdoesitmatter]

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?

[MrWeezer]

I have an ML2 Pro--- I think it's awersome. Feels great, sounds great. I find myself playing it more than my other guitars.

[nigelsmith]

Guitar buyers these days have either too much choice, too much money or both.
A trend I've noticed over the past few years is that YT guitarists / reviewers are never in a purchase for the long haul. Every purchase is expected to be moved on in a month or two if not sooner.
Plastic and hang-tags always in place so that it can go straight back.

For better or worse, my guitars are in a "used" condition two months in and I'm fine with that.
I've been a player / owner of guitars since the 80s and I have always bought from a store so I know what I'm getting and if I take it home I'm keeping it (or traded on one occasion when something on the bucket list became available).

Literally none of the guitars I have were perfect off the hanger...Gibsons, Fenders, Charvel, whatever...they all needed an experienced guitar tech (someone with expensive tools) to bring them to their potential. But I knew what they could be and the shops I bought them from had them setup before I left the store.

Another thing is the nitpicking over cosmetic manufacturing flaws. I little bit of finish bleed onto binding or a few tool marks on the board...really, who cares? If you're going to actually play the thing those will be invisible in a year or two (and forgotten about in a few days).

A few comments have touched on depreciation...of a fucking guitar! Unless you're a vintage collector that needs to be so far down your list as to be irrelevant.

The above is not a critique of this channel - this video is well put together and very watchable - but you bought four Chapman guitars and found fault with them all. Everything from too heavy to wrong neck profile to insufficient arm cutaway to "residue" and then a baritone (which seemed an odd choice when you said you were after a modern S-type guitar) which was neck-heavy (who knew?). All were sent back.

Maybe buying from a store where you can try first might work better.

This will all sound like boomer-complaining to all you new guys who invented guitar playing last year but it's just a point of view (without a dedicated YT channel to spread it).

[seriouslywhatdoesitmatter]

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.

[TommyGunzzz]

This is fascinating. Seem like they came a long way. Bought an ML3 Pro Modern earlier this year in habanero Orange, and it's one of the best guitars I own and definitely my most played. It gets played over my Strandberg and PRS. Looks great and feels really comfortable, but definitely not light with some real neck dive, but I stand mostly and it's not a big deal. It came with locking tuners and strap locks already connected. Great video

[guitarsarebest]

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.

[Centipede_Solaire]

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

[chuggawuggah_cj]

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

[georgejetson]

I would never buy a guitar from a company that does not at least build a model themselves. Chapman, Solar...ect. Anybody can source out a manufacturer from Inda, Korea, China and slap their name on it. But only a few can actually build a guitar from scratch in house with their own equipment. That means alot to me when spending my hard earned money.

[lharmy]

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.

[bluematrix]

Honestly I do not understand why you were so obssed with 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

[harlandowens]

You should try the latest - Chapman ML1 Pro Modern.

[Releasethebats]

Your channel is extremely underrated. I can’t wait to see it blow up

[IamMedicine]

If you want to lose 50% on resale buy a Chapman. Will never buy one.

[B_Wolfen]

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.

[njdevil]

I've played the ML-3 Pro line from 2022 - 2024. I really liked them but never did buy one for the reason of funds needed towards other purchases.... Mesa Boogie amp, Gretsch Duo Jet, and 2 PRS (SE DGT Grissom & SE Silver Sky). However, I've tried the Chapman DPT "Danish Pete model" and love the tone and feel....3 of my friends are closing in on 6 months of each owning the DPT and they still rave about it so I will be grabbing one.

[danidcr]

I haven't tried any Chapman... but I don't like: the logo, headstock shape and that ♾inlay.

[MopsLife]

I got a V1 standard back in 2017 and it’s been my main guitar ever since, modded it and upgraded it to my tastes. Kinda like my first child, I very much click with it. Maybe I lucked out it and got a very good guitar out the factory? Who knows, it’s a shame people have so many issues with the guitars they got