Chapman Guitars £3500 Guitar - How Good Is It?

[@robmarmaduke]

The people who want a chapman dont have 3.5k to spend, and the people who do dont want a chapman

[@jeffallen3382]

This!

[@keithmulcahy3417]

I’d rather a Suhr for that money

[@nedim_guitar]

Hey, if you want to build legacy, you have to start somewhere. We all look at what it says on the headstock, but a custom made guitar like this as just as good as guitars from any other manufacturer.

[@jeffallen3382]

@@nedim_guitar then you don't know the history of Rob Chapman being a scam artist then...

[@nedim_guitar]

@@jeffallen3382 Oh, I do. But I wouldn't go so far as to call him a scam artist. He made some wrong decisions, but that was a few years ago and he's definitely cleaned up his act. People deserve another chance. And if his company is making high quality instruments (which it is), then they are making high quality instruments. It's pretty simple.

[@JemMusic.]

I'm sure it's a good guitar because someone else made it not Chapman. Outsourced as usual. But with Chapman on the headstock it'll depreciate faster than a Maserati.

[@chapmanguitars]

Hi Paul, Dan here. Thanks for asking to check the guitar out, happy to have sent it over. Excellent playing and glad you like it. It's always interesting hearing (and reading) feedback, which we'll of course take on board. Thanks again.

[@24avenged24]

Can you tell us who's actually building the instruments for chapman? Why does Chapman not reference that fact that they are ghost built (like companies such as Badlands do) on their website? Who's winding pickups, are they UK made? The website is again lacking any specific info other than general "made in UK" statements, but the rest of the hardware is imported so it would make sense the pickups are too?

[@chapmanguitars]

@@24avenged24 Hi, The first run was completed at UKGB. Since they stopped operating we're now making our new orders at PJD. The first run of pickups was custom-made for us in the UK by our friends at Cream T, they're now also being made by PJD by their pickup specialist. We didn't put the manufacturer because we simply chose not to - referencing other brands can be a good thing or it could lead to some confusion so we decided to just focus on 'us' for this. However, we've listened to the feedback and in the next iteration of the Workshop Series, or our UK built guitars we'll include.

[@bekindalwaysx1g]

Loads of new guitar manufacturers out there now...all had to start somewhere and weather the market...looks and sounds great to me (obv with Paul playing it) Wishing the company every success!

[@Furtheronmusic]

I think I'd look at a Gordon Smith rather than that given the options they offer and a much lower hand built UK price point. Just my thoughts.

[@wildwayz]

My GS Graduate was built to the spec I wanted for £1700 - flame maple top (veneer with a maple cap), flame maple fretboard, stainless steel frets, gotoh hardware, switch craft / cts hardware and a custom moose inlay

[@faridh2999]

It looks a great guitar but I couldn’t drop £3500 on an unknown, for the money it should come with Bare Knuckle pick ups as standard. At that price point Suhr would be at the top of my list. I’ve recently ordered a classic T from Gordon Smith with a few extras, had a factory tour, met the guys, really accommodating to what I wanted, looking forward to having a British built guitar. I hope these Chapmans succeed, but too much for me.

[@rogershermanmusic]

I'd agree with this - I have a Suhr, and while it was expensive, I know that if I sell it, I'll get most of my money back. I'm fairly sure that a Chapman, no matter how nice it is, wouldn't have that kind of resale value. And I actually own a Chapman - an ML1-RS, on which I've upgraded the pickups, and added a treble bleed and higher quality pots. It's a very nice guitar.

[@archangelsean]

pickups dont really make THAT much of a difference, speaker is 90% of the tone (fact btw....) but id be intrigued to know who the builder is since the builder that was doing the uk workshop, packed in, also the pickups will be wound in the UK boutique pickups, if youdont like your tone, youll get more result changing speaker than anything else

[@faridh2999]

@@archangelsean good point, was thinking more towards having a branded pickup instead of inhouse. I think they’re made at PJD, I’m sure I read a response in the comments somewhere from someone at Chapman.

[@MrUmandMrEr]

Most HSS rock guitars have similar brightness issues. Humbuckers like 500k pots. Single coils like 250k. It would be so simple to rectify. Also at £3500 you'd think companies could add some more switching options.... Sort it aaahhhttt!

[@nabilcharbel4136]

In your hands you make any guitar sounds brilliant, awesome playing as usual Paul, cheers!

[@TheStudioRats]

Cheers Nabz others would disagree but I appreciate it.

[@frantisca]

Hi Paul, I've had an ML-1 from Chapman that gave me quite a lot of headaches. One cannot expect the highest standards from a 450 £ guitar, but still it was a very disappointing experience. Now, at the other extreme, to spend 3,5 grand for top-notch quality components seems quite ridiculous to me. You'd lose the same kind of money on reselling, as if it was a partscaster. Speaking of which, I assembled my own Strat with top of the line components (Suhr Michael Landau pickups, flamed roasted maple awesome neck, HSS body from Fender, Hipshot Griplock locking tuners...), for a fraction of what Chapman is asking. So, unless there is a money-back guarantee for Custom spec'ed guitars you can't try before the build, I would rather source my own components and assemble my own CS axe... Cheers ;-)

[@FGg503]

£3500?! No mate, I don't care where it's built. You can get a Fender Custom Shop Strat for that kind of money. I'd stick with the Indonesian made guitars. Far more reasonable and still pretty good.

[@jeffallen3382]

Chapman would never be worth that much! I've seen so many shady stuff from Rob Chapman and his company... Sorry. Just don't like how he has conducted his business over the last few years.

[@BrandOdyssey]

It’s not about build quality. There are 100s of brands with fantastic build quality. It’s a question of brand demand. Guitars are just like any other consumer good. They work off branding and availability. If I get sick of my slightly relic custom shop strat I can resell it pretty easily. Try re selling a 3500 pound Chapman. Good luck. The audience for this instrument is tiny. It’s just a good guitar. But there’s plenty of those. Brands bring the real value which is the mojo. Chapman has no mojo for me I’m afraid. I also think their logo is wrong. A messy signature isn’t a good vehicle for communicating a brand.

[@guitardave]

I know it’s “Brand-ist”, but if I’m paying that kind of money then I’m getting a Suhr!

[@nigelsmith721]

Based on?

[@siena9594]

Nice playing Paul and interesting guitar but for 3.5k for a guitar from a brand that really holds very little (if any) gravitas in the premium market... you'll literally be p***ing your money down the drain.. and that reverse headstock is the worse design decision ever.

[@TheStudioRats]

You know I wasn’t a fan of the reverse head stock but it’s growing on me.

[@siena9594]

@@TheStudioRats It's probably OCD on my part but I just couldn't live with it.. it just makes the whole guitar aesthetic balance look 'out of bonk... give me my Suhr Modern Terra any day of the week.

[@derekclacton]

I don’t think I’d get used to the headstock but I believe it has a technical advantage for tuning stability.

[@JohnMcGFrance]

Looks nice. Well made and easy to play. But, that price tag! If you buy a Suhr or a PRS etc they have a good resale value. I suspect that won’t be true of a Chapman. Still, good to see a British made guitar and I hope it does well.

[@WallyBoots]

I own a Chapman Ml1 Modern made in Indonesia and love it. But I don’t see who this guitar is for. If I had that kind of money to spend on a guitar it would not be a Chapman. The resale value on this have got to be horrible.

[@nigelsmith721]

The comments regarding resale value / depreciation are definitely a 21st century construct. The used market is already flooded with "custom" guitars...nobody seems to be in a guitar purchase for the long haul any more. Buy it, play it a few months, move it on. Anything I buy is bought to keep and they're in "rather used" condition after a year anyway...

[@froblivion8284]

Looks great - sounds great but is it 3.5k great? If I had that kind of money I’d be looking for a PRS or ESP. Good luck to them though 👍

[@fingolfen01]

I've got an ML-1 pro hybrid, which has been one of my absolute go to / workhorse guitars... rock solid instrument. I've got one of these on order and hopefully it will be here in a couple of weeks... can't wait to play it!

[@michelvondenhoff9673]

With expensive gear (what ever that means to you) resale value I'd focus on at first. Rules of thumb, think about it for three months...and if you still "need" it then go for it 😊

[@Utube-g3g]

True. I’m selling stuff now because some of us at times have to thin the herd. Or need money or just have too much and it’s a wake up call. Good gear gets better bucks. It’s just how it is.

[@NewLifeWithGuitar]

Amazing! Very insightful. I only started learning guitar 7 weeks ago and I'm documenting my entire learning journey on here so this was super motivational!

[@TheStudioRats]

Nice one, enjoy!

[@NewLifeWithGuitar]

@@TheStudioRats Thanks a lot! And thanks a lot for the great videos you put out. They're greatly appreciated!

[@thenovicenoisemaker]

I own an ML3 Pro and gave also had an ML1 Pro hybrid. They around £800-£1,000 and you get a lot of guitar for you money including these same Hipshot tuners but also Seymour Duncan’s and roasted maple neck. I’ve obviously not tried the one Paul is playing but it seems like a massive jump up and I don’t know how better it actually is 🤷🏼

[@DarkVelizar]

Awesome demo, and outstanding playing. Great guitar player

[@TheStudioRats]

Thank you kindly

[@garrysimmons111]

Great playing (as always). What scale / mode / whatever are you using? I'm stuck in the pentatonic box and want to add some of that flavor to my playing. Perhaps a topic for a future live stream?

[@EnFuegoPlays]

I found it interesting that you didn’t mention the reverse headstock. From string tension feel and general usability, it would have been useful to hear your opinion. 😊

[@jimshomestudio]

Interesting to hear you removed the locking saddles from your PT Suhr. Mine came without them, and I have never had an issue with tuning, the guitar and bridge are just well made and it stays in tune. The price is about 500 pounds over my comfort level. 3000 GBP feels more agreeable. I am a sucker for British made goods, and a fan of Rob and Lee. But not really into roasted maple. I do like regular maple. And Mahogany. Glad to hear your take on the pickups. I would like to receive a good PAF clone bridge and two Texas Special style singles. Always a pleasure Paul. Always.

[@TheStudioRats]

Cheers Jim!

[@basiltiffani8850]

I find chappers so insufferable that I'd never consider buying his brand. Fortunately for him, he doesn't need my support.

[@nigelsmith721]

That's a slightly odd purchasing criteria...

[@banjo7598]

I think even by Rob Chapman’s own admission he has been a somewhat polarising figure in the guitar retail/social media world. So having his name on the headstock is maybe a turnoff for some, sertainly the older generation or those who can whack out £3500 on a guitar. Also the reverse headstock is a no no for many of us. The price is steep but compared with a new Suhr, Anderson or Tyler doesn’t seem so bad. A rebranding, a touch of redesign (headstock) and these could be a real success.

[@fingolfen01]

These are all pretty much custom order and you can get them with the Fender style (non-reverse? reverse-reverse?) headstock...

[@joeisitt1904]

I think Rob is having a laugh, a Chapman for £3500, does he think he's Gibson now.😂

[@themuffinman3135]

I would love to own one of those guitars. Probably hand crafted, meticulously put together and a joy to play. If I had the money I’d buy one. Change the name on the headstock and a lot more people would buy one too. I personally buy my guitars based on the performance of the instrument not the name on the headstock or the personality behind the brand.

[@kmichaelp4508]

I’ll bet a simple solution would be a change of tone cap. Would make a world of difference. An interesting question would be who is making these for the company. For I’m sure they don’t have their own custom shop as of yet.

[@TheStudioRats]

Yes I’d like to know too.

[@Utube-g3g]

@@TheStudioRatsI heard it’s the same shop that has builders making that new company is it PJD guitars? It’s there that I heard they’re made but I don’t think they’ve made more than the original ten. It’s on the gear page. That’s where they discuss it. Just googled it. I knew I saw it somewhere. Plus, Chapman just recently bought another guitar company, Cerberus. I don’t think I spelled it right but it’s for heavy metal etc. Plus, since Rabea leaving and now endorsed by Ernie Ball, Rob is concentrating on Pete Honore’s model. He’s in Malta now according to Pete’s Instagram.

[@mike_aiton]

I thought it was PJD

[@philipcarson6768]

Tone cap change would not make a difference in a blind a/b test

[@steviesynapse]

Not a fan of the reverse headstock, and £3500 for a guitar whose modern 2-point tremolo system involves having 2 string trees seems unbelievable. Any friction point (even roller string trees) between the tuner and bridge reduces tuning stability. I would expect to have staggered tuners and no string trees at that price point. For me the pickups sound ‘okay’ but they lack warmth and character. Build quality looks good and it’s great that they’re British built but not sure where Chapman think their market is for these?

[@garywaddell6309]

If Lee buys one of these then I’ll consider it too 😊 I mean it looks and sounds great, but so do a lot of guitars at that price 🤔

[@TomaszCzajka80]

Great playing Paul, as always! Let's hope you don't get a cease and desist letter for saiying that you don't like the pickup😉

[@TheStudioRats]

😂 Cheers T, honestly it’s great. The pickups are just a preference, I’m sure many others would love that pickup.

[@daysleeper3910]

Wonderfully played.... but there is absolutely no way I would pay that for a Rob Chapman guitar. If this type of guitar is your thing, for that money a Suhr Pete Thorn, PIA or JS 2450 would be about the same price and are WAAAAaaaaay better guitars!. And I will not hear discussion on that!. haha... And the 'resale value' will also be higher.

[@jorgpetermann1525]

If i had to choose Chapman, Suhr, Nik Huber, etc. It will not be Chapman, sorry. 🤗

[@on3orafter]

£3.5k from the chap that called himself Monkey Lord I'm good thanks

[@ac30lifestyle]

Can't stop laughing. Brilliant comment and 1 I agree with 😂

[@hotel_yugoslavia]

one thing, you said "you can pretty much do divebombing and it comes back in tune" then you do a very slight dive. makes me think it doesn't. or?

[@agent_o_range]

There are a number of local builders that I could get the same price from and get a 100% custom guitar in return. Add to that the Chapman reputation and that the uk is no longer in the eu and a 25% tax will be added to the price. It’s a big no from me. Pretty nice looking guitar all that being said.

[@MrLespaul2000]

Great playing mate. What is the overdrive you are using please?

[@TheStudioRats]

Cheers it’s a CKK SHXC. I’ve done a video on it and there’s another coming soon comparing it to a gold centaur.

[@MrLespaul2000]

@@TheStudioRats cheers mate. It sounds great I'll check it out.

[@10sassafras]

The number of "flagship" guitars sold hardly matters if their purpose is to boost the desirability of the brand. I'm not surprised the product line includes an affordable model that looks similar.

[@badsanta518]

I would never pay that.Thats insane.

[@tonycowlishaw6671]

Still alot of money for a chapman. I ve had an ML1 for a wiile and its, ok but sounds a bit thick for me especially the low strings. Played it alot but now just reach for my Strat……takes some beating for an all round guitar.

[@glennmichaelthompson4112]

The video and playing are great. Not so sure I'd spend that kind of money on something by Rob Chapman. For that kind of money there are other guitars I'd be considering. For something comparable by Volta the price would be $1200 to $1400 US. Good luck and grrrreetings to the "Chappers". I'm curious as to who actually builds these Chapman Guitars....(?)

[@keithb5612]

Thanks Paul. Have you tried out a K Line Springfield or other version at all? Cheers

[@TheStudioRats]

I’ve tried obe briefly, I’d love to get a hot couple of hours with one.

[@mikemikemike701]

That’s a scam. Matte finish and two string trees? No way

[@TheStudioRats]

You can choose gloss apparently.

[@nitemunky76]

This or a Suhr Pete Thorn HSS? Not really a contest.

[@TheStudioRats]

I’m with you, I’d rather the Suhr personally but they’ve done a good job with these and there are a ton of Chapman guitar fans.

[@pkdude5334]

I wouldn't buy one for a dollar. if I hear that guy say "greetings" one more time I'm going to lose it.

[@TheStudioRats]

Ha ha

[@rupakbishwakarma7115]

Hy, which Camera do you use to make KZbin videos?

[@TheStudioRats]

LUMIX s5’s

[@derekclacton]

It’s a premium price but a high quality product - if it suits your playing style, it’s probably worth it but it wouldn’t be one for me.

[@garyharrer254]

What’s the overdrive?

[@RobvandenBoogaard]

It’s the CKK SHXC overdrive

[@cancelbubble6535]

Beautiful guitar but not something I would buy new. I wonder what sort of resell value those realistically have, could be something to watch for on the secondary market to look for a deal. For that price you're going to be much more protected with resell with other brands, though. Also, for that price it should come with some higher-end name brand pickups so there's less likelihood of dropping more $ to change those. Or at least be able to spec them out yourself.

[@jezza46]

Custom shop or not, unfortunately when you hear Chapman Guitars you think of guitars around £450 to £1000. It’s hard to think of them in the £3500 bracket. I wonder how sales will go??

[@TheStudioRats]

I agree, it’s hard for a brand to price up as opposed to a high end brand pricing down. The quality of this guitar is fantastic, I hope they can turn people around.

[@GShockWatchFan.]

Did you get to keep it?

[@TheStudioRats]

No.

[@Adventuresingearland]

Tasty. Be great as a ‘do-all’ session axe.

[@TheStudioRats]

Yes it would

[@dver4624]

For £3500 there should be more pickup options. Maybe the pots are 250k/300k and that's why the bridge pickup sounds dull.

[@philipcarson6768]

Pot value would make no difference hardly except when turned down

[@dver4624]

@@philipcarson6768 There is an audible difference between 250k and 500k pots, even when run 'wide open'.

[@philipcarson6768]

@@dver4624 negligible to inaudible difference wide open. Hardly a substitute for a brighter pickup

[@zaphodrahja]

Can't see many of these selling, there's just so many good guitars now for way less.

[@TheStudioRats]

Yes there are

[@iangray7904]

looks nice but they should've released them as another brand. Chapman are known as a budget brand, it'll be extremely difficult to shake that tag off. Resale will be horrible

[@mynickisnick4302]

It looks like a Harley Benton, the fusion model or something, with the roasted flame maple neck and all. Why not go with a Charvel Guthrie Govan, same price, more mojo.

[@k8923]

Interesting. I thought it was a beautiful guitar, except the pickups were too bright and lacking in bass response!! So maybe that was due to your tweaking of the high end. Would have liked hearing it direct out rather than through the pedal, just for comparison.

[@makinganoise6028]

Probably better value than a Gibson or Fender, but still, those will hold their value, I doubt this will tbh, I've had more expensive instruments in the past, now, with the likes of Sire and Jet, there is no need to lay out that amount of Dosh.

[@ARONHALLAM]

I'm left handed, I've had to play a few upside down strats. But equally as bad as the cutaway is trying to tune the other side of the headstock when your arm doesn't reach. I have to take the guitar off the tune it. Why anyone would do that on purpose is beyond me.

[@generalreviewer]

Never would I own one. Dread to think of the resale value.

[@JemMusic.]

Ikr. Buy for £3500 sell for £350.

[@ibaneze6666]

Resale value would drop like a stone

[@Docksidestudio1]

Reverse headstock is a no from me

[@JustinZak7]

the name "chapman" is a no for me.

[@AlanTopham2237]

@@JustinZak7 Be careful... Mr Chapman is prone to sue anyone who says "anything" negative about his product... 🤣

[@MickyWalnuts]

But presumably we can just say he is a massive tool? 😂

[@jips123]

I think in reverse and have no problem with the headstock.

[@picksalot1]

Reverse headstock is a plus for me, as string length helps balance string tension and should produce a better tone.

[@Awrange]

Resale value on these is probably not even close to a Suhr, worth considering

[@davidyeager8524]

There’s so much Chapman Hate out there! The Chapman name on the head stock will turn many or most people off. Especially when they hear the price!

[@christopher-miles]

bridge pick-up is too dark at a billion dollars.

[@24avenged24]

Do we know who's ghost building these for Chapman? I'd be much more interested in one of their instruments than anything associated with Rob Chapman.

[@Utube-g3g]

PJD the luthiers. It’s coming out of their shop. It’s explained up top by someone named Dan. I had already read that they were being made there on the gear page. So I guess they use some of the builders there.

[@NorthernMonkeyMusic]

As mentioned, wouldn't touch Chapman guitars. Can't stand the guy. Why anyone would ever consider this when you can get much better brands is just beyond me!

[@beamifrend]

If I pay £3k for a guitar, I want a luthier's name on the headstock, not some youtuber rebadging Indonesian firewood backed by his mate who manages his dad's shop.

[@Dawgley]

no thanks. ill get a premium ibanez or a musicman or a suhr

[@DimKAt21]

LoL 😂

[@guymarzello8818]

Ummm...No.

[@jimspy8248]

No brand value

[@RomainG6409]

3500 £ for that ?!? No way ... Nothing on that guitar justifies that price ... not even the look which is quite basic ... I'll pass...

[@NoName-ql1wk]

It's a PJD which is a 1800 quid guitar. Avoid!!!!!

[@AWMJoeyjoejoe]

Ferrari money for a Hyundai badge. Hard pass.

[@winstonschwarz1636]

Guitar sounds cheap. Nice ornament in a too tidy living room though.

[@JeanDo]

Giving money to Chapman… I’d prefer to die! 🤢

[@SamTaylor-HealthMediaandSpirit]

think we have hit a difficult crossroads now , My £150 jet telecaster sounds better than this

[@anthonycosta2662]

No

[@lindamcguigan5989]

The monkey lord custom shop 😅😅

[@paulparker8298]

2k tops !

[@johnmurray3346]

Someone makes an Awesome guitar and all the wankers start complaining 🤔 Go figure…..

[@mikeanaro]

Awesome? you have lots of great brands that have a name in the premium market, are you a noob or something?

[@antonyedwardson9900]

@@squickerhave to disagree, to modify your analogy I’d say it would be like putting a Kia badge on a TVR as apart from the name and the reverse headstock design, these guitars are totally different from their Indonesian ranges. Small batch, made in the UK, specially selected woods, pickups wound in house etc. none of this is to say that I would buy one of these if I had £3.5k to spend on a guitar though, but I wouldn’t discount it on an Incorrect understanding that I’d be getting a cheap guitar dressed up as an expensive one.

[@squicker]

@@antonyedwardson9900That, to be fair, is a better analogy, and I now consider myself schooled in analogies 😇 Although, if it's a TVR it'll be in the workshop for most of its life, rather than the player's hands!

[@antonyedwardson9900]

@@squicker that is absolutely true!! 😁

[@johnmurray3346]

@@squicker its not even built by chapman is it wanker

[@WallyBoots]

I own a Chapman Ml1 Modern made in Indonesia and love it. But I don’t see who this guitar is for. If I had that kind of money to spend on a guitar it would not be a Chapman. The resale value on this have got to be horrible.