Chapman ML3 Traditional P90

[@chapmanguitars]

Sounds great! Thanks James

[@jamesfranklandguitar]

Thanks Guys!

[@jacob_krause_official7286]

I bought one strictly based on this video, and after doing a full proper set-up on it, it's my new workhorse. Absolutely stunning guitar. The fretboard and general setup were pretty good out of the box, but i put on 9-46's, lowered the tuning to Eb, and had to raise the P90 because for whatever reason they had it super low, sounded terrible til I got it closer to the strings. Didnt need to touch the bridge or truss rod at all, so good on them for that. For the price, this thing is insanely nice.

[@mikehulsey4813]

The music played during the intro is absolutely stunning! Couldn’t believe how beautifully done that piece was. I probably stopped and listened to it 20 or so times back to back before letting the video continue playing. Again, pretty amazing piece there and just thought that it should be stated again.

[@jamesfranklandguitar]

Hey Mike, thank you so much for the kind words, I'm trying to find a home for that track at the minute. I've got a more full structure demo that might make its way onto the next album, I was going for Mark Knopfler/David Gilmour style with that one

[@mikehulsey4813]

@@jamesfranklandguitar this one has to find a home my friend, it’s WAY too GOOD Not too! The world needs that one completed. I listen to a lot of players and find myself occasionally repeating or going back for a second look or listen to a riff or a line at times, but it’s a rarity that I’ll listen to the entirety of a piece more than two dozen times! That one resonated with me and I can see I’m not the only one to have mentioned it. Keep doing what you do and make sure to get that out for others to enjoy and see the talent, creativity, emotion in that one

[@jamesfranklandguitar]

@@mikehulsey4813 thanks so much Mike, you’re too kind. I really appreciate it and so pleased you like the track! I’ll make sure it’s on album number 3...still have album 2 to release yet but well into the demos for the 3rd. Thanks so much for the support 🎸🙏

[@Maktheblade]

At 1:36 is what helped me decide to buy this - thank you, kind sir.

[@petermartin1967]

What a fantastic video! Subscribed 😀👍🏻

[@jamesfranklandguitar]

@@petermartin1967 thank you 🎸

[@andygogocomics]

I’ve been in the market for a Chapman for a while, and I LOVE the look of this guitar. Also, I watch a lot of KZbinrs and your playing is among the best. Cheers 🍻

[@jamesfranklandguitar]

Thank you man, this is one of my favourites of the Chapman line up, and by far my favourite in the price bracket 🎸

[@jacob_krause_official7286]

Dude, that intro literally had me subscribed in seconds. Amazing!

[@jamesfranklandguitar]

Thanks so much man! I’m in the process of working that one into a full track for a future album, the next one is all recorded but hopefully will have a full version of this track on album number 3 🎸

[@jacob_krause_official7286]

Looking forward to it

[@jamesfranklandguitar]

@@jacob_krause_official7286 Thanks man, the next album is all recorded and being mixed as we speak, planning on having at least a couple of singles out before the end of the year. Album number 3 will be the one that has the intro performance to this video on as a full track. That one is just at the demo stage at the minute but as soon as I have more news on that one I’ll make sure to post about it.

[@davidcarson7936]

Honest, no nonsense video

[@Sattvaarising]

Wonderful video. Is the guitar a little ‘neck heavy’ compared to the rest of the body or is it nicely balanced?

[@thepainter1956]

Looking for a guitar with a P90. Doesn't seem to be many on Thomann. This caught my eye. Price is great too.

[@stevendearden8030]

Lovely review. I bought the exact same guitar today & think it is amazing for the cash. Cheers

[@ghostmadecellophane]

Do you find the neck on the thicker side? Bought a 2018 burst finish model..the neck feels super thick

[@jazzbanga2045]

Very nice friend

[@tricky20005]

How did you find this against the Schecter PT you reviewed?

[@jamesfranklandguitar]

Hey man sorry for the slow reply, I'd say they're different takes on a similar concept really. They feel quite different neck wise, this feels rounder with a more vintage profiled carve and radius, the Schecter is probably similar in neck thickness but has finish on the neck and a flatter radius - I think 14" if I remember correctly. I'd try both if you can if you're choosing between the two, as the main difference is the feel which will be a personal preference thing. Build quality wise I'd say it's an even playing field from the guitars I've played

[@tricky20005]

@@jamesfranklandguitar thanks! Came across your channel because of your PT video but found myself playing your music. Loving your playing style

[@jamesfranklandguitar]

@@tricky20005 Thanks man, really appreciate it! The next album is 80% tracked, hoping to have it released later this year 🎸

[@danieldoy1570]

Nickel frets , I think your right about the feel of the neck and frets . Bought one in Black, needed a good set up but now plays and sounds wonderful. A very affordable guitar at the moment

[@oldbonespickups]

Awesome video mate, it looks nicer than I originally thought too.

[@jamesfranklandguitar]

Thanks mate!

[@fgofans824]

Mega ultra Underrated :')

[@paulievee8830]

More about the neck please? The rolled edges are supposed to be incredible? Does it feel like a fender or squire or does it feel more like a custom shop fender? Please I'm about to buy a guitar and this very simplistic improved version of a telecaster is haunting me lol I need a little bit more information on that neck

[@jamesfranklandguitar]

Hi Paulie, the rolled edges on this neck are very comfortable, I'd say definitely on a level higher than the price attached to this guitar. It's difficult to compare to a specific model of Fender as they can vary, out of my own guitars I'd say it feels closest to the '89 Esquire in terms of neck profile. Hope that helps, if possible I'd recommend trying one to see if it's a neck profile that is to your liking. Any more questions let me know! 🎸

[@paulievee8830]

@@jamesfranklandguitar thank you for that

[@jamesfranklandguitar]

@@paulievee8830 Happy to help, any more questions let me know

[@arrel.musica]

Hey man, very nice playing! Do you know whats the radius? And how big are the frets? Thank you!

[@jamesfranklandguitar]

Thanks man, it's 9.5 on this one

[@jamesfranklandguitar]

Apologies! Just double checked it's actually 13.5"

[@chitaristu88]

Just ordered this guitar online, without having the pleasure to try it before. I really hope it will be good. Cheers mate.

[@jamesfranklandguitar]

I was genuinely really impressed with it, incase that didn't come across in the video... I think you'll like it!

[@jazzbanga2045]

Love it

[@jamesfranklandguitar]

Thanks mate 🙏

[@thenovicenoisemaker]

I got this in black which I reviewed (I'm no James when it comes to playing!) and also think this guitar is fabulous and I've owned 136 guitars now

[@jamesfranklandguitar]

Thanks Man! Really am genuinely impressed with this one

[@thenovicenoisemaker]

@@jamesfranklandguitar great value for money too

[@matthewholme297]

The p 90 sounds so glassy an articulate nice n squishy sounding

[@duarteestelita7257]

solid review man. Thank you for the video. I’ve been looking at this guitar for quite a long time.. Presently it’s gone a little bit cheaper than its typical price point, so far.. but i am still undecided. tone wise sounds pretty good. construction seems good too. And it aesthetically pleasing. all in all a nice package. Would you look into anything else in this ~500€ range.. that presents the same rather contemporary Tele approach ? thanks again

[@jamesfranklandguitar]

Thanks man, I was really impressed with this one, particularly for it's price. The only other one I can think of really that does the contemporary tele thing at a similar price point would be the Schecter PT Special. I've got a demo with that one on here too if it helps🎸

[@RomainG6409]

Great sound ! I love it and already loved it on your Duesenberg test video ;-) what is the tuning you use on the intro ? thanks

[@jamesfranklandguitar]

Haha thank you, I thought I could get away with reusing that one ;) I'm in half step in this one, although in the Duesenberg video I was in standard, both played in C# minor

[@RomainG6409]

​@@jamesfranklandguitar and that is a fantastic riff in both tuning !!! I have copied it and I do play it often I must admit ... I wish you will do a full song with it some day ? 😉👏🙏

[@jamesfranklandguitar]

@@RomainG6409 Thank you! I have been trying to find a home for it as a full track, it's not on the next album but I'm thinking it could make it's way onto album #3

[@RomainG6409]

@@jamesfranklandguitar great Thanks !!! Will wait for it 🤘

[@jamesfranklandguitar]

@@RomainG6409 thank you! I'll have some release information for the next album very soon 🎸

[@mcgrls1]

Just wanted to get your opinion on this vs the Schecter PT special you reviewed previously, as they seem very similarly spec'd and priced. Great playing as always!

[@jamesfranklandguitar]

Thanks Steven, they're a similar-ish take on things tone wise I'd say, it's mainly the feel where they differ. The biggest difference I noticed was the feel of the neck, this feels rounder with a more vintage profiled carve and radius, the Schecter is probably similar in neck thickness but has finish on the neck and a flatter radius - I think 14" if I remember correctly. Just depends what your personal preference is really. I'd try both if you can if you're choosing between the two, as the main difference is the feel which will be a personal preference thing. Build quality wise I'd say it's an even playing field from the two guitars I've played. Any more questions let me know! 🎸

[@tooManywaystoFall]

🎵r0ck0n 🎵

[@PaulHandley-m5j]

Why would you Demo/review a guitar with effects like distortion and delay etc. I want to hear what the guitar sounds like not the the pedals.

[@returnofthenative]

Yeah but, yeah but, Chapman? No thanks.

[@alee7275]

Why no chapman?

[@returnofthenative]

@@alee7275 Many reasons, the man is a grifter, his guitars are built on the cheap for those who don't yet know. I refuse to reward his like, or "the captain" & useful idiot crew at Anderton's, they don't sell you what's good for you, they sell you what's good for them. So who do I choose to reward? People with integrity.

[@chocolatecookie8571]

'Angry mule' haha. That's a cool name for a pickup. Nickel frets are way more comfortable to play and they also sound better. They are softer and rounder and workable. I have experience with nickel and ss but much more prefer the old fashion nickel all based upon personal experience regardless of all the nickel vs ss video's and research. Not even Yngwie Malmsteen uses ss and if he doesn't then to me that confirms that I am right about my opinion. Yngwie is very specific when it comes to specs. The whole SS frets is just a hype that everyone is running after just because it happens to be there and monkey see monkey do.

[@5.15]

It is all a matter of preference, really. I prefer some guitars with nickel and others with stainless steel frets. In a blind test I would not be able to pick up on any difference in sound between the two personally. They do feel slightly different. Slightly more resistance on nickel and slightly less on stainless while bending or sliding. Steel feels faster and slicker. Nickel frets are certainly much easier to work on (which you or your luthier will have to do on a regular basis if you don't appreciate a worn in feel)... Once you get SS frets where you want them to be they will be there for a long, long time. I tend to stick with nickel on my vintage guitars and go for SS on my more modern shredders. I would compare the difference to the feel of a well worn nitro neck (a little drag and some unevenness here and there) and a fairly fresh, lightly sanded down poly neck (very fast, fully even and smooth).