New Guitar Day. Chapman ML1

[Archer_of_Fish]

Bought and modded the hell out of a Chapman ML-1 in antique sunburst. This isnt my first Chapman so I knew going in that the 'Guitarnivore' and 'Extreme Victory' pickups are absolutely horrible had to go. I put in a pair of Duncan YJM stacks and a Duncan Custom Custom in the bridge. Great pickup setup...sadly I messed up and wired in the middle pickup to the wrong lug of the push pull tone control and....it doesn't activate. Since I have been awake way too long I decided to leave it for now. I'll fix the wiring goof up sunday or during the week. The CC is fat and warm sounding, very brown and very beefy. The YJMs (well the YJM right now) are great, has a hot strat sound that I like in the neck. When I decide I want to pop the tone out and do some more soldering .

I have the trem setup properly and it stays in tune, I polished the frets and did a complete setup and set the intonation. Took off the 10-46 D'Addarios and put on a set of 9.5-44 D'Addarios.

I decided to go with a Pensa-Suhr vibe and deep sixed most of the black parts.

Here is a stock one:

And here is mine after the mods:

Here are both of the Chapman guitars I own...excellent guitars for the money. The black one has a Dimarzio Breed and a couple VV stacks in the middle and neck. If memory serves they are a heavy blues in the neck and a 54 in the middle

These guitars have a lot of bang for the buck.

 

[FuseG4]

Re: New Guitar Day. Chapman ML1

Nice! Cool to see some single coils that go well with the custom custom.
It doesn't stand out much with the stock black parts but your mods look pretty dang smexy.

 

[Archer_of_Fish]

Re: New Guitar Day. Chapman ML1

I fixed the wiring this morning. Along the way I found 2 telecaster style control knobs which pretty much complete the look of the guitar. I think I may get a set of chrome tuning machines at some time in the future.

This thing sounds and plays incredible.

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: New Guitar Day. Chapman ML1

Captain and Chappers came up with a value for money product to suit popular demand at an affordable price. Having watched their You Tube presentations of this brand, it soon becomes apparent that the models with American pickups are the ones to have. Clearly, the non-signature models are worth upgrading.

 

[Archer_of_Fish]

Re: New Guitar Day. Chapman ML1

The quality of the instruments is the same on the models with or without Duncans. It is the build quality of these that really impresses me.

 

[Jermo3178]

Re: New Guitar Day. Chapman ML1

I've always wanted to try one of these, but yet to luck up and stumble across one. Pretty sweet axe Archer

 

[JOLLY]

Re: New Guitar Day. Chapman ML1

that is one great looking guitar right there.

 

[Ashurbanipal]

Re: New Guitar Day. Chapman ML1

Does it have a Wilkinson/Gotoh bridge?

 

[Archer_of_Fish]

Re: New Guitar Day. Chapman ML1

It does and these bridges are fantastic. Even without locking tuners it stays in tune exceptionally well.

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: New Guitar Day. Chapman ML1

That Wilkinson bridge is their take on the PRS fulcrum design. (Gotoh had nothing to do with it.) Close examination will reveal that the raised edge of that bridge is not as solid as it first appears. Not to worry. It works perfectly and is very affordable.