TEST: Chapman Guitars ML2 Pro Azure Blue

Rob Chapman polarizes. I don't know if I've ever met a manufacturer in the instrument trade whose personality, combined with his YouTube presence, attracts even more attention from his critics and disciples than his instruments. In terms of advertising, this is a good thing, because similar to YouTuber Ola Englund, who promotes his company Solar Guitars with his informative, but also sometimes exhausting manner, Rob Chapman captivates many people with his, let's say, discreetly condescending manner, otherwise the more than 737,000 followers can probably not be explained. However, what interests us in this test, apart from his person and how he got the money to found his company, is the Chapman Guitars ML2 Pro Azure Blue, an instrument whose supreme father was chiseled on its body at first glance.

The construction of the Chapman Guitars ML2 Pro Azure Blue

Has anyone bothered to count how many Les Paul copies there are currently on the market and once were? I think the only higher number is for Strat copies, but I'm sure the Les Paul is in second place. Compared to the first decades of Gibson, copyists have a much harder time nowadays, because many details are protected by trademark and patent law and are monitored worldwide. Therefore, we also find a lot of details on the Chapman Guitars ML2 Pro Azure Blue, which deviate from the original Les Paul, sometimes even with interesting side effects, but more on that later.

Even if at first glance you automatically think of an LP, if you go into detail, you immediately notice that only the single cut shape of the body and the combination of mahogany body with maple top was taken from the original, the rest of the construction is indeed very unique. Many guitarists like the sustain-laden, voluminous sound of a (good) Les Paul, but also complain in the same breath about the sometimes heavy weight of the protagonists. You won't find this construction trait with the Chapman Guitars ML2 Pro Azure Blue, so the body has just a thickness of 35 mm and brings as a complete instrument a flyweight of just 3 kg on the scale. That is Ibanez RG level!

Who comes from the Les Paul, especially if it is a vintage instrument, knows of course the "angular" environment of the instrument, especially in the area of the neck transition and the armrest and the associated struggle against the wood. Chapman takes a much more modern approach to this area, giving the instrument pronounced shaping in both the cutaway and rib areas, making it easier to play, especially when standing up.

The neck construction of the Korean-made instrument also differs from the original in several respects. Already at the first grip around the neck you feel that especially the first frets are comparatively far away from the body, which is due to the long scale length of 648 mm, while the majority of the Gibson portfolio has the short scale length of 625 mm. Due to the 24 frets (Gibson 22 frets), the neck pickup slips a bit to the back and unfortunately leaves what I consider the vibration optimal point below the 24th fret, but that's a matter of taste.

Another difference is the neck wood used, which turns out to be roasted maple and thus a classic antithesis to the mahogany otherwise used in the LP range. Here, too, you can feel the very pronounced sustain of the Chapman Guitars ML2 Pro Azure Blue already at the first, still unamplified notes, which can hold a candle to many sustain monsters with a continuous neck. To what extent one likes the natural colored finish of the back of the neck, including the slanted heel of the body, is up to each individual to decide. The profile of the neck is described as a C profile from the factory, but it would still pass for a hefty "D" depending on how you interpret it. A medium-dark Macassar Ebony was used as the fingerboard, which only features an Infinity inlay at the 12th fret. Very nice also the use of the glow-in-the-dark side dots on the side of the fingerboard, which already start glowing at slight darkening.

In terms of hardware, Chapman uses the quite rarely used open Hipshot Grip-Lock with an 18:1 ratio, which come across very fancy with their locking wheel below the open machine heads. Nevertheless, they do a very good job in cooperation with the Graph Tech Black TUSQ XL Nut saddle. In order to generate the maximum of vibration behavior in terms of sustain with the bridge construction as well, a hard tail was used, which guides the strings through the body at a 90 degree angle. To what extent this comparatively strong bend weakens the strings in their structure depends on the personal playing style and must be found out by everyone himself.

As strap buttons Chapman names products of own production, but it is the well-known Schaller system and should therefore also be compatible with the corresponding strap counterparts. The three-way switch used goes pleasantly smoothly, but has a comparatively short switching travel, so you have to be a bit more sensitive when trying to hit the center position. The controls are designed as a speed dome variant and have 2x Volume and once Mastertone, which uses the respective outer coil of the pickups in split mode via push / pull.

Speaking of pickups, in some of my previous reviews of Chapman Guitars, besides the mostly convincing construction of the instrument, the in-house pickups were my biggest point of criticism, which with a comparatively thin and sharp sound significantly diminished the overall sound of the respective instruments. Apparently Chapman Guitars seem to have taken this point to heart, as the Chapman Guitars ML2 Pro Azure Blue is now equipped with pickups from Seymour Duncan. These are a Seymour Duncan Sentient humbucker on Alnico 5 basis with a DC resistance of 7.8 kohm at the neck and a Seymour Duncan Pegasus humbucker, also on Alnico 5 basis with a DC resistance of 12.5 kohm.

In practice

Perhaps one thing up front, I personally like to have the neck pickup below the 24th fret, as mentioned earlier, because the vibration characteristics are captured better here than when the pickup is shifted slightly towards the bridge. However, this is only possible with a maximum of 22 frets and thus cannot be implemented on the Chapman Guitars ML2 Pro Azure Blue. To what extent this meets the personal taste or not, everyone must decide for themselves, I for my part am of the opinion that especially with a clean guitar the middle position loses a little character, but as I said, matter of taste.

Apart from this point, one has to give the entire guitar and especially the pickups a top grade over the entire test parameters. Chapman Guitars has done the only right thing and handed over a very important part of the overall sound to a specialist company, in this case the change in the pickup area to Seymour Duncan. The instrument does indeed offer a very wide range of tonal variation and is also very easy to play in terms of feel. The sustain is excellent, the playability is exemplary and the Chapman Guitars ML2 Pro Azure Blue is one of the few guitars that I recently got to test where both the humbucker and single coil pickup settings are convincing.

In combination with the test setup Hughes & Kettner Triamp MK III, Marshall 412 with Celestion G12 75T and 2 pcs. Shure SM 57 the instrument offers from clean over crunch up to high gain a consistently characterful basic tone, which always asserts itself well in the band context and leaves a very good qualitative impression. Anyone who appreciates the Les Paul shape, but does not want to close himself off to modern style elements, should definitely take the instrument into closer consideration.

Conclusion

With the Chapman Guitars ML2 Pro Azure Blue, the British manufacturer with Asian manufacturing introduces a high-quality single cut variant in its portfolio. The instrument impresses with very good components, impeccable workmanship, a fusion of traditional elements with modern enhancements and has also responded to the criticism regarding the earlier pickup choice and raised the instrument to a new level of quality with two pickups from the house of Seymour Duncan.

A very good instrument that deserves a closer look.

Additional Informations:

- Chapman Guitars is a UK-based guitar manufacturer that has gained a reputation for producing high-quality, affordable guitars that are beloved by both professional musicians and hobbyists alike. Founded in 2009 by Rob Chapman, a well-known YouTube guitarist and guitar enthusiast, the company has grown rapidly over the past decade and is now considered one of the top guitar brands in the world.

One of the key selling points of Chapman Guitars is their commitment to producing guitars that are both high-quality and affordable. The company has achieved this by partnering with manufacturing facilities in Asia, which allows them to keep production costs low while still maintaining a high level of quality control. The result is a range of guitars that are both reliable and affordable, making them an excellent choice for guitar players of all skill levels.

Chapman Guitars offers a wide range of guitar models, including both electric and acoustic guitars. Their electric guitars are known for their versatility, with models ranging from classic designs like the ML1 and ML3 to more modern designs like the Ghost Fret and the ML2 Pro Modern. The company also offers a range of signature models, designed in collaboration with well-known guitarists like Rabea Massaad and Lee Anderton.

In addition to their electric guitars, Chapman Guitars also produces a range of acoustic guitars. These guitars are built to the same high standards as their electric models and are designed to appeal to a range of players, from beginners to professionals. The company's acoustic lineup includes models like the ML1 CAP10, the ML1 Modern Baritone, and the ML3 Traditional.
One of the things that sets Chapman Guitars apart from other guitar manufacturers is their commitment to engaging with their community of fans and customers. The company has a large following on social media, and regularly interacts with fans and customers through their YouTube channel, Instagram, and other platforms. This community engagement has helped the company to build a loyal following of customers who feel connected to the brand and its values.

Another key aspect of Chapman Guitars' success is their dedication to innovation. The company is constantly experimenting with new designs and features, and is not afraid to take risks and try new things. This willingness to innovate has led to the development of unique features like the Chapman Guitars' "Infinity" pickup system, which offers a high level of tonal flexibility and versatility.

Overall, Chapman Guitars is a company that has built a reputation for producing high-quality, affordable guitars that are designed to appeal to a wide range of players. With their commitment to innovation, community engagement, and quality control, it's no wonder that the company has become one of the top guitar brands in the world.


- Les Paul was an American musician, inventor, and pioneer of the electric guitar who revolutionized the music industry in the 20th century. Born Lester William Polsfuss in 1915 in Waukesha, Wisconsin, Paul began playing guitar at a young age and was quickly recognized for his exceptional talent. He went on to become one of the most influential guitarists of all time, and his innovations in guitar design and sound continue to shape the music industry to this day.

One of Les Paul's most significant contributions to music was the invention of the solid-body electric guitar. In the 1930s and 1940s, electric guitars were typically hollow-bodied, which meant that they were prone to feedback and had limited sustain. Les Paul recognized the potential of the electric guitar, but knew that it needed to be redesigned in order to reach its full potential. In the 1940s, he began experimenting with solid-body guitar designs, and eventually developed a prototype that would become the first Gibson Les Paul guitar. The solid-body design allowed for better sustain, reduced feedback, and a wider range of tonal possibilities, which helped to establish the electric guitar as a viable instrument in its own right.

In addition to his contributions to guitar design, Les Paul was also a talented musician and performer. He was known for his virtuosic playing style, which combined elements of jazz, country, and blues. He had a successful career as a solo artist, releasing numerous albums and hit songs throughout the 1940s and 1950s. He also collaborated with many other musicians, including Bing Crosby, Nat King Cole, and Chet Atkins.

Les Paul was also an inventor and innovator outside of the music world. He developed many groundbreaking technologies, including the first multi-track recording system, which allowed for the creation of layered recordings that were previously impossible. He was also involved in the development of tape delay effects, which are still widely used in modern music production.


Despite his many achievements, Les Paul remained humble throughout his life and always attributed his success to hard work and dedication. He was a tireless performer and continued to play music well into his 90s, earning numerous awards and accolades for his contributions to the music industry.

Today, Les Paul's legacy continues to live on through his music, his inventions, and his impact on the guitar industry. His contributions to the development of the electric guitar have had a profound impact on the music world, and his name is synonymous with innovation, creativity, and excellence. Les Paul was truly a trailblazer in every sense of the word, and his influence on music will continue to be felt for generations to come.