Last Updated on March 25 by Monty Python
If you are new to guitar playing and looking to up your game then this could only be achieved if you have the best instrument. The best instrument means that your guitar should support easy playing and allow all the convenience which the budding guitarists look for. In this regard, the Chapman Guitar ML1 Modern V2 model is one of the finest that you could put your money on. It comes with a reasonably affordable price tag and has got all those features that could help in enhancing your guitar playing game. It is a beautiful dual humbucker instrument that combines the best of the modern age and classic design. Also, check out the best guitar under 300 dollars
Table of Contents
Design and Top Features
The Chapman Guitar ML1 Modern V2 is more of a stripped-down kind of guitar. It is loved for its simplistic but striking design. The range of features on this instrument is based on the beautiful Mahogany body which comes with a beautiful flame maple veneer exterior. It has a convenient maple neck which is adorned along with another top-quality section of the Macassar ebony fretboard. This section has a satin finish which is good for giving a fast and smooth feel while playing the instrument. Coming with a couple of Chapman Ceramic Sonorous Humbuckers, the Chapman Guitar ML1 Modern V2 is engineered to howl and scream. It promises to provide guitarists with the max possible output. One extremely excellent addition in its feature is the tone knob with pull-push functionality. It employs a coil that split both of the humbuckers conveniently. This is not something to be considered as an extremely common option, especially for the price this guitar comes at. Furthermore, it also helps in facilitating this instrument with convenient playability through the entire octave range. Learn more about How to Restring an Electric Guitar That Has String Retainers
Another aspect of this guitar is that it has a thin body with Strat-style contouring. The weight of the instrument is heavy enough to give the vibe of its sturdiness and at the same time, it is light enough to be played comfortably. You can hold it for hours of playing but will never get tired, no matter what you play it will sitting or standing. The Fender-style construction and the bolt on the neck make this V2 model an excellent option. This is convenient for all those guitarists who want to upgrade, modify or repair any of the potential damage by themselves. A screwdriver and a soldering iron will be good enough to let you into any part of the guitar.
Neck
The Chapman Guitar ML1 Modern V2 model has opted for a satin-finished smooth Maple for its neck. It is backed with a bolt-on configuration that features a velute. Such reinforcement is coupled with a truss rod offering dual-action. It means that the solid tuning stability comes with top-class adeptness along with productive drop tuning as well. The satin finish provides the required slippery touch and then the C-shaped neck would further enhance playability. It also means that you will be able to play anything, no matter, whatever your playing style is. Finally, all of the 24 frets given on the neck are quite convenient to access which is all thanks to its ideally designed neck heel.
Pickups
Pickups of this V2 model are one of the major highlights as they are new and improved in comparison to their previous variants. They are in-house made within the new factory of the manufacturer. Unlike the previous designs from the brand for the pickups, the newer variant comes with high-quality magnets which come from the USA. This is in contrast to the majority of the other guitars that employ generic magnets, which are not that good. These generic magnets are the same that are easily found sometimes in cars and other usual household appliances. These magnetic ones are tailor-made for guitars only. If you think that the previous variant along with the single coils sounds great then your experience with this V2 model will be par excellence. The Chapman manufacturer has re-voiced these new enhanced pickups so that they could offer much crisper articulation. This would then lead to better-pronounced mid-range and much glibber high and low-end frequencies. In short, you will surely get the sound level sound quality with an excellent tonal definition for live use.
Sound
The Chapman Guitar ML1 Modern V2 is a loud guitar. At its top range, it could blow away many other humbucker instruments while retaining the clarity in the tone. The supplementary gain and even individual notes could be easily audible with no ambiguity at all. This could happen in the majority of the possible chord positions on both the bridge pickup and the neck. The neck pickup tones are outstanding. The coil-split option is a great feature given on the tone pit. You will love to play around with this. While employing the split as a kind of a rhythmic tone. The Chapman Guitar ML1 Modern V2 could also be enhanced with its boost setting where this guitar could then be used as solos or big choruses. Learn more about PRS SE Hollowbody II Piezo Electric Guitar Review.
Hardware and Electronics
The Chapman manufacturer has equipped this V2 model with a couple of excellent Sonorous-0 humbuckers. Clarity and power sit at the core of this unit and it complements the maple and mahogany construction. You can expect to have a crystal clear top end along with soaring sustain. There is a productive 3-way pickup switch and then also a pull-push type of coil tap which broadly expands onto the tonal palette that you have there. The one that initially seems to be quite a simple type of HH configuration turns suddenly into a highly versatile instrument. It will be capable enough to handle almost everything and anything that you will throw at it. The suitable nut and the hardware across the fretboard will ensure an ideal balance between your playing attitude and the versatility of the guitar.
Playability Limitations
The playability overall is quite fine and much better than what you expect initially from this item. However, there is one issue which is about the reverse headstock that takes some bit of your time to get used to it. The tuners are provided upside down and they are also in reverse order as compared with the tele headstock or the standard strat. This is the actual reason for that limitation. Moreover, such a setting sometimes pushes you to go with the wrong peg and that will also take some time to normalize. Moreover, the tuners are a bit less accessible due to the reverse headstock given.
Video Credit: Rabea Massaad
Conclusion
The Chapman Guitar ML1 Modern V2 is one of the finest guitars in its range which suits the needs of novice and mid-level guitarists. This dual humbucker comes with a mix of classic and contemporary design which adds good charm to its aesthetics. You will adore its vibrant finish and will thoroughly enjoy its punchy pickups. It supports comfortable playability which makes this instrument one of the best in its league. This V2 model is manufactured with nicely baked tone-woods which ensures enhanced durability along with resonance. There will also be a better experience with its fretboard edges and the top-quality pickup magnets. The hardware and electronics are quite reliable as well with no considerable flaw at all. Moreover, the sounds are also much better than what you will expect from a guitar with the price tag it comes with.