Chapman Guitars ML2 Thomann Special Edition: Two new stripped-back, full-on rock machines
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Chapman Guitars has two new ML2 Thomann Special Edition models due for imminent release. The guitars were first mentioned last year and were seen floating around the other week at this year’s Winter NAMM. And now, they’re up for pre-order!
Chapman Guitars ML2 Thomann Special Edition
Chapman Guitars has teamed up with the folks over at Thomann to give us two new ML2 Thomann Special Edition guitars. Both guitars are variations of the popular Chapman ML2 design.
The new models are stripped-back, single-pickup, no-nonsense versions of the ML2 and are similar in their construction. The main differences are the choice of pickup and the colour.
These new models have a mahogany body and set neck, with a 25” scale length. The neck has a C shape and the Macassar ebony fingerboard has 22 jumbo frets and pearl dot inlays. There’s also a wraparound bridge and a set of Chapman Classic Closed 18:1 ratio tuners. Both guitars are made in Indonesia.
Chapman Guitars ML2J Trad Teal Ltd
The ML2J Trad Teal Ltd, as the name suggests, is available in a Teal finish, which, along with the off-white binding, looks really classy to me. I think it suits the single-cut design really well.
The guitar comes loaded with a single Chapman P90 pickup in the bridge position wired via a volume and tone control. To be fair, that’s all you really need with a single pickup guitar. As a result, it leaves the guitar looking neater and uncluttered.
The model is currently available to pre-order. A left-handed version can also be had, for exactly the same price, without any added charges. Other manufacturers take note! Chapman Guitars uses a voting system with fans/buyers to create its products. I think it really paid off this time. This guitar looks stunning and has the potential to be a real little tone monster.
Chapman Guitars ML2J Trad. Teal Ltd. · Source: Chapman Guitars/Thomann
Chapman Guitars ML2J Modern Deep Cherry
The ML2J Modern Deep Cherry is a ‘modern’ version of the same stripped-back, single-pickup design philosophy. It’s basically the same guitar, but comes equipped with a single Chapman Stentorian Zerø Humbucker in the bridge position instead. No binding this time, but I think the Deep Cherry finish looks great.
Chapman Guitars ML2J Modern Deep Cherry · Source: Chapman Guitars/Thomann
RRP: All models EUR 599 incl. deluxe gig bag
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10 responses to “Chapman Guitars ML2 Thomann Special Edition: Two new stripped-back, full-on rock machines”
I’m a bit curious why there’s no mention of the recent controversy surrounding Mr Chapman himself. It’s not like Gearnews wouldn’t jump on opportunities to mention issues in organisations behind an instrument *cough* Gibson *cough* when the issues don’t have an immediate bearing on the value of the instrument itself.
I know Rob personally, so I’m not getting involved.
Not getting involved … except promoting his failing business you mean?
Well, ultimately it doesn’t make much of a difference. AFAIK Thomann is about the only major retailer in Europe who’s still restocking Chapman guitars, and word is on the street that Chapman is offering huge discounts to move inventory.
Oh please – those are you opinions and hearsay at best. Failing business? c’mon! I am not a Chapman ‘fan’ as it were but as a lefty, I must admit that this ML2 Jr does pique my interest. I’ve been looking for a P-90 equipped guitar and I just got word from Andertons that Gibson has discontinued their LP DC Jr lefty offerings, and well, I’m out of options on an ‘affordable’ P-90 equipped guitar.
It’s pretty transparent that you’re nothing more than a Chapman shill.
In fact, Thomann has plenty of left-handed options from their very own Harley Benton range, at a fraction of the cost of the Chapmans, at vastly superior quality. Doing a quick search I’m seeing at least 2 left-handed P90-equipped Harley Bentons, plus plenty more with non-P90s.
If there’s one thing that came out of the Chapman fiasco it’s the exposure how much his brand is relying on shills and water-carriers like you who pretend to be just passing by.
Wow, show me where Rob Chapman or the Chapman brand hurt you? take it easy there. I’m definitely not a fan of the brand; mainly because of its fanbase. Generally speaking, I am turned off from the brand because of its rabid fans. But those type of fans are everywhere, including your Harley Benton examples. Every post from HB guitars, I see the same rhetoric “I have played custom shop Gibsons blah blah but my Harley Benton wipes the floor with them” which is complete idiocy that lacks an ounce of perspective. I have no direct experience with Chapman products. At the same time, I am also not a fan of those that just “pile on”and offer their views without actually so much trying out the product and form their own opinion. Regurgitation of heavily biased opinions are just as bad as those rabid fans that protect these brands as if they had a personal stake in each company.
That said, regarding Harley Benton – I have owned a few. They ARE decent guitars for what they are and their price point. Like I said, I was going to buy a Gibson DC Jr Tribute but that’s no longer an option apparently unless I hunt one down via Reverb or eBay and frankly, I don’t have the energy for that. The P-90s equipped guitars that Harley Benton offers for us lefties is not as abundant as you make it out to be. They have the Jazzmaster style guitar which I already have (not a Harley Benton one but a Warmoth Partscaster) so I am in no need to get another JM guitar. Then there’s the Tele-style guitar with the f-holes but I don’t like the looks of it. Plus, I am more interested in a double-cut like the LP DC Jr as I originally wanted. Unfortunately, whoever mixed the paint at the factory screwed up the shade of the so-called TV Yellow DC Jr and I already have a butterscotch blond Tele, so I was in fact waiting for them to release a cherry DC Jr, and luckily they just did with a better finish (Faded cherry like the Gibson) a fatter neck, and a more traditional fingerboard: Ebony. Yes, I have placed my order.
The Chapman did originally pique my interest because it was ‘different’ – unusual colour, pickguard, binding, woods, etc. its only downfall for me was the single-cut so I wasn’t 100% sold and now with Thomman’s offering of the DC Jr, well, no Chapman for me but I separate the internet drama from the products and form my own opinion based on ‘my needs’
I am not sure who is the bigger ‘shill’: the one that defends a brand with no stake in it or the one that raises their pitchfork and torch out of spite, repeating the same talking points that someone else conjured up.
Those axes are SIZE!
I bet it’s riff city with those guitars.
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I tried to purchase one, but thomann’s website says it can’t be delivered to the US…what’s the deal?
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