Tele Quest: Chapman Ml-3 Traditional |
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Tele Quest: Chapman Ml-3 Traditional |
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Mar 25 2015, 08:56 AM |
I am about to pull the trigger on a tele and this was one of the candidates. I think it's a super cool take on a classic tele, and Rob + co. have obviously put some thought into it. It's Korean made and appears solid from the reviews I have read so far. Here in Europe it's € 511 . Some possible points of concern: The bridge pickup, apparently does not have the typical vintage tele brilliance. It does however have a smart stacked noiseless solution, controlled by a push/pull knob. Also the guitar has a bigger/bulkier body than traditional. It does feature so many spot-on features (imo): * super jumbo frets * flat radius (lets shred!) * high fret access with super smooth neck joint * traditional tele bridge (important for the classic tele tone) * I love the combination of swamp ash + maple Yummi! Anyone tried it? This video covers both the "traditional" and "modern" version of this guitar. http://www.chapmanguitars.co.uk/guitars/ml-3-traditional/ |
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Mar 25 2015, 03:00 PM |
As a long time Tele player I'll say this ...
If you want something 'vintage' (ish) that sounds like a Telecaster(?) - you can't do the reverse headstock. It messes with the tone and feel as well as the harmonic content of each string. It's not a bad thing but it is a 'different' thing. *String length behind the nut (or bridge) matters - don't let anyone tell you it doesn't. The chapman vid sounds great - but not really too much like a Telecaster. Sounds more Strat like to me. Also, on your first Tele, don't do a humbucker in the bridge position (neck is cool as it's been a standard replacement since the 60s). The normal Mexican and Japanese Fender Tele pkups are actually pretty good. The 'designed' by Seymour Duncan pkups are not, IMO. If you want 'hotter' in the bridge position go for a SD 'Broadcaster' or Hot Tele STL-2 or Quarter Pounder or Lindy Fralin 'Steel Pole' 42 or 43. Use cloth covered hook-up wire and shield the cavity and under the pick guard. That axe will be relatively quiet even with a decent amount of gain. This post has been edited by klasaine: Mar 25 2015, 03:17 PM -------------------- - Ken Lasaine
https://soundcloud.com/klasaine2/foolin-the-clouds https://soundcloud.com/klasaine2/surfin-at-the-country-hop Soundcloud assorted ... https://soundcloud.com/klasaine3 New record ... http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/kenlasaine Solo Guitar ... https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXZh...5iIdO2tpgtj25Ke Stuff I'm on ... https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXZh...b-dhb-4B0KgRY-d |
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Mar 25 2015, 04:18 PM |
As a long time Tele player I'll say this ... Ken, what's your opinion on the american special tele vs the standard, both look and sound great but there must be a reason for the £400 difference ( over here ). Ive kinda got my eye on the special but tbh Im in two minds whether to hang on and get the standard. sorry for the thread hijack -------------------- You say 'minor pentatonic ' like it's a bad thing |
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Mar 25 2015, 04:46 PM |
Ken, what's your opinion on the american special tele vs the standard, both look and sound great but there must be a reason for the £400 difference ( over here ). Ive kinda got my eye on the special but tbh Im in two minds whether to hang on and get the standard. sorry for the thread hijack In the states the 'list' price is $300.00 (£200) different. The 'special' has a gig bag. The standard has a hard shell case (that accounts for about $100). Standard - 6 saddle bridge, Special - trad 3 saddle (my preference). They both have faux 'custom shop' pkups. Faux as in originally designed by the custom shop but now in normal production. The standard has a broadcaster in the bridge and a twisted tele in the neck (both slightly more expensive). The special has texas specials. Neck profiles are different on both as are some of the body contours. They also both have slightly different electronics. *I can't get any info on the actual body wood - which is a big deal for me. I prefer ash over alder. Apples and oranges if you ask me. I'm sure both are good quality instruments. The 'special' IMO is more of a modern styled and feeling instrument. The 'standard' has the traditional neck profile and very little body contour. This post has been edited by klasaine: Mar 25 2015, 05:41 PM -------------------- - Ken Lasaine
https://soundcloud.com/klasaine2/foolin-the-clouds https://soundcloud.com/klasaine2/surfin-at-the-country-hop Soundcloud assorted ... https://soundcloud.com/klasaine3 New record ... http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/kenlasaine Solo Guitar ... https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXZh...5iIdO2tpgtj25Ke Stuff I'm on ... https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXZh...b-dhb-4B0KgRY-d |
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Mar 25 2015, 06:34 PM |
In the states the 'list' price is $300.00 (£200) different. The 'special' has a gig bag. The standard has a hard shell case (that accounts for about $100). Standard - 6 saddle bridge, Special - trad 3 saddle (my preference). They both have faux 'custom shop' pkups. Faux as in originally designed by the custom shop but now in normal production. The standard has a broadcaster in the bridge and a twisted tele in the neck (both slightly more expensive). The special has texas specials. Neck profiles are different on both as are some of the body contours. They also both have slightly different electronics. *I can't get any info on the actual body wood - which is a big deal for me. I prefer ash over alder. Apples and oranges if you ask me. I'm sure both are good quality instruments. The 'special' IMO is more of a modern styled and feeling instrument. The 'standard' has the traditional neck profile and very little body contour. thanks Ken it is annoying that the listings dont always state what the body material is on those standards. The special is definatley alder but the standards can be either. I think its probably going to be alder unless it states ash specifically. I do like the special, it crossed my mind that they might be just cheap versions of a 'proper' tele and I would regret not throwing in the extra cash. But if it's almost like a les paul studio to a LP standard kinda thing Im fine with that. I dont need the hard case and I actually prefer the thinner not so shiny finish that the special has. it sounds stunning in this vid but obviously the dude playing it is really good, I wouldnt get it singing quite as sweet! -------------------- You say 'minor pentatonic ' like it's a bad thing |
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Mar 25 2015, 10:46 PM |
Question - are there any complication with installing strat pickups in a tele? Depends on the model. Traditionally a Strat neck pkup is slightly wider than a Tele pkup. You 'may' need to cut the pickguard but the body rout will be fine. A Fender twisted tele neck pkup is a basically a strat neck pickup. Again, 'I' wouldn't do it but a lot of guys do. A good Tele neck pkup is a thing of beauty. Some type of 'bucker or even a p-90 is great option for the neck position. -------------------- - Ken Lasaine
https://soundcloud.com/klasaine2/foolin-the-clouds https://soundcloud.com/klasaine2/surfin-at-the-country-hop Soundcloud assorted ... https://soundcloud.com/klasaine3 New record ... http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/kenlasaine Solo Guitar ... https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXZh...5iIdO2tpgtj25Ke Stuff I'm on ... https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXZh...b-dhb-4B0KgRY-d |
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Mar 26 2015, 02:26 PM |
A Tele should snap and be a little 'bright' if it's to sound like a Telecaster.
If you still want Telecaster tone but with slightly rolled off high end just get some slightly over wound tele pkups. *They're not the most comfortable guitars to play. Strats are far more ergonomic (and one of the reasons the Strat even came into being). So if it's not Telecaster tone one's looking for - don't get a Telecaster. -------------------- - Ken Lasaine
https://soundcloud.com/klasaine2/foolin-the-clouds https://soundcloud.com/klasaine2/surfin-at-the-country-hop Soundcloud assorted ... https://soundcloud.com/klasaine3 New record ... http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/kenlasaine Solo Guitar ... https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXZh...5iIdO2tpgtj25Ke Stuff I'm on ... https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXZh...b-dhb-4B0KgRY-d |
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Mar 31 2015, 09:08 AM |
I've got a set of Fender Tele pickups from my US Std '89 if you ever need them Kris. My Tele has Bare Knuckle Piledrivers in it now and they aren't going anywhere
-------------------- My SoundCloud
Gear Tyler Burning Water 2K Burny RLG90 with BK Emeralds Fender US Tele with BK Piledrivers Epiphone 335 with Suhr Thornbuckers PRS SE Custom 24-08 Ax8 Fessenden SD10 PSG Quilter TT15 |
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Mar 31 2015, 10:32 PM |
Hehe wow thanks Posterboy, I will give you a shout if I need them!
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