Chapman ML2 DBS | Review

Chapman ML2 DBS

MSRP: (UK) £699 / (US) $769

The ML2 Standard is back! Chapman's take on the iconic single-cut guitar design leaves no stone unturned in its quest for tonal glory—now featuring a modified body shape with a sleek, modern vibe that's designed to offer maximum comfort for improved playability. Fitted with a set of Chapman proprietary Stentorian Zero pickups, a push/pull coil-split tone knob, a rolled-edge Macassar Ebony fingerboard, 24 jumbo frets, and stealthy black hardware—you've got the perfect balance between versatility and attitude! Sam Bell tells us more.

Today I'm reviewing the ML2 DBS from Chapman Guitars. This is a modern metal riffing machine. Rob Chapman most certainly has Metal/Hard Rock influences, and I feel this guitar is a good representation of that passion. Whilst a lot of Chapman guitars work well for metal and hard rock, the guitar I'm looking at in this review (the ML2 DBS) is definitely verging on the specialist instrument category.

Chapman Guitars, in my eyes, has not only become popular due to Rob's popularity but because the guitars speak for themselves. They present a great option for the modern rock/metal musician looking for a well-built, cool-looking guitar with all the features that you'd expect from an upper-range instrument but at an affordable price. Let's dive into the metal machine, which is the ML2 DBS.

This guitar is clearly based on a classic LP design with lots of modern twists, such as contouring, slightly eccentric curves in the body and a unique headstock design. The deep ocean blue finish reminds me of Devin Townsend for some reason…not sure why. When the guitar came out of the box, it was already in Drop D, however, so that may have played a part. The guitar and tuning are perfectly complimented by the Chapman 'Stentorian Zero' Humbuckers—designed as a more contemporary take on PAF-inspired pickup, using Alnico V magnets for hotter output and more "unified" chord sounds. Using the 3-way switch and the tone pots push/pull coil split, we can get very modern progressive clean tones. Something that you might hear on a Periphery record, nice and twangy with plenty of depth.

The neck features 24 frets, and the single cut is ergonomically cut, so you can get your wide interval licks working past the 15th fret. The C Shaped neck is chunky enough, whilst the fingerboard is very flat, perfect for technical riffs and shredding. The neck itself is made from Roasted Maple, and the fingerboard is made from a broody Macassar Ebony. This thing shreds effortlessly and looks great.

It's a simple yet unique take on the classic LP design with a hugely modern twist. This guitar is definitely built for the metal connoisseur and features all the mod cons that you'd expect from a modern metal machine. If you're in the market for something a bit different, or you want to get something that has everything you need out of the box. Check this one out! It breathes fire!

For more information, please visit:

chapmanguitars.com