
The ML1 CAP10 is a unique take on the original Chapman Guitar - the ML1 - designed by our very own Captain Lee Anderton. With a number of performance tweaks and a colour scheme that's guaranteed to turn heads, the CAP10 is a worthy addition to the Chapman line-up!
Lee Anderton on the CAP10:
The first 'proper' guitar I ever owned was a second hand ’86 Fender American Standard Strat that I bought with no pickups and no machine heads - it had been heavily modified to take an HSH configuration of pickups. I still have that guitar and when I first started making videos with Chappers it was my go-to guitar.
When Rob suggested that I design my own Chapman model, I took the basic Chapman ML1 design, changed the fret board, pickups, scratch plate and colour so that it looked a bit more like my Strat. The CAP10 was born and I still have (and use) serial number 1 of that guitar!
Body & Neck
Mahogany is used for the body, known for its tonal richness and versatility. For the CAP10 model, Chapman softened the ML1's subtle contours, resulting in a smooth and ergonomic playing experience.
The neck is Maple with a satin finish. Thanks to the carefully thought-out cutaways and curves, plus the rolled fretboard, this guitar is undoubtedly comfortable to play, regardless of your musical style. The C-shape profile also provides a familiar experience, similar to the classic S-type guitars that the Captain is so fond of.
Hardware & Electronics
As mentioned by Lee, the CAP10 has been altered to take an HSH configuration. In this case, that means 2 x Chapman Stentorian pickups in the bridge & neck positions and a single Chapman Venus Witch single coil in the middle. This configuration, combined with a 5-way switch and coil tap, makes this one of the most versatile instruments Chapman have ever released. Blues, rock, even metal - this thing can handle it.
Other notable appointments include the stunning mottled scratchplate that gives the CAP10 a subtle vintage edge, and a 2-point Wilkinson trem system, designed to allow for maximum expression and vibrato mayhem without compromising tuning!
Specifications:
- Headstock: Straight Heritage Headstock
- Body: Mahogany
- Neck: Maple
- Fretboard: Ebony
- Frets: 22 Jumbo Stainless Steel Frets
- Nut width: 42 mm
- Scale: 25.5" / 648mm
- Wilkinson 2 Point Tremolo System
- Tuners: Chapman Locking (18:1 Gearing)
- Truss rod: Dual action
- Pickups: 2 Chapman Stentorian (bridge and neck) and 1 Chapman Venus Witch Single coil (middle)
- Controls: volume, tone, 5-way blade pickup switch w/ coil split
- Incl. Chapman Pro case