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Chapman ML3 Pro Modern
ESP LTD SN-1000 Evertune
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Playability
82
Sound
77
Build
79
Value
79
Score
79
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Playability
73
Sound
85
Build
75
Value
78
Score
78
FIND IT ON:
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Chapman ML3 Pro Modern vs LTD SN-1000 Evertune

Reasons to Get
Chapman ML3 Pro Modern over LTD SN-1000 Evertune

Neck Profile
C Shape vs Thin U
Comfortable neck that works for most people
Neck Joint
Neck-Through vs Bolt-On
Stronger neck and easier access to upper frets
Pickups
HH vs HSS
High output without hum
Number of Frets
24 vs 22
Allows to reach higher notes
Locking Tuners
Yes vs None
Easier to change strings
Neck Thickness at 1st Fret
0.905'' (23mm) vs 0.787'' (20mm)
More comfortable open chords for big hands
Neck Thickness at 12th Fret
0.944'' (24mm) vs 0.866'' (22mm)
More comfortable at higher frets for big hands
Luminescent Sidedots
Yes vs None
Assists you when playing in dark environments
Strap Lock
Yes vs None
Protects your guitar from dropping by locking the strap
Bridge
Fixed vs Evertune
Good sustain and needs no set-up
Value Score
79 vs 78
Better price/quality relationship

Reasons to Get
ESP LTD SN-1000 Evertune over Chapman ML3 Pro Modern

Release Year
2022 vs 2021
From a more recent year
Frets Height
Taller vs Shorter
Easier to press down strings and bend them
Compound Radius
12" to 16" vs 13.78"
Balanced playability for chords and single-notes
Neck Profile
Thin U vs C Shape
Comfortable neck with more grip
Pickup Mods
Coil Split vs None
Splits humbuckers into single coil pickups
Pickups
HSS vs HH
High output with beautiful cleans and tone versatility
Neck Thickness at 1st Fret
0.787'' (20mm) vs 0.905'' (23mm)
More comfortable open chords for small hands
Neck Thickness at 12th Fret
0.866'' (22mm) vs 0.944'' (24mm)
More comfortable at higher frets for small hands
Bridge
Evertune vs Fixed
Fixed bridge that will keep the guitar in tune forever

Other Key Differences
Chapman ML3 Pro Modern vs LTD SN-1000 Evertune

Neck Pickup
Seymour Duncan Sentient vs Seymour Duncan Hot Strat
Different Neck Pickup
Body Wood
Basswood vs Alder
Different Body Wood
Fretboard Wood
Roasted Maple vs Ebony
Different Fretboard Wood
Headstock
R6 vs 6
Different Headstock
Nut Material
Black Tusq XL vs Bone
Different Nut Material

Shared Features
Chapman ML3 Pro Modern vs LTD SN-1000 Evertune

Bridge Pickup
Seymour Duncan Pegasus
Same Bridge Pickup
Neck Wood
Roasted Maple
Same Neck Wood
Strings
6
Same playing style
Body Type
Solid Body
Feedback free
Switch Positions
5
Same pickups versatility
Volume Knobs
1
Same volume control
Tone Knobs
1
Same tone control
Nut Width
1.654'' (42mm)
Same string separation at the nut
Paint Finish
Poly
Resistant paint that ages well
Scale Length
25.5'' (647.7mm)
Same string tension and fret separation
Pickups Power
Passive
Cleaner sound and no battery needed
Type of Frets
Jumbo vs XL Jumbo
You won't feel the fretboard when pressing down the strings

Common Strengths

  • High-Quality Nut
  • High-Quality Frets
  • Top Pickup Brand

Common Weaknesses

  • Weight Relief
  • From a High-Quality-Standards Country
  • 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • Active/Passive Preamp

Table of Contents

Price History Comparison

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Which One is Better Overall?

After going through our comparison algorithm, the results show that the Chapman ML3 Pro Modern is probably the better product overall with its final score of 79 compared to the ESP LTD SN-1000 Evertune's 78 score, although not by a lot.

The Chapman ML3 Pro Modern wins when it comes to playability, build quality, value for the money. On the other hand, the ESP LTD SN-1000 Evertune has the upper hand when it comes to sound.

If you got small hands, none of these instruments will make a big difference when it comes to comfortability.

Which One is Better for Beginners?

If you're looking for your first guitar to learn how to play, the Chapman ML3 Pro Modern is the better choice.

The Chapman ML3 Pro Modern meets 6 out of our 8 criteria items for beginner friendliness, while the ESP LTD SN-1000 Evertune meets only 5. This takes into account the type of frets, scale length, nut width, bridge type, fretboard radius, and neck profile to determine the easiest combination for new players.

New Player Friendliness

Chapman ML3 Pro Modern
  • Comfortable shape
  • Easy-to-use bridge
  • Locking tuners
  • Tall frets
  • Narrow nut
  • Comfortable neck
  • Comfortable fretboard
  • Short scale

New Player Friendliness

ESP LTD SN-1000 Evertune
  • Comfortable shape
  • Comfortable fretboard
  • Tall frets
  • Narrow nut
  • Comfortable neck
  • Short scale
  • Locking tuners
  • Easy-to-use bridge

Nevertheless, when it comes to choosing an instrument, you should pick the one more compatible with your personal style. Still, below we'll try you to give you our results as objectively as it's possible to help you decide.

Chapman ML3 Pro Modern Overview

  • From Chapman's 2021 Pro series
  • Made in South Korea
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 13.78" Fretboard Radius
  • Basswood body
  • Roasted Maple – Dark Colour neck
  • Roasted Maple – Dark Colour fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Seymour Duncan Pegasus (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Seymour Duncan Sentient (Humbucker/Passive)
  • 1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
  • 5-way Switch
  • Chapman String Through hardtail bridge
  • C Shape Neck-Through neck
  • 24 Jumbo Stainless Steel frets
  • Hipshot Grip-Lock Open (18:1 Gearing) tuners
  • Compare Specs >

ESP LTD SN-1000 Evertune Overview

  • From ESP LTD's 2022 SN series
  • Made in Indonesia
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 12" to 16" Fretboard Radius
  • Alder body
  • Roasted Maple neck
  • Macassar Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Seymour Duncan Pegasus (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Middle pickup: Seymour Duncan Hot Strat (Single Coil/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Seymour Duncan Hot Strat (Single Coil/Passive)
  • 1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
  • 5-way Switch
  • Evertune (F model) bridge
  • Thin U Bolt-On neck
  • 22 XL Jumbo Stainless Steel frets
  • Grover tuners
  • Compare Specs >

Sound Quality Comparison

The wood used in an electric guitar or bass is not as important to determine the final tone. However, some people prefer specific wood types, so we'll take a look at those first. Then, we'll take a look at the electronics to determine the versatility and sound quality of each instrument.

Woods Used in Both

Roasted Maple wood pattern used for guitar building
Roasted Maple

Roasted Maple is just maple without a finish. It's technically cheaper than regular maple, but it doesn't have any extra disadvantages because of this. The color is darker, and it's lighter weight and very stable even when there's a lot of humidity.

Woods Used in the Chapman ML3 Pro Modern

Basswood wood pattern used for guitar building
Basswood

Basswood is a lightweight type of wood that isn't as expensive as other popular choices for guitar building. It gives more power to the mid-range frequencies. Its color can vary from pale white to light brown. Find out more about Basswood.

Woods Used in the ESP LTD SN-1000 Evertune

Ebony wood pattern used for guitar building
Ebony
Alder wood pattern used for guitar building
Alder

Ebony is a high-end wood, so it is not cheap. It's only used for fretboards because it's also very heavy. It does an excellent job as a durable material while looking elegant. Find out more about Ebony.

Alder is the most popular wood that Fender uses in most of their guitars nowadays. Even though they say it's because of its balanced tone with an emphasis in the upper midrange, it probably is because it isn't too expensive, and it's also pretty lightweight—more than Mahogany. Find out more about Alder.

Winner: ESP LTD SN-1000 Evertune.

Pickup Configuration

The Chapman ML3 Pro Modern has an HH configuration while the ESP LTD SN-1000 Evertune has HSS pickups.

Double Humbucker (HH) is the choice for people who want a fuller, more round sound with tons of mids and lows. Humbuckers also get rid of the hum noise that plague single-coil pickups. They can work out for almost any genre going from Djent to even Jazz.

On the other hand, HSS provides a great balance if you like to play with a lot of distortion, but also love to use clean tones. You'll get a lot of output at the bridge position, but you'll be able to play bright clean tones at the other positions.

Pickups Quality

Both come with very good pickups from at least one of the specialized brands in the market. With pickups like these, you probably won't need an upgrade anytime soon.

However, the ESP LTD SN-1000 Evertune has a slight sound quality advantage when taking into account other factors like the type of pickups, magnet, position, etc.

You can purchase similar pickups to the Chapman ML3 Pro Modern's and use them on any guitar:

We found the same or similar pickups to the ESP LTD SN-1000 Evertune's online:

Both use Passive pickups. This is what's used for most music genres. They have a regular output and will serve you for both high-gain and clean tones. The alternative (Active pickups) offer a higher output that is mostly used for heavy music.

Winner: ESP LTD SN-1000 Evertune.

Versatility Comparison

Some instruments offer you more ways to explore your creativity than others. Below you'll find how both compare when it comes to versatility.

Switch Options

Both are equal when it comes to the pickup switching option.

Only the ESP LTD SN-1000 Evertune comes with some kind of pickup modification: Coil Split.

Coil Split lets you disconnect one of the pickup coils. When used with humbuckers, it turns them into single-coil with lower output and cleaner tone.

Chapman ML3 Pro Modern pickups switch selector and push knobs diagram
Chapman ML3 Pro Modern's switch options
ESP LTD SN-1000 Evertune pickups switch selector and push knobs diagram
ESP LTD SN-1000 Evertune's switch options

When evaluating versatility, we also take into consideration bridge and neck joint type, number of frets, switch options, amount of pickups and more.

Winner: ESP LTD SN-1000 Evertune.

Final Sound Quality Scores

Chapman ML3 Pro Modern
Pickups 85
Sustain 85
Versatility 57
Tuning Stability 80
Sound 77
ESP LTD SN-1000 Evertune
Pickups 90
Sustain 80
Versatility 70
Tuning Stability 100
Sound 85

Build Quality Comparison

When it comes to build quality, we like to take into account everything used to build the instrument. This includes materials, hardware and the quality control expected depending on the country where it was built. Let's see how the Chapman ML3 Pro Modern compares to the ESP LTD SN-1000 Evertune.

Country of Origin

The manufacturing country can tell a lot about the build quality of an instrument. The Chapman ML3 Pro Modern is built in South Korea while the ESP LTD SN-1000 Evertune is made in Indonesia.

South Korea was for many years the number one choice for mass-producing semi-premium guitars. They can build excellent guitars for a cheap price. Now, it's less common to find Korean guitars because Indonesia has proved capable of building guitars just as well, but likely for cheaper.

Indonesia is becoming the most popular country for guitar building because they can make good instruments for a low price. Some people think that they're 'the new China' when it comes to build quality. But the truth is that Indonesian guitars are more consistent, although Chinese quality has improved a lot in the last few years.

Winner: Tie

Nut Material

If you want your guitar to stay in tune and sound good, you need a well cut nut. Nut quality can be inconsistent even when comparing two copies of the same model. The best way to make sure you're nut will be well done is by getting a nut made by an expert company like TUSQ or Micarta.

The Chapman ML3 Pro Modern has a Black Tusq XL nut. TUSQ nuts are usually the highest quality you can get. Black TUSQs are made from a special slippery material that helps the strings get back to its original position (one of the keys to tune stability).

On the other hand, the ESP LTD SN-1000 Evertune comes with a Bone nut. It's a type of nut found in high-quality instruments. They sound similar to Ivory since they give a lot of sustain and a bright sound (at least when striking open strings). The only problem they can run into is that you may get a bone piece that simply doesn't sound as well as others because that's just how natural materials are.

Winner: Tie.

Fret Material

Most fret wire is made of nickel silver. This material eventually wears down after a lot of use and most instruments end up needing a complete fret replacement. However, some expensive models come with stainless steel frets. This is what you should aim for if you can afford it.

Both in this comparison come with stainless steel frets. These frets will basically last for the entire life of the guitar. They will never need polishing nor replacement. And not only that, but some people also notice that bending and vibratos are much easier to perform when they upgrade to stainless steel.

Winner: Tie.

Bridge

The perfect bridge for you will depend on your playstyle because they all have advantages and disadvantages. However, some bridges are more expensive—like Floyd Roses and Evertunes—and thus add more value to a guitar.

The Chapman ML3 Pro Modern's brige is a Fixed. It's a simple bridge that is very beginner-friendly since it doesn't require any set-up. You can swap strings easily. It might also give more sustain since it doesn't have complex moving parts that make the strings lose vibration. However, it doesn't have the same versatility as a tremolo bridge.

On the other hand, the ESP LTD SN-1000 Evertune's is a Evertune. It will keep your guitar in tune and intonated until the next string swap. If you really like extremely subtle vibratos, this might not be the bridge for you because you won't be able to perform them as well. However, the fact that you won't need to tune your guitar is a huge advantage that many people will gladly pay the extra price for.

Since we need to be objective, the most expensive type of bridge will be the winner of this section. In the end, this doesn't matter if you're not going to use the bridge for its original purpose, so choose the bridge that fits your playing style better.

Winner: ESP LTD SN-1000 Evertune.

Tuners

The Chapman ML3 Pro Modern has the best tuners of the two because they are locking tuners. They'll help to keep your guitar in tune because they allow you to tune it without wrapping the strings around the posts. This avoids variations in the tuning due to the strings changing position at the post after a bend. They come at the disadvantage of being slightly heavier than regular tuners. Also, it makes it a lot easier to restring.

Winner: Chapman ML3 Pro Modern.

Neck Joint

Contrary to popular belief, the difference in sustain and tone that some neck joints give to a guitar is simply unperceivable—if they're all well built. However, some of them do have advantages over the others.

The Chapman ML3 Pro Modern has a Neck-Through neck joint. This neck is a lot more resistant and lets builders give the neck joint a more comfortable shape for soloing at the upper frets. The disadvantage is that they're more expensive and that if you damage your neck, you can't simply replace it like with bolt-on necks.

On the other hand, the ESP LTD SN-1000 Evertune comes with Bolt-On neck joint. This neck is joined to the body by 4 bolts that you can simply unscrew. This allows you to replace the neck or take it off for travel. It's the most common and cheapest way to build a guitar.

Winner: Chapman ML3 Pro Modern.

Here is the list of features that were considered when choosing the winner in the Features subcategory:

Strengths & Weaknesses
Chapman ML3 Pro Modern
  • Stainless Steel Frets
  • Locking Tuners
  • Black Tusq XL Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Neck-Through Build
  • Luminescent Inlay
  • Strap Lock
  • Made in South Korea
  • No Expensive Woods
  • No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Tremolo
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
Strengths & Weaknesses
ESP LTD SN-1000 Evertune
  • Stainless Steel Frets
  • Expensive Wood
  • Bone Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Coil Split Pickups
  • Stays in Tune (Evertune)
  • Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No Locking Tuners
  • Made in Indonesia
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Luminescent Inlay
  • No Tremolo
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

Final Build Quality Scores

Chapman ML3 Pro Modern
Quality of materials 81
Features 80
Quality Control 75
Build Quality 79
ESP LTD SN-1000 Evertune
Quality of materials 86
Features 65
Quality Control 75
Build Quality 75

Playability Comparison

Let's now compare their playability. Bear in mind that the instrument will feel different depending on your hand size and play style. That's why you should always test before buying. But if you can't or want a second opinion on it, we can still take a look at each of the important measurements of the instrument for you. This way, we can predict how easy a guitar might be to play, or how different it will feel compared to the other.

Remember that, even though the difference might seem small, every inch counts when it comes to feeling of the instrument in your hands. Any variation can completely change how comfortable a guitar feels in your hands.

Nut Width

Chapman ML3 Pro Modern Nut Width
Both Guitars Have The Same Nut Width

The nut width will affect the separation between strings at the nut. In this comparison, both have a nut width of 42mm (1.654'').

This is considered a narrow width for a 6-string guitar. This means that this guitar will have a narrower string separation at the nut, which will affect your fretting hand.

If you are a player with big hands, you might find it difficult to play chords without muting strings. However, this is good for players who have smaller hands, as it will allow them to reach each string more easily at the nut.

Scale Length

Chapman ML3 Pro Modern and ESP LTD SN-1000 Evertune's Scale Length
Both have the same scale length

The scale length is one of the things that influences playability the most. This is the distance between the nut and the bridge and will affect everything from low action allowance, difficulty to perform bends, fret separation, and even tone.

In this case, both have a scale length of 25.5".

This is the scale used in most Stratocasters. It's slightly longer than the typical 24.75'' size found in Les Pauls, and it's one of the main reasons why Stratocasters have such a bright sound in general. A longer scale also means that the strings will have higher tension. This will help you get lower action without suffering fret buzz, which will also be helpful when playing in lower tunings without having to increase your string gauge.

However, this also means that there will be more separation between frets, which can make it more difficult to play. Also, bending the strings will require more strengths due to the increased tension, but remember that a tremolo guitar will offset this difficulty.

Lastly, remember that you can also affect the tension of the strings by changing your string gauge. You can use a thicker gauge for more tension and a lighter one for less tension.

Neck Profile

Chapman ML3 Pro Modern Neck Profile
Chapman ML3 Pro Modern's neck profile
ESP LTD SN-1000 Evertune Neck Profile
ESP LTD SN-1000 Evertune's neck profile

No single neck shape is better than others. However, most people tend to prefer a thinner necks because it doesn't get in their way when playing fast and most hand sizes can adapt to it pretty well. However, some people still prefer thicker necks for a better grip, especially if they have big hands.

In this case, both have different neck shapes:

The Chapman ML3 Pro Modern has a C type of neck. This is what you'll find in most modern guitars. Most people feel like the thickness of a C neck is simply the less intrusive one for playing fast, while at the same time allowing you to grab the neck easily for resting if you want to.

The ESP LTD SN-1000 Evertune, on the other hand, has a U neck. This is also referred to as ''baseball neck'' because of its shape. It's usually thick, which is why some people with big hands like it. However, they can also be thin, similar to a C shape, but with more shoulders for a better grip.

Fretboard Radius

Chapman ML3 Pro Modern Fingerboard Radius
Chapman ML3 Pro Modern's Fingerboard radius
ESP LTD SN-1000 Evertune Fretboard Compound Radius
ESP LTD SN-1000 Evertune's Compound Fretboard Radius

Most guitar fretboards are not flat; they usually have a curve or arc across their width. A curved fretboard will make it easier to perform chords without muting strings, while a flatter one will make it easier to play single notes, which is good for bending and soloing in general. The best fretboards have a compound radius that varies across the fingerboard, but they're not common since they take a lot more work to build.

In this case, the ESP LTD SN-1000 Evertune is the only one with a compound radius. This is a huge win because it will give you the best of both worlds: a more curved radius in the first few frets for chords, and flatter as you come closer to the body for soloing.

Hand Size Comfortability

Everyone has a different hand size, and that's why it's recommended to try a guitar before buying, even if others tell you that it's comfortable to play. However, we can know whether a guitar favors small or large hands just by knowing its exact measurements.

After taking into account the scale length, nut width, neck profile and fretboard radius, we can conclude that both in this comparison favor small hands .

Chapman ML3 Pro Modern:
Big Hands
Small Hands
ESP LTD SN-1000 Evertune:
Big Hands
Small Hands

Fret Size

Chapman ML3 Pro Modern Frets Size
Chapman ML3 Pro Modern's Frets Size
ESP LTD SN-1000 Evertune Frets Size
ESP LTD SN-1000 Evertune's Frets Size

The ESP LTD SN-1000 Evertune has XL Jumbo frets, which should be taller than the Chapman ML3 Pro Modern's Jumbo frets.

Some people prefer taller frets because they result in more sustain since the strings get pressed cleanly without interference from the fretboard. However, if they're too tall—like Jumbo frets—, you might change the pitch of the strings accidentally if you press too hard because you won't be touching the fretboard with your fingers. This is also why some guitarists with a heavy grip prefer smaller frets. They like to feel the fingerboard to avoid pressing down too hard and getting out of pitch.

Final Playability Scores

Chapman ML3 Pro Modern
Bending & Vibrato Ease 85
Chord Playability 60
Solo Playability 100
Playability 82
ESP LTD SN-1000 Evertune
Bending & Vibrato Ease 70
Chord Playability 80
Solo Playability 70
Playability 73

Specs Side-by-Side

Chapman ML3 Pro Modern vs LTD SN-1000 Evertune
General Chapman ML3 Pro Modern LTD SN-1000 Evertune
Brand: Chapman ESP LTD
Year: 2021 2022
Configuration: HH HSS
Strings: 6 6
Made in: South Korea Indonesia
Series: Pro SN
Colors: White, Black, Blue Black
Left-Handed Version: Yes No
Body
Type: Solid Body Solid Body
Body Material: Basswood Alder
Bridge: Chapman String Through hardtail Evertune (F model)
Neck
Neck Joint: Neck-Through Bolt-On
Tuners: Hipshot Grip-Lock Open (18:1 Gearing) Grover
Fretboard: Roasted Maple – Dark Colour Macassar Ebony
Neck Material: Roasted Maple – Dark Colour Roasted Maple
Decoration: Glow-in-the-Dark Side Dots with Black Infinity Dots
Scale Size: 25.5" 25.5"
Shape: C Shape Thin U
Thickness: 1st Fret: 0.905'' (23mm) - 12th Fret: 0.944'' (24mm) 1st Fret: 0.787'' (20mm) - 12th Fret: 0.866'' (22mm)
Frets: 24 Jumbo Stainless Steel 22 XL Jumbo Stainless Steel
Fretboard Radius: 13.78" 12" to 16"
Nut: Black Tusq XL Bone
Nut Width: 42mm (1.654'') 42mm (1.654'')
Electronics
Bridge Pickup: Seymour Duncan Pegasus (Humbucker / Passive) Seymour Duncan Pegasus (Humbucker / Passive)
Middle Pickup: Seymour Duncan Hot Strat (Single Coil / Passive)
Neck Pickup: Seymour Duncan Sentient (Humbucker / Passive) Seymour Duncan Hot Strat (Single Coil / Passive)
Switch: 5 Way 5 Way
Knobs: Dome Dome
Pickup Mods: None Coil Split
Volume Controls: 1 1
Tone Controls: 1 1