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Chapman ML3 Pro Traditional
Schecter PT SLS Evil Twin
VS
Playability
73
Sound
77
Build
74
Value
80
Score
75
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Playability
82
Sound
77
Build
80
Value
80
Score
80
FIND IT ON:
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Chapman ML3 Pro Traditional vs Schecter PT SLS Evil Twin

Reasons to Get
Chapman ML3 Pro Traditional over Schecter PT SLS Evil Twin

Release Year
2021 vs 2018
From a more recent year
Pickups
SS vs HH
Beautiful cleans
Neck Thickness at 1st Fret
0.905'' (23mm) vs 0.748'' (19mm)
More comfortable open chords for big hands
Neck Thickness at 12th Fret
0.944'' (24mm) vs 0.787'' (20mm)
More comfortable at higher frets for big hands
Strap Lock
Yes vs None
Protects your guitar from dropping by locking the strap
Pickups Power
Passive vs Active
Cleaner sound and no battery needed

Reasons to Get
Schecter PT SLS Evil Twin over Chapman ML3 Pro Traditional

Frets Height
Taller vs Shorter
Easier to press down strings and bend them
Compound Radius
12" to 16" vs 10"
Balanced playability for chords and single-notes
Pickup Mods
Multi-Voicing vs None
Changes the voice (tones or gain) of the pickups
Neck Joint
Neck-Through vs Bolt-On
Stronger neck and easier access to upper frets
Pickups
HH vs SS
High output without hum
Number of Frets
24 vs 22
Allows to reach higher notes
Neck Thickness at 1st Fret
0.748'' (19mm) vs 0.905'' (23mm)
More comfortable open chords for small hands
Neck Thickness at 12th Fret
0.787'' (20mm) vs 0.944'' (24mm)
More comfortable at higher frets for small hands
Pickups Power
Active vs Passive
More output

Other Key Differences
Chapman ML3 Pro Traditional vs Schecter PT SLS Evil Twin

Bridge Pickup
Seymour Duncan Hot Tele vs Fishman Fluence Modern Ceramic
Different Bridge Pickup
Neck Pickup
Seymour Duncan Hot Tele vs Fishman Fluence Modern Alnico
Different Neck Pickup
Body Wood
Alder vs Ash
Different Body Wood
Neck Wood
Roasted Maple vs Maple
Different Neck Wood
Fretboard Wood
Roasted Maple vs Ebony
Different Fretboard Wood
Headstock
R6 vs 6
Different Headstock
Nut Material
Ivory Tusq vs Compensated
Different Nut Material

Shared Features
Chapman ML3 Pro Traditional vs Schecter PT SLS Evil Twin

Strings
6
Same playing style
Body Type
Solid Body
Feedback free
Switch Positions
3
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
Bridge
Fixed
Good sustain and needs no set-up
Scale Length
25.5'' (647.7mm)
Same string tension and fret separation
Neck Profile Type
C
Comfortable neck that works for most people
Type of Frets
Jumbo vs XL Jumbo
You won't feel the fretboard when pressing down the strings

Common Strengths

  • Locking Tuners
  • High-Quality Nut
  • High-Quality Frets
  • Luminescent Sidedots
  • Top Pickup Brand

Common Weaknesses

  • Weight Relief
  • Stays in Tune (Evertune)
  • From a High-Quality-Standards Country
  • 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • Active/Passive Preamp

Table of Contents

Price History Comparison

Chapman ML3 Pro Traditional Prices

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Which One is Better Overall?

After going through our comparison algorithm, the results show that the Schecter PT SLS Evil Twin is probably the better product overall with its final score of 80 compared to the Chapman ML3 Pro Traditional's 75 score, although not by a lot.

The Schecter PT SLS Evil Twin wins when it comes to playability, build quality. On the other hand, the Chapman ML3 Pro Traditional has the upper hand when it comes to.

If you got small hands, you'll probably feel more comfortable playing the Schecter PT SLS Evil Twin.

Which One is Better for Beginners?

If you're looking for your first guitar to learn how to play, the Schecter PT SLS Evil Twin is the better choice.

The Schecter PT SLS Evil Twin meets 7 out of our 8 criteria items for beginner friendliness, while the Chapman ML3 Pro Traditional meets only 6. 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 Traditional
  • Comfortable shape
  • Easy-to-use bridge
  • Locking tuners
  • Tall frets
  • Narrow nut
  • Comfortable neck
  • Comfortable fretboard
  • Short scale

New Player Friendliness

Schecter PT SLS Evil Twin
  • Comfortable shape
  • Easy-to-use bridge
  • Locking tuners
  • Comfortable fretboard
  • Tall frets
  • Narrow nut
  • Comfortable neck
  • Short scale

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 Traditional Overview

  • From Chapman's 2021 Pro series
  • Made in South Korea
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 10" Fretboard Radius
  • Alder body
  • Roasted Maple – Dark Colour neck
  • Roasted Maple – Dark Colour fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Seymour Duncan Hot Tele (Single Coil/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Seymour Duncan Hot Tele (Single Coil/Passive)
  • 1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Chapman String-Through Tele-Style with Brass Saddles bridge
  • C Shape Bolt-On neck
  • 22 Jumbo Stainless Steel frets
  • Hipshot Grip-Lock Open (18:1 Gearing) tuners
  • Compare Specs >

Schecter PT SLS Evil Twin Overview

  • From Schecter's 2018 SLS Elite series
  • Made in South Korea
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 12" to 16" Fretboard Radius
  • Swamp Ash body
  • Maple/Walnut/Padauk Multi-ply w/ Carbon Fiber Reinforcement Rods neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Fishman Fluence Modern Ceramic (Humbucker/Active)
  • Neck pickup: Fishman Fluence Modern Alnico (Humbucker/Active)
  • 1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Hipshot Hardtail (.125) w/ String Thru Body bridge
  • Ultra Thin C Neck-Through neck
  • 24 XL Jumbo Stainless Steel frets
  • Schecter Locking 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 the Chapman ML3 Pro Traditional

Roasted Maple wood pattern used for guitar building
Roasted Maple
Alder wood pattern used for guitar building
Alder

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.

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.

Woods Used in the Schecter PT SLS Evil Twin

Maple wood pattern used for guitar building
Maple
Ebony wood pattern used for guitar building
Ebony
Ash wood pattern used for guitar building
Ash

Maple is one of the most popular necks for good reasons. It is a strong wood that is relatively cheap to make and looks beautiful. The highest quality maple is the hardest that comes from North America. Find out more about Maple.

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.

Ash is a type of wood that Fender used almost exclusively in the 50s, and it's still used by many brands. It's a dense wood with a light color that works well for a transparent, natural finish because of its beautiful patterns. In terms of sound, it's known for emphasizing the mid and high frequencies, but with strong low end. Find out more about Ash.

Winner: Schecter PT SLS Evil Twin.

Pickup Configuration

The Chapman ML3 Pro Traditional has an SS configuration while the Schecter PT SLS Evil Twin has HH pickups.

SS is the classic Telecaster configuration. It's used mainly for playing clean or with low-gain distortion, and it's very popular for the country genre because of their brightness. It doesn't give you as much versatility as a Strat SSS configuration, but you might like the cleaner look of a guitar body with fewer pickups.

On the other hand, 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.

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 Chapman ML3 Pro Traditional 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 Traditional's and use them on any guitar:

We found the same or similar pickups to the Schecter PT SLS Evil Twin's online:

The Chapman ML3 Pro Traditional's pickups are Passive while the Schecter PT SLS Evil Twin's are Active.

Passive pickups are what most guitars use. These have a normal output that works well for most genres. However, Active pickups are the preferred choice of heavy metal players because they offer extra output thanks to their 9v battery, which results in a heavier, more distorted sound. Bear in mind that achieving a completely clean tone with them won't be easy. So if you want to also use clean tones, you might want to avoid Active pickups.

Winner: Chapman ML3 Pro Traditional.

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 Schecter PT SLS Evil Twin comes with some kind of pickup modification: Multi-Voicing.

Multi-Voicing means the pickups come with multiple ''voices'', which means they can change the tone and gain by a simple switch or knob. Piezo, Fishman and similar are considered multi-voicing pickups.

Chapman ML3 Pro Traditional pickups switch and push knobs diagram
Chapman ML3 Pro Traditional's switch options
Schecter PT SLS Evil Twin pickups switch and push knobs diagram
Schecter PT SLS Evil Twin'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: Schecter PT SLS Evil Twin.

Final Sound Quality Scores

Chapman ML3 Pro Traditional
Pickups 100
Sustain 75
Versatility 54
Tuning Stability 80
Sound 77
Schecter PT SLS Evil Twin
Pickups 85
Sustain 85
Versatility 59
Tuning Stability 80
Sound 77

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 Traditional compares to the Schecter PT SLS Evil Twin.

Country of Origin

The manufacturing country can tell a lot about the build quality of an instrument. Both in this comparison where made in South Korea.

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.

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 Traditional has a Ivory Tusq nut. Ivory used to be considered the best material for guitar nuts due to its beauty, durability, and the rich harmonics and sustain you could get from a guitar with it. However, the way to obtain it is simply unethical. Enter TUSQ ivory nuts, which are made synthetically to imitate ivory. Technically, it's better than ivory because it is consistent piece-to-piece, while natural materials can vary a lot, even if they're made from the same.

On the other hand, the Schecter PT SLS Evil Twin comes with a Compensated nut. Each hole where the string sits at the nut is cut at a different distance from the bridge, which compensates for the different amount of tension that each string is subject to. This fixes most intonation issues across the fretboard, so it gives great tuning stability.

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.

Both come with a similar bridge: 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.

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: Tie.

Tuners

They both have 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: Tie.

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 Traditional has a 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.

On the other hand, the Schecter PT SLS Evil Twin comes with 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.

Winner: Schecter PT SLS Evil Twin.

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

Strengths & Weaknesses
Chapman ML3 Pro Traditional
  • Stainless Steel Frets
  • Locking Tuners
  • Ivory Tusq Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Luminescent Inlay
  • Strap Lock
  • Made in South Korea
  • No Expensive Woods
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Tremolo
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
Strengths & Weaknesses
Schecter PT SLS Evil Twin
  • Stainless Steel Frets
  • Locking Tuners
  • Expensive Wood
  • Compensated Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Neck-Through Build
  • Multi-Voicing Pickups
  • Luminescent Inlay
  • Compound Radius Fretboard
  • Made in South Korea
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Tremolo
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

Final Build Quality Scores

Chapman ML3 Pro Traditional
Quality of materials 81
Features 70
Quality Control 70
Build Quality 74
Schecter PT SLS Evil Twin
Quality of materials 76
Features 90
Quality Control 75
Build Quality 80

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 Traditional 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 Traditional and Schecter PT SLS Evil Twin'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 Traditional Neck Profile
Chapman ML3 Pro Traditional's neck profile
Schecter PT SLS Evil Twin Neck Profile
Schecter PT SLS Evil Twin'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.

Both the Chapman ML3 Pro Traditional and the Schecter PT SLS Evil Twin have a C-shaped 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.

Fretboard Radius

Chapman ML3 Pro Traditional Fingerboard Radius
Chapman ML3 Pro Traditional's Fingerboard radius
Schecter PT SLS Evil Twin Fretboard Compound Radius
Schecter PT SLS Evil Twin'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 Schecter PT SLS Evil Twin 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.

And after taking into account the scale length, nut width, neck profile and fretboard radius, we can conclude that the Chapman ML3 Pro Traditional favors large hands more than the Schecter PT SLS Evil Twin. But it's still more comfortable for people with small hands, as you can see in the score meter below.

Chapman ML3 Pro Traditional:
Big Hands
Small Hands
Schecter PT SLS Evil Twin:
Big Hands
Small Hands

Fret Size

Chapman ML3 Pro Traditional Frets Size
Chapman ML3 Pro Traditional's Frets Size
Schecter PT SLS Evil Twin Frets Size
Schecter PT SLS Evil Twin's Frets Size

The Schecter PT SLS Evil Twin has XL Jumbo frets, which should be taller than the Chapman ML3 Pro Traditional'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 Traditional
Bending & Vibrato Ease 80
Chord Playability 65
Solo Playability 75
Playability 73
Schecter PT SLS Evil Twin
Bending & Vibrato Ease 75
Chord Playability 70
Solo Playability 100
Playability 82

Specs Side-by-Side

Chapman ML3 Pro Traditional vs Schecter PT SLS Evil Twin
General Chapman ML3 Pro Traditional Schecter PT SLS Evil Twin
Brand: Chapman Schecter
Year: 2021 2018
Configuration: SS HH
Strings: 6 6
Made in: South Korea South Korea
Series: Pro SLS Elite
Colors: Sunburst, Black Satin Black
Left-Handed Version: Yes No
Body
Type: Solid Body Solid Body
Body Material: Alder Swamp Ash
Bridge: Chapman String-Through Tele-Style with Brass Saddles Hipshot Hardtail (.125) w/ String Thru Body
Neck
Neck Joint: Bolt-On Neck-Through
Tuners: Hipshot Grip-Lock Open (18:1 Gearing) Schecter Locking
Fretboard: Roasted Maple – Dark Colour Ebony
Neck Material: Roasted Maple – Dark Colour Maple/Walnut/Padauk Multi-ply w/ Carbon Fiber Reinforcement Rods
Decoration: Glow-in-the-Dark Side Dots with Black Infinity Roman Numerals
Scale Size: 25.5" 25.5"
Shape: C Shape Ultra Thin C
Thickness: 1st Fret: 0.905'' (23mm) - 12th Fret: 0.944'' (24mm) 1st Fret: 0.748'' (19mm) - 12th Fret: 0.787'' (20mm)
Frets: 22 Jumbo Stainless Steel 24 XL Jumbo Stainless Steel
Fretboard Radius: 10" 12" to 16"
Nut: Ivory Tusq Compensated
Nut Width: 42mm (1.654'') 42mm (1.654'')
Electronics
Bridge Pickup: Seymour Duncan Hot Tele (Single Coil / Passive) Fishman Fluence Modern Ceramic (Humbucker / Active)
Middle Pickup:
Neck Pickup: Seymour Duncan Hot Tele (Single Coil / Passive) Fishman Fluence Modern Alnico (Humbucker / Active)
Switch: 3 Way 3 Way
Knobs: Dome Dome
Pickup Mods: None Multi-Voicing
Volume Controls: 1 1
Tone Controls: 1 1