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ESP LTD PS-1000
Chapman ML3 Semi-Hollow Pro
VS
Playability
80
Sound
75
Build
69
Value
75
Score
75
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Playability
78
Sound
76
Build
80
Value
78
Score
78
FIND IT ON:
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LTD PS-1000 vs Chapman ML3 Semi-Hollow Pro

Reasons to Get
LTD PS-1000 over Chapman ML3 Semi-Hollow Pro

Frets Height
Taller vs Shorter
Easier to press down strings and bend them
Neck Profile
Thin U vs C Shape
Comfortable neck with more grip
Volume Knobs
2 vs 1
More volume control
Tone Knobs
2 vs 1
More tone control
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
Scale Length
24.75'' (628.7mm) vs 25.5'' (647.7mm)
Easier bending, shorter fret separation and warmer natural tone

Reasons to Get
Chapman ML3 Semi-Hollow Pro over ESP LTD PS-1000

Release Year
2022 vs 2019
From a more recent year
Neck Profile
C Shape vs Thin U
Comfortable neck that works for most people
Nut Material
Ivory Tusq vs Plastic
Resistant, good tuning stability and rich tone
Neck Joint
Neck-Through vs Set
Stronger neck and easier access to upper frets
Number of Frets
23 vs 22
Allows to reach higher notes
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
Scale Length
25.5'' (647.7mm) vs 24.75'' (628.7mm)
Lower action and brighter natural tone
Value Score
78 vs 75
Better price/quality relationship

Other Key Differences
LTD PS-1000 vs Chapman ML3 Semi-Hollow Pro

Bridge Pickup
Seymour Duncan Phat Cat SPH90-1 vs Seymour Duncan Vintage P90
Different Bridge Pickup
Neck Pickup
Seymour Duncan Phat Cat SPH90-1 vs Seymour Duncan Vintage P90
Different Neck Pickup
Body Wood
Mahogany vs Perupok
Different Body Wood
Neck Wood
Maple vs Roasted Maple
Different Neck Wood
Fretboard Wood
Ebony vs Roasted Maple
Different Fretboard Wood
Headstock
3-3 vs R6
Different Headstock
Nut Material
Plastic vs Ivory Tusq
Different Nut Material

Shared Features
LTD PS-1000 vs Chapman ML3 Semi-Hollow Pro

Strings
6
Same playing style
Body Type
Semi-Hollow
Lighter and allows more gain than a hollowbody
Switch Positions
3
Same pickups versatility
Pickups
P90P90
Vintage tone with decent versatility
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
Fretboard Radius
13.78'' (350mm)
Same fretboard comfortability
Pickups Power
Passive
Cleaner sound and no battery needed
Type of Frets
XL Jumbo vs Jumbo
You won't feel the fretboard when pressing down the strings

Common Strengths

  • Locking Tuners
  • High-Quality Frets
  • Top Pickup Brand

Common Weaknesses

  • Pickup Alter Switch/Knob
  • Stays in Tune (Evertune)
  • Compound Radius Fretboard
  • From a High-Quality-Standards Country
  • 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • Active/Passive Preamp

Table of Contents

Price History Comparison

SET PRICE ALERT

Chapman ML3 Semi-Hollow Pro Prices

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Which One is Better Overall?

After going through our comparison algorithm, the results show that the Chapman ML3 Semi-Hollow Pro is probably the better product overall with its final score of 78 compared to the ESP LTD PS-1000's 75 score, although not by a lot.

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

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?

Both meet 6 out of our 8 criteria items for beginner friendliness. 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. If you're looking for your first guitar to learn how to play, you can't go wrong with either of them.

New Player Friendliness

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

New Player Friendliness

Chapman ML3 Semi-Hollow Pro
  • Comfortable shape
  • Easy-to-use bridge
  • Locking tuners
  • Tall frets
  • Narrow nut
  • Comfortable neck
  • Comfortable fretboard
  • 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.

ESP LTD PS-1000 Overview

  • From ESP LTD's 2019 Xtone series
  • Made in Indonesia
  • 6 strings
  • 24.75"'' scale
  • 13.78" Fretboard Radius
  • Mahogany body
  • 3pc Maple neck
  • Macassar Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Seymour Duncan Phat Cat SPH90-1 (Humbucker/Passive)
  • 2 volume and 2 tone Speed knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Tonepros Locking TOM & Tailpiece bridge
  • Thin U Set neck
  • 22 XL Jumbo Stainless Steel frets
  • LTD Locking tuners
  • Compare Specs >

Chapman ML3 Semi-Hollow Pro Overview

  • From Chapman's 2022 Pro series
  • Made in South Korea
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 13.78" Fretboard Radius
  • Perupok body
  • Roasted Maple – Dark Colour neck
  • Roasted Maple – Dark Colour fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Seymour Duncan Vintage P90 (Single Coil/Passive)
  • 1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Chapman String Through hardtail bridge
  • C Shape Neck-Through neck
  • 23 Jumbo Stainless Steel frets
  • Hipshot Grip-Lock Open (18:1 Gearing) 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 ESP LTD PS-1000

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

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.

Mahogany is a fairly rare wood nowadays. It's used mostly for bodies due to its relatively lightweight. Gibson popularized it with their Les Paul guitars during their golden years, so this wood has a lot of good reputation behind it. The most expensive type comes from South America and it's still used by Gibson even today. Find out more about Mahogany.

Woods Used in the Chapman ML3 Semi-Hollow Pro

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

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.

It's not a common wood for guitars. It's native to Southeast Asia and it's more often used for interior finishes.

Winner: ESP LTD PS-1000.

Pickup Configuration

Both pickup configurations are P90P90. P90P90 gives you two P90s for a crunchy vintage tone. The tone sits somewhere in the middle between typical single-coils and humbuckers. They also produce less hum than single-coils, but they don't cancel it completely like humbuckers.

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 Semi-Hollow Pro 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 ESP LTD PS-1000's and use them on any guitar:

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: Chapman ML3 Semi-Hollow Pro.

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.

Neither of them come with some kind of coil split or pickup mod option. This makes both lacking in terms of versatility.

They both share the following switching options:

ESP LTD PS-1000 and Chapman ML3 Semi-Hollow Pro pickups switch and push knobs diagram
ESP LTD PS-1000 and Chapman ML3 Semi-Hollow Pro'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 PS-1000.

Final Sound Quality Scores

ESP LTD PS-1000
Pickups 90
Sustain 80
Versatility 53
Tuning Stability 75
Sound 75
Chapman ML3 Semi-Hollow Pro
Pickups 100
Sustain 75
Versatility 49
Tuning Stability 80
Sound 76

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 ESP LTD PS-1000 compares to the Chapman ML3 Semi-Hollow Pro.

Country of Origin

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

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.

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 ESP LTD PS-1000 has a Plastic nut. This is a low-quality nut that you might want to consider upgrading soon. Bone and TUSQ nuts are the best for guitars with a fixed or simple tremolo bridge.

On the other hand, the Chapman ML3 Semi-Hollow Pro comes with 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.

Winner: Chapman ML3 Semi-Hollow Pro.

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 ESP LTD PS-1000 has a Set neck joint. This neck is tightly glued to the body. They give you the least versatility because you can't swap them for a neck that fits your hand better if you want to, unlike bolt-on necks. Some people think this gives more resonance and sustain, but there's no real difference if the bolt-on joint is well built.

On the other hand, the Chapman ML3 Semi-Hollow Pro 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: Chapman ML3 Semi-Hollow Pro.

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

Strengths & Weaknesses
ESP LTD PS-1000
  • Stainless Steel Frets
  • Locking Tuners
  • Expensive Wood
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Made in Indonesia
  • No High-Quality Nut
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
  • No Luminescent Inlay
  • No Tremolo
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock
Strengths & Weaknesses
Chapman ML3 Semi-Hollow Pro
  • Stainless Steel Frets
  • Locking Tuners
  • Ivory Tusq 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 Tremolo
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio

Final Build Quality Scores

ESP LTD PS-1000
Quality of materials 66
Features 65
Quality Control 75
Build Quality 69
Chapman ML3 Semi-Hollow Pro
Quality of materials 81
Features 85
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

ESP LTD PS-1000 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

ESP LTD PS-1000's Scale Length
ESP LTD PS-1000's Scale Length
Chapman ML3 Semi-Hollow Pro's Scale Length
Chapman ML3 Semi-Hollow Pro's 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.

The Chapman ML3 Semi-Hollow Pro has the longest scale: 25.5". The ESP LTD PS-1000 is only 24.75" long. This is a 0.75'' (19.1mm) scale length difference.

This longer scale means that the strings need more tension to get in tune. This is good if you want to avoid fret buzz, which can happen when the strings are too loose and touch the frets while vibrating. This is especially important when playing in lower tunings. This will also let you reduce the gap between fretboard and strings (low action) to make them easier to press down. However, this higher tension will also make it harder to perform bends and vibratos as the strings will feel stiffer.

This also means that the frets have a longer separation between each other, so this will make it harder for people with smaller hands when playing some chord positions.

Another characteristic of a longer scale is that it makes the guitar sound 'snappier' or brighter. This is due to the extra separation between harmonics and overtones produced by the tension. This influences tone more than any other factor (except the pickups).

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

ESP LTD PS-1000 Neck Profile
ESP LTD PS-1000's neck profile
Chapman ML3 Semi-Hollow Pro Neck Profile
Chapman ML3 Semi-Hollow Pro'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 ESP LTD PS-1000 has a U type of 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.

The Chapman ML3 Semi-Hollow Pro, on the other hand, has a C 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

ESP LTD PS-1000 Fingerboard Radius
Both Guitars Have The Same 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.

Both the ESP LTD PS-1000 and the Chapman ML3 Semi-Hollow Pro have the same fretboard radius of 13.78". It's closer to the 12'' that most Les Paul guitars have, but it's a bit flatter. It'll make it easier to play single notes than chords, but it's still relatively comfortable for chords.

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 .

ESP LTD PS-1000:
Big Hands
Small Hands
Chapman ML3 Semi-Hollow Pro:
Big Hands
Small Hands

Fret Size

ESP LTD PS-1000 Frets Size
ESP LTD PS-1000's Frets Size
Chapman ML3 Semi-Hollow Pro Frets Size
Chapman ML3 Semi-Hollow Pro's Frets Size

The ESP LTD PS-1000 has XL Jumbo frets, which should be taller than the Chapman ML3 Semi-Hollow Pro'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

ESP LTD PS-1000
Bending & Vibrato Ease 95
Chord Playability 75
Solo Playability 70
Playability 80
Chapman ML3 Semi-Hollow Pro
Bending & Vibrato Ease 85
Chord Playability 60
Solo Playability 90
Playability 78

Specs Side-by-Side

LTD PS-1000 vs Chapman ML3 Semi-Hollow Pro
General LTD PS-1000 Chapman ML3 Semi-Hollow Pro
Brand: ESP LTD Chapman
Year: 2019 2022
Configuration: P90P90 P90P90
Strings: 6 6
Made in: Indonesia South Korea
Series: Xtone Pro
Colors: Black, Blue, Purple Blue, Green, Orange
Left-Handed Version: No No
Body
Type: Semi-Hollow Semi-Hollow
Body Material: Mahogany Perupok
Bridge: Tonepros Locking TOM & Tailpiece Chapman String Through hardtail
Neck
Neck Joint: Set Neck-Through
Tuners: LTD Locking Hipshot Grip-Lock Open (18:1 Gearing)
Fretboard: Macassar Ebony Roasted Maple – Dark Colour
Neck Material: 3pc Maple Roasted Maple – Dark Colour
Decoration: Blocks Glow-in-the-Dark Side Dots with Pearl Infinity
Scale Size: 24.75" 25.5"
Shape: Thin U C Shape
Thickness: 1st Fret: 0.787'' (20mm) - 12th Fret: 0.866'' (22mm) 1st Fret: 0.905'' (23mm) - 12th Fret: 0.944'' (24mm)
Frets: 22 XL Jumbo Stainless Steel 23 Jumbo Stainless Steel
Fretboard Radius: 13.78" 13.78"
Nut: Plastic Ivory Tusq
Nut Width: 42mm (1.654'') 42mm (1.654'')
Electronics
Bridge Pickup: Seymour Duncan Phat Cat SPH90-1 (Humbucker / Passive) Seymour Duncan Vintage P90 (Single Coil / Passive)
Middle Pickup:
Neck Pickup: Seymour Duncan Phat Cat SPH90-1 (Humbucker / Passive) Seymour Duncan Vintage P90 (Single Coil / Passive)
Switch: 3 Way 3 Way
Knobs: Speed Dome
Pickup Mods: None None
Volume Controls: 2 1
Tone Controls: 2 1