Anyone Heard of Chandler Les Pauls?

[Udonitron]

I know Chandler is still a thriving guitar company based out of California but from what research I have done, they made REALLY nice custom Les Paul copies until Gibson came in and told them to stop and destroy all remaining copies. Then then put out an order to destroy all stock but there were a few that managed to be sold and are still circulating to this day. I was so PISSED that Rinkya had an issue with bidding on a Fresher P90 Gold Top today and I lost the bid due to an error on their end (sold for 28,000 Yen!!! ARGH!!!)...I was about to head back to bed and I saw a Chandler ending and it perked my interest. There were a lot bids on it as well...had what looked to be an ebony fretboard, a gorgeous solid flame maple figured top, and 2 piece center seamed back. The Harmony Central reviews on them are 10/10 and Chandler answered every single one of their emails about the guitar in a quick fashion along with some history and rarity of the Les Paul copies. I know it isn't MIJ but being that it was bought from Japan and originated in the US, it has a history so I had to pull the trigger on it! $450 CAN

[Udonitron]

Once it arrives and I post pics that is when the salivary glands should start flowing on a few of you I think

[Udonitron]

Wow...so there are a few well known artists who play Chandlers, who woulda thunk it? I emailed Chandler for the history on my newly purchased Les Paul copy. I will post info once they reply & it should be interesting for those who wish to know.

Tom Petersson
John Entwistle
Joe Bonamassa <-- sweet
Rick Nielsen

Never mind me, just thinking out loud here lol

[zeppelin101]

Wow congrats man! Agiles were the same way. They had to change the shape and headstock to avoid legal action taken by Gibson. Its cool that Joe Bonammassa played one though.

[nwobhm]

Yeah, I remember those but, vaguely. How long ago was it made?

[TeleDog]

I was gonna comment on the lawsuit potential here, but I guess that's history? Crap, they even copied the logo's font! lol.. that's taking it a little too far!

[Udonitron]

Originally Posted by nwobhm

Yeah, I remember those but, vaguely. How long ago was it made?

I think this is an early 80's but I am still waiting to hear back from Chandler...hope they reply soon!

[Udonitron]

Originally Posted by TeleDog

I was gonna comment on the lawsuit potential here, but I guess that's history? Crap, they even copied the logo's font! lol.. that's taking it a little too far!

Never!! LOL...yeah funny hey? I am impressed at their gall for doing it within the US however!

[Udonitron]

OK...so here are a few shots my friend sent me of the Chandler before she sends it off to me The solid top looks freaking SWEET! The back has an odd grain to it...2 piece center seam but it almost looks like Maple!? It could still be a type of mahogany as I know Chandler made their copies to Gibson spec. Talk about a jumbo fretboard and it sure looks like ebony too



::EDIT:: Fret edge binding as well

[hardangerfjol]

hey allright, udonitron count me in !

a very cool axe with lots of vibe...hold onto it !


hardingfele

[Udonitron]

Hey thanks Hardingfele!

Yeah I have now found out that 25 of these made it out to the public before Gibson came in and placed a destroy order on the remaining amount so this sucker has a deep history, especially coming from Japan! Seems like the plain tops were poly and more frequent vs. the flame tops which were very rare and had high production costs. No one really seems interested in this thread so perhaps that is for the best? Keeps these at a "below the radar collector acquisition" state ....for now!

Chandler Les Paul Standard Copy: Harmony Central User Reviews

This is a Chandler repro of a Les Paul Standard. It is handmade in San Francisco, CA. It has the same features as Gibson Les Paul Standard - sunburst carved bound maple top, tunamatic bridge and tailpiece, Gibson '57 reissue pickups, all of the hardware is identical to Gibson reissues, rosewood board with trapezoid inlays, fat neck and huge frets. I heard that this was one of a few that survived a "destroy order" at the Chandler shop for obvious patent infringement. It is really a shame if any guitars like this one were destroyed. I know there are some great Gibson's out there. However, I have owned and played many Gibson Les Pauls. None of them come close to the sound, feel and playability of this Chandler.

[mojo hobo]

HI UDO and CONGRATS,
That is a beautiful looking les paul and going by the company history you presented,a very rare gem,Well done ,thought you were not buying any more guitars for a while,I know tell me about it ?The GAS LOL..

I love the colour of the top it has loads of MOJO and a patina that only comes from true age.
Any idea when it was made ,early 80s lawsuit era or what?
Hold on to that sweet thing !!Cannot wait Till you get it and post some photos and a review ,i am very interested how she sounds ,build quality,how much would they cost new,interesting to what chandler will say if they e-mail you back,funny how it ended up in japan ,with so many MIJ quality brands around in their own backyard,got a feeling that guitar has a unique history,oh yeah!!!

You get up in the middle of the night to bid on guitars ,now that is dedication!!!

WELL DONE & ENJOY BRO!!
Thank you for sharing and enlighting me!
Another Fantastic lesser known brand getting the attention it deserves,,,,


MOJO HOBO

[ryancrossguitars]

intersting thread he has made lots of guards for me and onse lent some advise on building lepauls to me .bottom line do not offer them for sale !!! overall a very nice guitar rare as well but I did not know they were made in japan.

[Udonitron]

No these Chandlers are made in California, not Japan.

I am tempted to buy a hard case to get that shipped in....worried about damage although 11 guitars and counting and no damage yet besides a tiny dent on the back edge of my Fresher. It is ready to be shipped but I am still contemplating!

Hey Mojo Hobo...it is 5:20 am and I am up doing....guess what? LOL

[mojo hobo]

Hey UDO,
I have a spare greco lp case at the rinkya warehouse waiting to be shipped to me with a few other bits and bobs,you are welcome to it if we can arrange it with rinkya to transfer it to your account,you did use rinkya to buy the chandler,if your interested e-mail me,ok
I have no need for it at the moment,no guitars to ship at the moment,plus you can have it for zilch....


I have e-mailed you with some pictures .....



MOJO HOBO

[Udonitron]

Mojo...I love you man! Haha I replied! Oh, now that I finally acquired an 80's Burny GT with P90's this morn too I will now hold to my stopping of NGD. This is it now...no more for a while...I need to resist, I have to!! Argh!

[standard man]

That is beautiful bro!

[Udonitron]

Thanks man, looking forward to getting it in my hands and hopefully in one piece lol.

[nwobhm]

Originally Posted by Udonitron

Mojo...I love you man! Haha I replied! Oh, now that I finally acquired an 80's Burny GT with P90's this morn too I will now hold to my stopping of NGD. This is it now...no more for a while...I need to resist, I have to!! Argh!

I hear that! No more for me, I hope!

[Udonitron]

Haha it really is habitual man. I always tell myself to stop and take a break but I get into a mindset that if I am not always looking, I might miss the deal of the century so I look and end up seeing something "else" I would like and next thing you know you cry when you look at your bank balance LOL

[Scorpione]

I have one myself, it's a plaintop - thick poly finish, with true Gibby LP style headstock. These guitars are chambered and have a 25.5 scale. I have mine fitted with a burstbucker 1 in the neck and BB2 in the bridge. Aluminum stop tail piece. i keep thinking of refinishing it but the finish is perfect and the axe just rocks. Believe it or not, i pick up this guitar before I pick up my 59 RI, LP 81 custom or my BFG. It just rocks and I get such a vibe from it. Amazing guitar and best of all I got it for free.

[Udonitron]

Oh nice! Post some pics man, please! I know the plain tops were poly and chambered but from what I have read, the flame tops were nitro with the same 1" larger scale etc....only 25 made of the flames. I bought a flight case for it to be shipped to me from Japan so that is why it is taking so long to arrive. I am still waiting for the case to arrive so it can be processed and shipped! The guitar is too rare to ship without a case

[mojo hobo]

Should be with you soon then UDO,maybe middle of next week,man you must be as nervous wreck till that rare and stunning guitar arrives.
You brought a flightcase so you really are protecting that chandler to the limit well worth the expense,i would do exactly the same.How many fish and lentil flavoured kit-kats can a flight case hold as well the guitar. LOL
(sorry a joke for rinkya users only)

So only another 23 to find ,i will keeping a watchful eye out for you.
Cannot wait for the pictures and the review,
TAKE CARE MAN,SPEAK SOON!



MOJO HOBO

[Udonitron]

Haha...yeah what is up with all the weird Kit Kat flavours!? The flight case STILL has not arrived man So I bet you it will not be until the following week now! My 80's Burny RLG-60 Gold Top with P90's (L9000 vintage pups) should be here by Wednesday or Thursday however Let us hope it is in one piece...shipped in a thickly padded gig bag.

[nwobhm]

mmm, Sushi flavor

[Scorpione]

Your gonna love the Chandler Udo. I would pit any Les Paul against my Chandler and it would win hands down. The 25.5 scale is great. I have three other LPs which I love dearly but this is my #1 axe. No kidding. And I own 16 guitars. I've tried many pickup combos in mine until I installed the BB1 & 2. The other PU combos I liked to where Fralins and Lollars. There is a BB3 in my BFG and it sounds great there too. i think the Gibby BB PUs are accentuated with the chambered bodies.

[Scorpione]

Anybody know how many plaintops where made? I have never been able to gather that info.

[Scorpione]

I will post pics soon.

[Scorpione]

OK, here are some pics of my plaintop:

[image]http://home.comcast.net/~scorpione/pwpimages/DSC_2682.gif[/image]
[image]http://home.comcast.net/~scorpione/pwpimages/DSC_2683.gif[/image]
[image]http://home.comcast.net/~scorpione/pwpimages/DSC_2684.gif[/image]
[image]http://home.comcast.net/~scorpione/pwpimages/DSC_2686.gif[/image]
[image]http://home.comcast.net/~scorpione/pwpimages/DSC_2688.gif[/image]

[Scorpione]

Lets try again:

"][image]http://home.comcast.net/~scorpione/pwpimages/DSC_2682.gif[/image]]Comcast
"][image]http://home.comcast.net/~scorpione/pwpimages/DSC_2683.gif[/image]]Comcast
"][image]http://home.comcast.net/~scorpione/pwpimages/DSC_2684.gif[/image]]Comcast
"][image]http://home.comcast.net/~scorpione/pwpimages/DSC_2686.gif[/image]]Comcast
"][image]http://home.comcast.net/~scorpione/pwpimages/DSC_2688.gif[/image]]Comcast