Chandler Les Paul Standard Copy

Mine is a Les Paul "Golden '59'. Made in 1996.
Semi-hollow mahogany/maple body. Flame maple top.
High output bridge pickup; medium output neck pickup
May have push/pull tone pots for each pickup.
Designed to offer LP look, but has 25-1/2 inch scale, hollow body and special pickup locations to create unique powerful voice.
Fat neck with rather big frets. Total made approx. 25.
Discontinued due to high mfr. cost and Gibson became a large customer to Chandler and they didn't like Chandler making them.

Superb! Like a Gibson, but more powerful.

Bought it used, but the set-up was great. Fine bookmatched flame-maple top.

Excellent!!

Great. Emailed Chandler once and they answered my mail fast with all the information I asked for.

I have played guitar for 30 years and have several Strats and Marshall amps. I also have one Tokai 'Love Rocks" Les Paul copy. Can't match my Chandler in any way.

I believe the one I have was made in the 90's. Gold top Made in San Jose Califas. The finish is a polyest'. the neck is a medium width. Frets are not too jumbo. Great intonation. Generally a Gibson "knock-off," Tuner were changed by a prev owner. The fretboard although it looks like rosewood, the density and the guitar's tonal reaction sezs its ebony (uncolored).

The headstock has a multi/layered laminate which looks cool.

I think it also has a different scale length (25 inch). Tried a Gibson pickguard and it didn't fit the pickup width, first clue.

The top is a solid maple cap on Mahogany (one piece) back with a one piece neck (no heal cap). At first I thought it was a Tokai but the heal construction is different and slightly tighter(even more so than a Gibson).

I changed the pick ups to SD 59's. Also changed pots and capacitors. What an improvement!!! This guitar is one of the best sounding guitars I have. Rich and full and because of the density able to get some very nice clear highs.

Folks I'm not blowing smoke up your ----!
I have no affiliation with Chandler guitars other than I own their LP model and I want another Chandler LP.

Been playing this guitar through Musicman 50, Fender Deville and other tube amps.

Anyone know where there might be another on....., Please contact me.

I didn't like that the guitar was refin' with a Poly. Although this poly finish is alot harder than polyu' or anyother poly finish (it doesn't have that thick plastic feel to it).

The top is finished in gold and it pretty close to the Gibson I just saw at guitar center.
I wish the finish would have been scraped off the binding better to expose more binding. I'm not sure that if finishing in Nitro-cel would make this a better guitar (just more alike the guitar that its imitating and surpassing)
Only poly IMO does not age or yellow as well as Nitro-Cel'.

I gig several times during the week, This guitar has become a favorite. Its really infected me with LP-itis. I am more of a Jazzer (IMO), so I like f hole guitars. But this guitar is doing something to me.

Sounds great, feels great, looks great. Wish I could find another one at a reasonable price.

People at Chandler's are really people people, super friendly. I called them on several occassions and left of message, thinking they wouldn't call back..., but guess what? The called me back within a few hours of my call. Spent some quality time as well. Got a little background on the guitar, Felt even better about the purchase.

I hope to visit their shop someday just to pay my respects.


People have offered to chang the headstock so that it looks exactly like the Gibson butI appeciate this guitar so much for what it is and the workmanship that should be mistaken for Gibson. I feel kind of proud that it was built here in Califas (California). I would not change the logo.

been playing live for about 35 years. I own a several guitars.

This guitar IMO is better than a Gibson LP. My heart fell to the ground when I read the prev' reviewer write something about a destroy order???? My God. I saw a cherry burst on Ebay about 1 year ago and the starting bid was $1000.00. Didn't see anyone bid on the guitar.
So hence its probably the best kept secret in the world.

I heard that the guitar was initially sold as a Kit build-it-yourself project. And that they sold at about $1000.00 then. Would appreciate any info on the whereabouts of a Chandler LP for sale.

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.

It sounds like a Les Paul Standard - a great Les Paul Standard.

The build/finish quality is on par with some VERY expensive Paul Reed Smith guitars I have owned. However, the maple top is not fancy or highly figured.

This guitar will outlast me.

Never contacted the company.

I have been playing for over 15 years. I have owned lots of nice and expensive guitars. This guitar along with an '89 SRV signature strat, I will keep forever.