Chapman Guitars is nearing the completion of a major restructuring process. Following a move to a new factory in Holland and the addition of new shareholder Brian Van Zwietering, founder of Musifacts, the company is preparing for significant growth in the coming years. Alongside this expansion, Chapman Guitars is also branching out into amplifiers.
“Chapman Guitars has experienced tremendous growth recently, including our shift to distribution and the move to a new factory,” founder Rob Chapman shared in an Instagram post. “To achieve our exciting expansion goals, we’ve welcomed new experience and expertise to the team.”
Chapman added, “Brian not only brings invaluable experience but is also deeply committed to growing both Chapman and Snake Oil in line with our vision. He’s a fantastic person, and we are excited to have him join our team.”
In the same post, Brian Van Zwietering expressed his enthusiasm for the collaboration: “I’ve always been drawn to Chapman Guitar’s collaborative approach and its strong ties to the music community. I’m proud to be part of their journey and to contribute to the brand’s growth while preserving what makes Chapman unique.”
The post concludes with a thrilling announcement about Chapman Guitars’ debut amplifier. “Stay tuned as we expand our product range, introduce new innovations, and celebrate this exciting new chapter – beginning with our first-ever Chapman Amplifier, the Cloud Hammer, coming soon!”
Although a release date is yet to be confirmed, Chapman has already shown the 40-watt tube amp in action. In a YouTube preview, he shared, “It’s been a long time coming. I’ve wanted to make a Chapman amp for years!”
The Cloud Hammer features four EL34 tubes in the power amp section, while the preamp uses two pairs of 12AT7 and 12AX7 tubes. The amp boasts two channels, along with a user-configurable boost circuit. There are also options to adjust compression or brighten the tone.
“I’m not the biggest user of clean tones,” Chapman admitted. “But it’s incredibly useful, especially as a pedal platform. I wanted the clean channel to have a warm, super-high headroom, and a buttery clean sound.”
The amp’s vintage feel is enhanced by a touch of tweed in its design.
Chapman revealed that the Cloud Hammer is expected to be priced around £3,000. While it’s a premium cost, the amp will be hand-wired, ensuring precise craftsmanship.
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