Solar Guitars A1.7AAN

Overview and Construction

The Solar Guitars A1.7AAN is a seven-string guitar aimed at demanding modern metal guitarists. Priced at $1,555, it pairs upscale component choices with a construction built for aggressive styles, featuring a maple neck-through-body design and an alder body. The instrument shows off its natural wood with an aged natural matte finish, giving the guitar a distinctly raw, unvarnished look that complements its technical ambitions.

Neck-Through Assembly and Playability

Central to the A1.7AAN's appeal is the neck-through-body construction, using a solid piece of maple for both the neck and the core of the body itself. This design typically enhances sustain and stability, two things most guitarists in heavier genres actively seek. The neck comes with a comfortable C profile, which avoids extremes, it's not too thin or too chunky, making it welcoming for both rhythm chording and fast solo work. The graphite nut measures 48 mm across, catering to the broader fretboard space necessary for seven-string performance without feeling unwieldy.

Paired with the neck is an ebony fingerboard, known for its dense, smooth touch and clear attack. There are 24 extra-large stainless steel frets, allowing extended high-register access with minimal wear over years of aggressive playing. String action out of the box is low and clean, assisted by high-precision Solar 18:1 locking machine heads, which add confidence when tuning and prevent slippage mid-set.

Scale Length and Ergonomics

• Scale: 673 mm (26.5"), somewhat longer than traditional six-string models, which means tighter string tension for lower tunings. This choice makes the instrument particularly well-suited to extended-range work and percussive modern styles.
• Body Contour: Lightweight alder remains balanced when strapped on, though it has a dense wood core for sustain.

Electronics and Switching

The A1.7AAN houses two Fishman Fluence Modern humbucking pickups in a double configuration. These active pickups are prized for their clarity and high output without the muddiness sometimes plaguing low tunings. The control layout keeps things straightforward: a single volume pot, a tone control (with push/pull for voice selection), and a three-way selector switch.

• Push/pull tone control: Changes voicing of the Fishman humbuckers. One position offers a more traditional, mid-heavy output; the alternate is tighter and more aggressive, less compressed, and better for palm-muted riffing.
• Three-way switch: Standard neck/bridge/combo settings, with little bleed or noise at any position.

Evertune Bridge System

A standout feature is the F-Type Evertune bridge. For anyone unfamiliar, this system maintains tension on each string so that minor pitch deviations (from heavy bends, temperature changes or accidental knocks) do not result in the string noticeably going out of tune. This is especially useful for aggressive down-tuning and fast-handed modern metal. The Evertune does take a bit of setup time and some dedication for initial adjustment, but once locked in, tuning stability is remarkable, strings stay where you put them, even through heavy-handed rhythm playing.

Sound Impressions

The Fishman Fluence Modern pickups display sharp clarity when voicings are split via the push/pull knob, giving an almost single-coil snap in some contexts. Clean sounds offer genuine note separation, especially on complex chords or wide intervals. On high-gain settings, both neck and bridge pickups shine for articulate riffing and lead work.

One recurring piece of feedback: the low end is focused but can come off slightly cold compared to the warmer, punchier response of some traditional passive pickups (like those on the Jackson Chris Broderick Soloist 7 with DiMarzios). However, the benefit here is enhanced note definition, which is critical for complex chord shapes and fast, palm-muted passages in lower tunings. The guitar remains tight and responsive, even under saturated gain, qualities modern metal styles demand.

Visuals and Hardware

• Finish: Aged natural matte, with open-pore aesthetics allowing the wood grain to be seen and felt. There's no gaudy ornamentation, keeping the look modern and honest.
• All-black hardware: Bridge, machine heads, and controls are stealthy, understated, and fit well with the overall appearance.
• No case or gig bag included: This is a consideration at this price point, so plan for a separate purchase if transporting the guitar regularly.

Verdict

The Solar Guitars A1.7AAN delivers on its modern metal promise with quality woods, flawless fretwork, and stainless hardware intended for longevity. Its primary strengths lie in neck comfort, consistent tuning from the Evertune bridge, and tonal versatility courtesy of the Fishman Fluence Modern humbuckers. The clarity across all frequencies (especially in complex low-register passages) is notable, even if the low end is not as warm as some classic designs. Anyone seeking a precision seven-string with rock-solid tuning and modern playability will find value here, provided they are ready to invest a little extra in transport accessories.