Solar Guitars A1.7DBOP Black Open Pore
A high-performance seven-string built for stability and sonic flexibility, but lacking accessories.
★★★★★ 4.5/5 · 2 buyer reviews · 5 min read · updated 2026-09-27 · Tested by Cal Whitaker
Shipping and duties
The retailer ships from its warehouse in Germany. Prices are shown in US dollars and do not include import duties. Orders under roughly $800 usually clear US customs without duty; above that, a duty of a few percent may be collected on delivery. 30-day money-back and a 3-year warranty apply.
Scores by area
Where it shines, where it stumbles
What convinced me
- High stability tuning thanks to the Evertune bridge and locking tuners
- Robust construction using ash body and maple neck-through design
- Duncan Solar humbuckers paired with a five-way switch provide extensive tonal variety
- Premium features like medium stainless steel frets and fluorescent side markers aid playability
What bugged me
- No gig bag or case included despite the price point
- Heavier body may not suit all players
- Absence of tremolo limits some expressive techniques
Is it the right one for you?
Good pick if
Ideal for modern metal, progressive, or technical players needing reliable tuning and playability. Suitable for stage, studio, and demanding live environments thanks to its premium hardware and construction.Look elsewhere if
Not intended for traditionalists or those seeking vintage tones, nor for beginners due to advanced features and higher price. Players requiring a lighter instrument or a tremolo system may need alternatives.Suggested level: Professional
Specifications
- Color
- Black
- Body
- Swamp Ash
- Top
- None
- Neck
- Maple
- Fretboard
- Ebony
- Frets
- 24
- Scale
- 673 mm
- Pickup system
- HH
- Tremolo
- No
- Including case
- No
- Incl. gigbag
- No
Up close
Questions players ask
Does the A1.7DBOP include a hard case or gig bag?
No, neither a case nor a gig bag is included in the package.
What are the main tone options with the 5-way selector?
The five-way switch allows for a range of humbucker combinations, offering crisp cleans to aggressive distortion.
Is the guitar suitable for down tuning?
Yes, the Evertune bridge and robust construction provide excellent stability for down tuning.
Is the neck comfortable for extended playing sessions?
The C-shaped neck profile and medium stainless steel frets make it comfortable for most hands during long sessions.
What string gauges are recommended?
The guitar comes fitted with.009 -.062 gauge strings, suitable for modern seven-string setups.
Features Overview of the Solar Guitars A1.7DBOP Black Open Pore
The Solar Guitars A1.7DBOP Black Open Pore is a seven-string electric guitar firmly positioned within the high-end bracket for performance-oriented players. Every component, from its woods to its hardware, is targeted at delivering precise, stable, and consistent playability across contemporary metal, progressive, or experimental genres. With a striking open-pore black finish and robust set of features, the A1.7DBOP stands out on paper in a category crowded with competition.
Construction and Materials
- Body: The body is made from ash, a wood valued for its resonance and dynamic response, offering a solid foundation for extended range tunings.
- Neck: The neck is crafted from maple, a hard, stable choice, and is constructed in a neck-through-body configuration. This method extends the maple from headstock to body end, increasing sustain and giving players clear upper fret access. The neck profile follows a C shape, which is ergonomically familiar for many modern guitarists.
- Fretboard: An ebony fingerboard tops the neck, chosen for its slick surface and snappy attack. Medium stainless steel frets, twenty-four in total, provide durability far superior to standard nickel-silver frets, resisting wear during heavy play and keeping intonation consistent.
- Nut: The nut is made of Tusq, a synthetic material known for its uniform density and ability to enhance sustain and tuning stability.
Design and Ergonomics
With a scale length of 673 mm (26.5 inches), this guitar is tailored explicitly for seven-string operation. The extended scale increases string tension, maintaining clarity and definition for the lowest string gauges, here,.009 to.062 as standard. The nut width, measuring 48 mm (1.89 inches), provides ample space for complex chord voicings and sweep picking typical in modern extended range music.
A 400 mm (15.75 inch) fretboard radius means the fingerboard is moderately flat, which will suit fast runs and extreme string bends without choking out, accommodating a lower string action. The fluorescent Luminlay side markers stand out for dark stage use, ensuring you don't lose orientation during rapid position shifts. The Solar logo inlay marks the twelfth fret, one of the few aesthetic elements in an otherwise fully functional design.
Electronics and Controls
- Pickups: The guitar is outfitted with two Duncan Solar humbucking pickups. These are designed for high output, articulate note separation, and suppressing unwanted noise, traits crucial to heavily distorted playing.
- Switching: Electronics are simple but versatile: a five-way selector switch, along with one volume and one tone knob. This setup allows easy access to a range of tones, from full humbucker output to split-coil-inspired clarity, suitable for both tight rhythm and lead work.
Hardware and Reliability
- Bridge: The Evertune bridge stands out as a unique selling point. This tension-compensating hardware eliminates the need for constant retuning. Once set, the system physically maintains string tension, making it ideal for recording musicians or touring guitarists who require stable tuning regardless of changes in temperature or playing intensity.
- Machine Heads: Locking tuning machines, made by Solar with an 18:1 gear ratio, supply fine-tuning precision and offer quick restringing without slippage.
- Pickguard: The pickguard is anodized aluminum, adding durability and a subtle visual accent, while all other hardware components follow a black finish, maintaining the overall stealth aesthetic.
Practical Considerations
No case or gigbag is included at this price point. While this is not uncommon in the professional guitar segment, it is a notable omission given the guitar's professional pricing. The entire instrument is delivered with a black open-pore finish, emphasizing the visible wood grain and reducing the risk of finish cracking or chipping over time.
Technical Suitability and Target Users
Everything about the Solar Guitars A1.7DBOP Black Open Pore orients it towards guitarists needing uncompromising tuning stability, fast and low action, and extended tonal control. The woods and hardware all serve long-term reliability, while the scale and neck dimensions suit down-tuned playing and passing from clean phrases to heavily saturated signals without muddiness. Its electronics configuration gives enough single-coil-like sounds for versatility but ultimately caters to modern high-gain music over vintage tones or traditional jazz.
At 1555, the price reflects its component quality and engineering. However, prospective buyers should account for the need to obtain transit protection separately, as no gigbag or case is provided.
Conclusion
The Solar Guitars A1.7DBOP Black Open Pore is engineered for the demands common to technical metal and progressive musicians, focusing on low-maintenance tuning, playability, and durability. Its lack of included accessories is offset by practical, road-ready features and a strictly utilitarian hardware lineup. For advanced players working live or in studio contexts, particularly those using lower tunings, the A1.7DBOP's technical platform is capable and robust.
The last word from the bench
The Solar Guitars A1.7DBOP Black Open Pore offers serious players a solid combination of reliability, premium hardware, and tonal options. Its Evertune bridge and locking tuners ensure rock-solid tuning, while construction and finish meet professional standards. The absence of a case or gig bag at this price is disappointing. Despite this, it's a top choice for players prioritizing stability and versatility.
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Before you decide
Solar Guitars A1.7DBOP Black Open Pore
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