Solar Guitars S1.6PP

Overview: Solar Guitars S1.6PP Construction and Features

The Solar Guitars S1.6PP is purpose-built for modern rock and metal, with a specification set and construction focused on tuning stability, player comfort, and visual impact. The body is mahogany, overlaid with a poplar burl veneer in a striking purple burst matte finish. The neck runs through the body and consists of a five-piece laminate combining maple and Jatoba, offering both stability and a consistent feel across its entire length. The fretboard is made of ebony, featuring 24 super jumbo stainless steel frets and a luminous Solar logo inlay at fret 12. The scale length is the familiar 25.5 inches (648 millimeters), which will feel instantly recognizable to many players coming from established metal or modern rock instruments.

Hardware and Electronics

• Bridge: EverTune F-Type bridge, renowned for rock-solid tuning stability even through aggressive playing or environmental changes.
• Machine Heads: 18:1 locking tuners, contributing further to overall tuning reliability.
• Pickups: Dual Duncan Solar humbucker pickups (one in the bridge position, one at the neck), each controlled through a five-way selector switch plus single volume and tone knobs for streamlined operation.
• Frets: 24 Stainless steel, super jumbo size for durability and a slick playing experience.
• Strings: Factory-fitted Black Smith Nano Carbon Coated,.009-.046 gauge, emphasizing crisp attack and longevity.

Finish, Feel, and Playability, And Where It Varies

Visually, the S1.6PP stands out with its purple burst over figured poplar burl, at least in the manufacturer's images. User experience highlights an unevenness here: some owners receive instruments with visually dramatic burl patterns and vivid coloring, while others express disappointment with more muted, flat finishes or eye-catching blemishes, particularly dark knots in the veneer. The matte texture is consistently praised for both look and feel, but the variance in poplar burl figuring means the guitar's top is a gamble; some call it show-stopping, others note it looks duller than promotional images suggest. Minor finishing quirks are noted, such as tool marks on the body contours and less gloss compared to online pictures.

The comfort profile is another strong suit. The neck, described as a moderate "C" shape, sits well in a range of hand sizes and gives a notably smooth transition right up to the 24th fret. Solar's ergonomic cuts in the mahogany body enhance access, whether sitting or standing. The guitar is on the heavier side for an S-style, with several reviewers mentioning its weight as substantial, but only one noting it verges on uncomfortable. Overall balance is praised; no neck dive, and the guitar sits securely against the player.

Luminous side dots on the fretboard make orientation clear even on dark stages. The action straight out of the box is generally good, though several users opted to tweak intonation or string height after setup, an expectation at this price range but worth noting for those hoping for a "ready to play" feel immediately.

Sound and Electronics: Versatile, Yet Metal-Focused

The twin humbuckers are proprietary to Solar but manufactured by Seymour Duncan. They are moderate in output, so those playing straight into audio interfaces may find extra gain necessary for high-gain metal sounds. Clean tones receive high marks, with clarity and no harsh treble, this is not an overly aggressive metal pickup set by default. Distorted tones are described as articulate and punchy, well-balanced, making the S1.6PP ideal for heavy rhythm playing, palm muting, and precise lead work. Still, players in search of particularly hot or active pickup voicing may find the Duncan Solar set somewhat subdued; a few users have swapped in other brands for more bite or extended versatility.

The five-way switch expands flexibility compared to standard HH wiring, affording split and parallel combinations for increased tonal options from delicate cleans to saturated crunch.

The EverTune Bridge: Hero or Hindrance?

A marquee feature is the EverTune bridge, an engineering solution for tuning stability. Most users report that it absolutely delivers on its promise, liberating the player from constant retuning and making tracking in the studio much more efficient. There is a learning curve during initial setup or string changes, but clear instructions mean most can adapt quickly. The bridge is fully bend-compatible once set up correctly, removing one of the early criticisms of locking, auto-correcting technologies.

One important caveat: at least one owner experienced noticeably compromised sustain, especially in the highest frets. This does not compromise playability for rhythm work, but if you demand long, singing lead notes especially high on the neck, this may be a tradeoff to weigh. The consensus is that the bridge's positives, tuning reliability, consistent action, far outweigh any minor negatives in most scenarios. For heavy studio users or frequent live performers, the EverTune is a feature worth having.

Build Variability and Value Assessment

The S1.6PP sits at the $1,366 price point, positioning itself as a premium but accessible instrument for serious enthusiasts. Feedback on build quality is mixed: for most, the neck and fretwork is praised as superb, with smooth frets, no sharp edges, and high attention to detail. However, some users report outliers, minor cracks near fret slots or small dings and tool marks especially at the back body-neck junction. None of these issues seem widespread, but at this price, expectations run high. Buyers are right to expect a flawlessly finished guitar, and Solar's quality control, while generally strong, is vulnerable to some variability, especially in the appearance or flawless execution of the figured top. No gig bag or case is included as standard, which feels like a missed opportunity given competitors at this tier.

Conclusion: Distinctive, Functional, But Not Without Drawbacks

The Solar Guitars S1.6PP packs a purposeful feature set, solid mahogany body, through-body neck, moderate output pickups, EverTune bridge, and an eye-catching (if occasionally inconsistent) poplar burl veneer. Its sound is well-suited to hard rock and modern metal, and hardware choices cater to players needing absolute tuning stability and fast, reliable performance. The biggest considerations for buyers: visual variance in the figured top, mild risk of finishing issues, and the EverTune's nuanced impact on sustain up high. If playability, stability, and a unique look are your priorities, the S1.6PP stands as one of the more compelling options in its segment. For those where every visual detail and perfect execution are must-haves, it's worth a hands-on inspection or purchase from a retailer with an accommodating return policy.