Solar Guitars S1.6FRBOP+

Solar Guitars S1.6FRBOP+ review

The Solar Guitars S1.6FRBOP+ has a compelling set of specifications for players looking for a fixed-scale electric guitar with a locking tremolo. It combines an alder body and a glued-in, three-piece maple neck with an ebony fingerboard, 24 stainless steel frets, two Duncan Solar Plus humbuckers, and a Floyd Rose 1000 tremolo. The listed price is 1145, and the model has been available since December 2025.

That specification sheet suggests a purpose-built instrument for rock and metal playing, with a 25.5-inch scale, a locking nut, and hardware designed to handle frequent tremolo use. The available owner feedback, however, points to a gap between the guitar's appealing design and the consistency of the examples received. Reports describe both excellent playing feel and sound, as well as setup and finish issues that are difficult to overlook at this price.

Construction and hardware

The S1.6FRBOP+ has a black, open-pore finish, white binding, and black hardware. There is no separate top listed. Its maple neck has a C profile, while the ebony fingerboard has a 13.78-inch radius and a Solar logo inlay at the 12th fret. Fluorescent Luminlay dot markers run along the side of the fingerboard. Solar locking tuners and a Floyd Rose 1000 tremolo round out the hardware.

The locking nut and bridge are a logical match for a guitar intended for aggressive tremolo work. One owner reported that the bridge returned to pitch reliably after heavy bends and forceful tremolo use. That same report praised the neck as smooth, fast, and comfortable over longer sessions, particularly for someone who prefers an unpainted-feeling neck. Those impressions suggest that the core playing experience can be strong when the instrument arrives in good shape.

There are 24 super-jumbo stainless steel frets, a useful feature for players who want a durable fret surface. But one owner found that the high E string could slip off the edge of the fingerboard during playing. That is a significant concern, since fret-end finishing and the string's position across the neck directly affect confidence and playability. The reports also mention uneven-looking neck edges around the locking nut, though that observation is specific to the instrument inspected.

Pickups, controls, and playing feel

The two Duncan Solar Plus humbuckers are controlled by volume and tone knobs, with a five-way switch for selecting pickup combinations. Owner comments describe the sound as excellent, but the available feedback does not provide detailed comparisons by style or amp setting. The listed configuration offers more switching options than a basic three-way humbucker setup, while keeping the control layout straightforward.

One reported guitar arrived with the bridge pickup visibly offset to the left. The owner estimated the misalignment at about 3 to 4 millimeters and said the low string barely crossed its pole piece. Support reportedly described the position as intentional, citing intonation. Pickup placement does not set string intonation, so that explanation does not address the concern raised. This is an individual report, but it reinforces the need to inspect pickup alignment on delivery.

The guitar's setup also appears to vary between examples. One owner described the intonation as accurate and the action as slightly high. Another received an instrument out of tune, with loose strings and action they considered too high. These accounts do not establish how every S1.6FRBOP+ is shipped, but they show that buyers may need to check tuning, action, and intonation rather than assume the factory setup is ready to play.

Quality control and delivery concerns

Several reported problems concern fit and finish rather than the design itself. One guitar arrived with a bent tone knob that rubbed against the body. The owner carefully repositioned it to stop the contact. Another report describes a crack beneath the locking nut on a first replacement, followed by a separate crack beneath the Floyd Rose mounting posts on the replacement instrument. Those are serious reported defects, although they should not be taken as proof that every unit has the same problems.

Appearance is another point to consider. One buyer felt the actual open-pore finish differed substantially from the retailer's photographs, while acknowledging that the guitar still looked acceptable on its own. Natural variation can affect an open-pore finish, but a large mismatch between product images and the received instrument can still disappoint. In a separate delivery account, a case ordered alongside the guitar arrived with small dents after the outer shipping box was scratched. The specifications list the guitar as being sold without a bag or case.

Verdict

The Solar Guitars S1.6FRBOP+ offers a strong playing concept: a comfortable maple neck, ebony fingerboard, stainless steel frets, Duncan Solar Plus humbuckers, and a Floyd Rose 1000 tremolo. At least one owner found the tremolo stable and the sound satisfying, and the neck earned especially positive comments.

Quality control is the main reservation. The owner reports include a damaged control, pickup alignment concerns, inconsistent setups, fret-edge trouble, and cracks around key hardware on separate instruments. These experiences are not enough to conclude that every guitar will arrive with defects, but they make careful inspection important. Check the neck and locking nut, fret edges, pickup alignment, controls, bridge mounting area, and setup soon after delivery. The S1.6FRBOP+ has the ingredients of a capable instrument, yet buyers should weigh its appealing specification against the reported variation in execution.