Solar Guitars SBR1.6FRSP Sustainiac+

Solar Guitars SBR1.6FRSP Sustainiac+ review

The Solar Guitars SBR1.6FRSP Sustainiac+ is a 24-fret, double-humbucker electric guitar with a Sustainiac system and a Gotoh GE1996T tremolo. Its Silver Sparkle Gloss finish gives the model a distinct look, while the hardware is black. The guitar has an alder body, a bolt-on roasted maple neck, and an ebony fingerboard. It has been available since August 2025, and its listed price is 1,222. No currency was specified in the supplied product information.

My expectations were mixed. I own a Solar guitar and have played others, and my previous experience left me wishing the company would improve its quality control. The parts can be appealing, but assembly has not always been consistent. This example made a better impression. I found no finish or construction flaws, and the factory setup was usable without fret buzz. That matters: a guitar with a capable bridge and unusual electronics is less compelling if it arrives needing extensive correction.

Build, neck, and setup

The neck has a C-shaped profile, a 350 mm (13.78-inch) fingerboard radius, and a 648 mm (25.5-inch) scale. The PPS nut and Solar locking tuners with an 18:1 gear ratio round out the tuning hardware. A Solar logo inlay sits at the 12th fret, and fluorescent Luminlay dot markers run along the side of the fingerboard. In low light, those side markers should be easier to see than standard dark markers, though they do not change the feel of the neck.

The setup on my review guitar was good enough to play immediately. I could imagine lowering the string action slightly, but that is a straightforward adjustment rather than a major setup problem. The 24 stainless steel super jumbo frets feel smooth during playing, with no scraping under the fingers. On close inspection, however, some fret ends seemed a little sharp. Rounding them more carefully would improve the finishing work and bring this guitar closer to an excellent score. They were a minor imperfection, not an obstacle while playing.

The strings supplied are Black Smith 0946 Nano Carbon Coated. The product listing does not include a bag or a case, so buyers should plan for separate protection if they need one. The model's item number is 607842.

Pickups and Sustainiac controls

The bridge position uses a Duncan Solar+ humbucker, while the neck position houses a Sustainiac Stealth Pro humbucker. The controls include one volume knob and one tone knob, both with push-pull coil-split function, a three-way pickup selector, a Sustainiac on/off switch, and a separate octave switch. That gives the guitar several ways to shape its output, but the two pickup voices are notably different in character.

The Duncan Solar+ sounds forceful and strongly focused in the midrange. To my ears, it could use more high-end presence. The Sustainiac pickup comes across much brighter, almost like an active pickup by comparison. That contrast can make switching positions feel less seamless than it might on a more evenly matched set. Players who want a focused bridge sound and a brighter neck voice may enjoy the range. Those looking for closely balanced pickup levels and tone should try both positions before buying.

The Sustainiac system itself is the feature that kept me experimenting. I have used a guitar with this type of system before, and it can make playing feel more open-ended. The on/off and octave switches provide direct access to its effects, while the pickup selector and coil-split controls add further options. The supplied information does not specify detailed operating modes, so the best way to judge the system is to spend time with the actual instrument and its controls.

Gotoh tremolo and playing impressions

The Gotoh GE1996T tremolo has a 33 mm brass block. This was my first guitar with a Gotoh bridge, and I preferred its feel to a Floyd Rose 1000. The bridge felt more ergonomic to me and stayed in tune well during use. The substantial block also gave the guitar a resonant impression. That is a subjective playing observation, but the hardware felt like a quality component rather than an afterthought.

Overall, this is one of the better Solar guitars I have encountered. Its construction and finish were clean on my example, the initial setup was practical, and the Gotoh tremolo performed reliably. The small fret-end issue and the sharp difference between the two pickup voices are worth noting. They do not erase the appeal of a guitar that combines a locking tremolo with Sustainiac features, but they are reasons to inspect one in person when possible.

Verdict

The Solar Guitars SBR1.6FRSP Sustainiac+ makes sense for players who want a tremolo-equipped guitar with a distinctive sustain system and are willing to explore its controls. The review sample arrived in notably better condition than my earlier Solar experience led me to expect. Its strongest points were the usable setup, stable Gotoh bridge, and engaging Sustainiac system. The slightly sharp fret ends and contrasting pickup characters keep it from feeling fully polished. If those details suit your preferences, this model offers a compelling set of playing options in a Silver Sparkle finish.