Checking Out A Solar Guitar

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[@PhillipMcKnight]

Let me know what questions you have about the guitar. If we get enough interest I will do a full detailed review and answer as many of the questions as I can. I will also reach out to Solar for official answers as well.

[@ShaneGelven]

please do a full review because it looks awesome a deserves the attention

[@semimental7896]

The finish on the looks super glossy, are the other more matte front finishes the same or do they carry that matte through? Really like the solars but Im not personally a fan of gloss necks.

[@broderborgesson5257]

Yes, full detailed review please!

[@AkiraSpectrum]

I have seen interviews where Ola says the bridge is based off the Custom 5 (SH-14)--not sure if its slightly different or essentially the same spec--and is made where Duncan Designed pickups are made (Korean factory?).

[@TheJMan1K]

Once you do a full review could you tell us how big the slots in the nut are? I want to play drop B but I’m worried I might have to file the nut to accommodate the heavier gauge strings. Thanks.

[@OlaEnglund]

Thank you for my album shout out and thank you for checking out the guitar!

[@philipm4585]

Hey is it true that you'll be a Guest at the Freak Guitar Camp?

[@Karim.R1]

The single "Pizza Hawaii" is just great, heading for the album too, keep it up man !!

[@JR-dd4ec]

Your guitars are beautiful! Why do I have to be a poor musician lol

[@Crovax]

This is the crossover episode i never knew i wanted

[@brandonhuisman4351]

Love Hawaiian Pizza. Pre ordered album contemplating a solar guitar. Can you sign my solar guitar if I buy one of your top models?

[@smariotti]

I hear they make you burp when playing Pantera riffs.

[@The.Adam.D]

No extra attention goes into artists models. What you get, they get. Unbelievable attention to detail. No stone unturned. Pefection. And to come from a no name person from sweden with a dream and youtube channel is so inspiring. And the fact that quality over quantity truly matters to Ola. Much love and Bless. A man can dream. One day...

[@Wolfgang_von_Caelid]

I understand and agree with the sentiment but Ola has been a successful professional guitarist since at least the mid 2000s, he even had a signature guitar from Washburn and a signature amp from Randall.

[@norseatheart1086]

"a no name person" LOL

[@maidenthe80sla]

This Solar surely got the metal tone out of your fingers! I am really liking Ola's guitars and this one appears to be quality built, outfitted w/name brand parts, aesthetically pleasing and has a versatile tone for metal and hard rock. Yes, a full detailed review would be fantastic!

[@ironbeard2796]

You got some of the best tones ive heard from you with this. Im really impressed with how it sounds.

[@stacybrown6512]

i completely agree great tone

[@TheHumbuckerboy]

I was also impressed with the clean tones 😃

[@joonatankaija8998]

I recently bought a Solar A2.7 LH. My first seven string and I couldn't be happier. The upper fret access is great and it plays so smoothly and sounds great! Really recommend these guitars!

[@RNAMusic]

I’ve been wanting a Solar for awhile. Chatted with Ola many times at NAMM when he was with Washburn as we’re Washy dealers... lovely guy.

[@CoyleCustoms]

IIRC they're basically a Custom 5 and a '59, just with a more modern look

[@kitoyobeni1]

I believe that is what Ola has said. He prefers lower output pickups with Alnico 5 magnets.

[@AlanCessa]

Yeah, I believe that's a tweaked version of the Custom 5 and the '59 might just be a rebranded duncan designed version, I own one of the washburn solar models and that's what it seems at least hahaha but man, they actually sound awesome, love them to death!

[@SalLopez3Babaganoosh]

You are correct

[@jamasters62]

That's exactly what I was told. The bridge pickup should be labeled HB114B on the baseplate, as a US Duncan Custom 5 is SH-14 or TB-14. All the Duncan Designed neck humbuckers are variations on the neck 59 or neck Jazz, yet sometimes with ceramic magnet like the HB103N, all are vintage voiced and powered for neck position though. I LOVE the HB114B Solar bridge pickup! They have more bottom than the Distortion/HB103 and the JB/HB102.

[@terryosborne272]

It is what Dimebag was using that is the answer.

[@denisorourke4444]

I love the Duncan Solar pickups. They put out more signal than the Duncan JBs. Very dynamic. The dynamics make them more appealing to me than Black Winters or EMG 81's.

[@Da_Porkchop_Xpress]

Insert an Ola clap!

[@lukekern7444]

👏

[@joshuaneal9160]

Amzing. Ola makes some amazing guitars, and it's wonderful seeing one of his guitars on one of my favorite KZbinr's channel

[@VictorscherrerBrasil]

Hi Phil, I saw an interview with Ola and he said his pickups were based on the Duncan Custom (SH5). I love your channel and the way you communicate with your audience!

[@LetsTalkAboutMathRock]

Sick outro! 08:00 Want to see some of that on a bass.

[@MrKrankKopf]

The Duncan Solar pickups are based on the the Custom 5.

[@cat_bicycle12]

Phil is one of my most constantly watched youtubers, never get tired of his vids A+

[@Carlos-fh8wk]

The clean sound was unexpectedly clear and crisp...nice.

[@wilhelmtheconquerer6214]

Solar guitars, on paper, are objectively awesome! It was nice to see it in action

[@tonyhayek1086]

Phil, you’re awesome brother. Your honesty and your down home approach is unbeatable keep doing what you’re doing!

[@bauhausoffice]

I love it Phil you remind me of a kid like a 12-year-old boy Christmas morning. We’ve got to retain some of our childhood excitement. Nice job bro

[@pedrosoares7273]

I remember Ola said the bridge pickup was based on the SD Custom. I believe it's his fav SD pickup, the distortion beeing the 2nd. The distortion sounds great but it isn't as versatile as the custom, and the custom has a really nice dark growl to it. I can only guess the neck to be based on a Sh1 but it's a pure guess, I don't remember him talking about it

[@toemasmeems]

The Duncan Solar is based on a Custom 5 by Seymour Duncan which is a medium to high output AlNiCo pickup. I love it and have picked it over some US Seymour Duncan’s. They respond to your dynamics well (which is why you get you get a great chug if you attack like Ola) and they sound great clean.

[@bjdenil]

Great sounding guitar! I could totally work,with that sound... but the aesthetic is wrong for my style of play. Love the guitar but I'm more a Blues / Blues Rock kind of guy... Thank you for another great video Phill.

[@BradColemanisHere]

Well, it's beautiful for sure. I like how many different tones you get out of that 5-way switch, too.

[@uli_ses1363]

Phillip, I see you have been practising your play a lot! Haven't seen a video in a while and have to say that im impressed. great tone and playing in this video! Cheers from Chile man!

[@Patbwoy]

Thanks for finally promoting the correct way of saying D'Addario. You used to be one of those Dee Addario guys yourself ;)

[@vixenvendettaofficial]

Badass!!! I mainly play Jacksons but I will own some solar guitars in the future!!!

[@ericfranco8586]

Vixen your a badass guitarist! I Subscribed= ]

[@caerwyn5881]

I've always wanted to get a Solar, but i was so skeptical, but now i'm sold! Thank you Phill

[@lordpanic]

i got mine 3 months ago, this guitars are indeed good.

[@allanb1402]

I've heard nothing but good things about these guitars. Nice overview!

[@ontheroad579]

Me too. Opinions on the other KZbinr-owned brand everybody loves to hate are much more variable.

[@markwallace8995]

Custom 5 not Distortion. Ola says on one of his videos. Sounds awesome! I want one so bad!

[@zeromustafa401]

I think I speak for everyone when I say we need more slap guitar. That was wicked.

[@Darm0k]

Throw some chorus on those cleans and you're in 80s power ballad intro territory.

[@kingbrutusxxvi]

Being a start-up company I really didn't plan on giving Solar my $$$ but, honestly, this may have changed my mind. I knew these guitars looked great but the pickups sounded like they're pretty good all-around. I would have expected them to be too hot but the cleans and lower gain stuff sounded pretty good (that's saying something since I listened over my crappy phone speaker). Cheers, Phil.

[@guitarz]

Favorite guitars and brand at the moment

[@Botamis]

Ooo... excellent playing Phil! That first riff sounded amazing

[@omarm7969]

Congrats on your new guitar phil. Nothing is quite as exciting for us guitarists as opening a new guitar. I bought a white Solar V last week and I havent been able to put it down since. Definitely worth checking out

[@charlesedwardcheese203]

Am I the only one that heard Ola's voice in my head when he read the little booklet thing at the beginning?

[@cbeserra]

Awesome demo. I want to check out a solar now! Any chance you could give a quick video lesson on slap technique for guitarists?

[@joshshirey1105]

Damn! My dream git!! I diggin you’re and olas channels! That little slap bit and the end was pretty damn amazing!

[@merlozeppelin]

That first riff was pure 80s L.A. Loved it.

[@skeetschuler1859]

Congratulations Phil. It's a beauty, sounds great.

[@Geddz0]

Best sounding ax you had in long time! Looks amazing

[@erichearrell3224]

love the pop and slap ... lol sounds great

[@sisterno.5590]

Hey Phil, I was one of those kids at The Rock and went to you art class for my field trip! *subscribed* By the way, I was with "Greenway" I kept holding that guitar in the front.

[@stanislavmigra]

I remeber some video, from time when Ola had Washburn sig, that he said that this set is based on 59 neck and Custom 5 bridge. But I might be wrong. Now mostly Ola said, that he aimed for very much neutral sounding pickups, so it will let your amp and pedals shine. I found it: kzbin.info/www/bejne/oWnNemiopLmopNE He still use the same pickups in Solar, that were in his Washburn sigs.

[@caseyking8394]

Glad to some more exposure for ola, good vid!

[@TheShreddDude]

YES!! Been waiting to see the Blood Tangerine in a video but no one has it. This is the only finish I want. Great taste Phillip.

[@TheHumbuckerboy]

I love that this great looking guitar has a fixed bridge !

[@ChaosDP]

The pics of that finish doesn't do it justice. It looks much better on video. You can really see the color variation. I have been looking at the trans blue but that color is NICE!

[@eikbike]

Both Ola and Phil are cool cats! Great stuff Phil!!!!!

[@Zaki-db1mw]

It was nice seeing you in the Rock Teen Center... It was really fun :)

[@stankfanger1366]

They trusted Fed-Ex or UPS with that beauty and wrapped it in cardboard? For shame. Everything over $1000 should be defaulted into a case for common sense reasons. I happen to know that Gator hard cases that sell in the $120 range only cost between $35 and $40 to make.

[@jeepnut1]

That's a $649 guitar. Double boxing is an effective way to limit damage.

[@jeepnut1]

@@Mark-OutWest He showed the removal of the first box in the inset video from 0:08 to 0:17.

[@avjake]

Fitted foam and cardboard is definitely safer than a soft case, anyway. I ordered a D'Angelico that was packed in a gig bag inside a cardboard box and the head stock was broken on arrival.

[@A.J.K87]

gigbags are far easier to lug around. especially if you don't have a car.

[@wickedwayzzz33]

@@A.J.K87 If you have a 1000 dollar guitar and no car, then you need to get your priorities straight

[@aleaallee]

I once tested a friend's friend Flying V Solar guitar and the neck FELT AMAZING, it played like fkin butter. If i weren't wishing for a rg550 right now I'd want a solar.

[@The.Adam.D]

True duncans. Designed by ola himself. Cannot buy anywhere else.

[@ontheroad579]

I think they are made in Asia, based on an SD design.

[@The.Adam.D]

No actually Ola has vids discussing the inspiration and collaboration between seymore duncan. He created them when he was a Washburn artist and and helped design the Parallaxe!

[@ontheroad579]

@@The.Adam.D Ok, they were designed by SD in collaboration with Ola. But are they made in Asia ?

[@rickc2102]

@@ontheroad579 says Asia like it's one homogeneously-cultured country.

[@ontheroad579]

@@rickc2102 Never said that. I say Asia like it's one geographical area (a continent in fact) different than America and Europe (and the other continents).

[@yudapiamenta3224]

Love your videos Phillip. Btw, I was your 200 thousandth subscriber. Although I’ve been watching you for a year at least. I never subscribe to anyone’s channel really, other than learning to repair my own guitar. Wish I had those nice tools, or even a starter set you’d recommend for a struggling musician?

[@pizzajeff-nola]

The bridge pickup is based off of the custom 5. Not sure about the neck.

[@robinhansen292]

I think it is based on a 59

[@pizzajeff-nola]

@@robinhansen292 yeah that or a jazz. Can't remember.

[@MaestroJericho]

To those who have both how are they compared to the USA Duncans?

[@vadidrock]

Phillip McKnight and Ola Englund... Hell yeah!!!!!

[@zwallyzool1974]

You can see you really dig that guitar, Phil.

[@evenzeroescanbeheroes6875]

She looks and sounds absolutely amazing. This brand as well as Chapman are some of the newer brands of guitars I'm considering. Just sucks it's not easy to get a Solar guitar here in the US,otherwise I'd probably already have one

[@viatheheathen9087]

I'm just waiting until they have Solar dealers in the US so I can try one.

[@evenzeroescanbeheroes6875]

@@viatheheathen9087 me too. But I wonder who will get them first

[@viatheheathen9087]

@@evenzeroescanbeheroes6875 if we don't get Solar dealers here, I'll have to go back to plan b, which is building my channel until I can get a brand to take me to namm, and then try one there.

[@evenzeroescanbeheroes6875]

@@viatheheathen9087 best of luck to ya,man. You got my support

[@viatheheathen9087]

@@evenzeroescanbeheroes6875 thanks!

[@Utube-g3g]

I’m a year late posting but Phil you need that car to go with the guitar. I love that color too. I don’t see this color anymore, or anywhere.

[@LoboR1]

Phil, would love a full in-depth review! Can you comment on the fretwork and nut slot depth as those two things seem to be common issues with lower priced guitars. That colour looks amazing!

[@MK-re6sf]

Blimey, that Solar logo is a bit close to Devin's DTP one!

[@ontheroad579]

I agree. It doesn't bother me at all, though.

[@WattchomanBrandySavage]

that ending slap guitar was siiiick

[@heyjoel]

Hey Phil, many thanks to you and Ola for making this happen. Wondering if the type A’s body is a standard size for a strat. For some reason, the body looks comparable to a dinky to me.

[@marvinm9680]

Is it me, or does it seem like Phil is only giving us the "positives" on the guitar vs. the typical "unbiased pros and cons"? Don't get me wrong, Ola seems like a great guy (and they seem like cool guitars), but still -- an unbiased review of the guitar showing all it's good points and flaws is what's best (and is a big part of what this channel is about).

[@mochi65]

Hey Philip, I know you get asked to review everything under the sun but I respect your opinion and I'd like to know what you think about the Ibanez SA 460 QM. I'm in need of replacing my every day working guitar and thinking about pulling the trigger on this one. I think I'd like to get a graph tech or tusq or bone nut for it, and set the tremolo for dive only.

[@RedDawnWOLV]

I love the three Solar's I have. I want the V next and the Lemon Neon 7string

[@Heavy_Metal_EMS]

I want a Solar guitar so bad, watching Ola play them has made me want one for a while now.

[@reverendduke]

You had me at "Holy Diver"

[@1967mdavis]

first thing I thought when I saw the logo was it was a Devin Townsend Project Signature guitar :-/

[@coreycann6751]

My dad has a washburn ola englund v and it's pretty nice. He bought the cheaper 650 dollar version only because he's never played on an evertune and is a fan of string through bridges. I dig it. Ola is a very respectable player and reviewer. I met him at namm twice and he was such a cool and chill guy. Edit: my dads v has those same solar duncan designed pickups with a coil tap and their great. High gain but not very chunky. Think of a sonewhat mix between seymour duncan jb and black winter. Great single coil tones for such a metal guitar.

[@lorenmars5244]

$? My guess is it looks like about a $1200 guitar. Comparable to the level of a USA Strat. The cut-aways look a lot like my 1989 Yamaha RGX612A. Which is cool. The design holds up through the decades. Funny hiw it has a hard tail. Looks like it should be a wangfest type rig. In my playing over the last 30 years, the locking tremolo and the techniques it allows, drew me into the instrument in the beginning. The wild EVH stuff. Like a 16 year old buying a car based soley on the fact that it has a cool sound system. Decades later I find myself reaching for the whammy bar only about 1% of the time.

[@jonathanaddams6711]

I'm pretty sure Ola said that the Solar pickups are based on the Custom Custom or the Custom 5.

[@OneManCoverBand1]

I'm pretty sure the solar pickups are based on the custom 5 if remember correctly

[@bobbiholliday5961]

Great vid again. I watch olas vids as well. I respect and enjoy both yours and his vids equally. Both you and ola have different aspects of knowledge advice and learning. Both of you really do a service to us at home guitarists.

[@MrYankeesfan]

Phillip, yours' is my favorite channel on youtube by far. I don't know if you'll read this, but what do you think are the chances that the new Gibson CEO will listen to Epiphone's fans wanting the headstock on Les Pauls to match the Gibson headstock like all those years ago? Thanks and keep up the great work!

[@meatrocket1]

Love SOLAR guitars! My problem is i can't decided what model or color. OLA personally QC's every guitar that's awesome!

[@reddoggie100]

Congrats on the new axe! That guitar looks sick! Sounds great too.

[@jeffreyschroder8004]

Congratulations on your Solar! Ola, and his crew, are top notch. Have a little more to save, before I purchase my first Solar; likely, the V 🤘🏻😎🤘🏻

[@Craig_Fussell]

That’s one rad instrument man! Not usually a fan of orange, but that color really is beautiful. ✌🏻

[@jrp7837]

HB-103's appear to be the old Duncan Designed/import version of the Duncan Distortion.

[@MrChuckd6]

I can’t afford one right now but one day soon I will play a Solar on stage with my band Möose

[@jacobhalsey1393]

I heard someone say in a video after asking Ola about the pickups they were based off of some kind of duncan custom

[@lorenmars5244]

Looks and sounds pro. God I still despise reverse headstocks though. If someone gave me a $10,000 guitar with a reverse headstock, I would say thank you then immediatly take a picture and put it on Craigslist.

[@rawandxyz]

Great video, but there seem to be something wrong with the audio. Maybe you compressed or limited it hard? It's very noticeable when you palm mute.

[@PerJohansson-Xeizo]

LoL! This is spooky. I have the exact same model(and same color) incoming on Monday :) Yes. full review please! From what I've gathered through some browsing the net: this guitar is pretty much the same guitar as Washburn PXSOLAR 160 which was Olas signature model at Washburn. I wouldn't be surprised if they are still made at the same Washburn factory in Indonesia(the new one, the old factory was burnt to the ground in an accident but QC was reportedly much better for Washburn with the new factory). The pickups are based on Duncan Custom-5(B) and 59(N), but they have slightly different tone especially the 59 is reported to be a lot more clear sounding than the original. Both are medium output Alnico 5, Ola thinks high output pu:s are a bad match with modern high gain amps. As far as versatility in sound it is said to be able to cope with virtually every style of metal/pop/rock but the looks may be a little too hair metal for some classic rock acts :D But all that is just what I've read, and unable to verify, can't wait to check for myself! Btw, I had GAS for the matte black model, but it was sold out so Tangerine Metallic ... AND this sort of closes a circle as my first electric guitar was a Washburn(Hawk) :)

[@ontheroad579]

It would be great if you could do a review of it when you get it.

[@PerJohansson-Xeizo]

@@ontheroad579 Philip would do a much better review, but I could try too, have never done a video guitar review though :D Bad news, delivery is rescheduled for Tuesday, it is always this way with buying online gah! ;)

[@brandonhuisman4351]

Dang was just looking at one of these solars. Really like them. Please inform us on finish flaws. I don’t want to order a 1200 dollar guitar and be be pissed like I was with a 1500 dollar Chapman

[@fanoboss]

WTF ... why would you do that ?

[@meatrocket1]

OLA QC's every guitar personally, he has a cool video on his channel doing it.

[@EpicStuffMan1000]

who on earth charged you £1500 for a chapman

[@malcolmhardwick4258]

S2000 squad plus if it's not up to quality then ask for a replacement. Or yer money back

[@jeepnut1]

He used to. I don't think he does anymore. He still makes regular trips to check up on things, however.

[@thetonekingofficial]

sweet axe man!

[@187metalmonster]

Oh holy diver!!!

[@user-yp492]

Hey Phillip ? I might have missed it but what wood was used for the body ? 7 pounds and some ounces is pretty light ? How is the sustaine ? Fret size on your model ? In demand a full video!!!! Lol... id love to see how impressive the wiring is , maybe a drop tune to test ?

[@joshshirey1105]

I know this was two yrs ago ..but hey..maybe you’ll see it! Even tho that little slap jammer at the end was only a few seconds it left me totally intrigued! Again..I doubt you’ll see it but I’m gonna ask anyway.. Do u have to raise the action at all to achieve the slap? I know practice and technique most likely has a lot to do with it ..but other than that does string height come into play at all?

[@imannonymous7707]

Every once in a while a new idea comes along , changes the way we see quality . These are few and far between tho. Everything seems to have been done ,super strats,vintage reisues,new materials...done done done. I dont see anything here ,time will tell ,phil knows a good ax when he plays it

[@ontheroad579]

I wouldn't expect anything too groundbreaking from Solar. They just spec guitars which are made for them at an Indonesian factory. They seem to be very solid guitars though, which is pretty good.

[@casperboo5465]

Hey Phill, it looks and sounds Amazing, Yes Please do a full Review of it, Thank You, nice bit of playing, Cheers

[@MrYankeesfan]

Just ordered my first KYG classic tee! Can't wait for it to get here.

[@frank241973]

Great video as Always, would like to see a more detailed video of this Guitar, maybe compare It with other brands, where Is It made,.. p.s. would like to see a video on KZbin closing slap lick..

[@deanplayer69metalplayer89]

Those Solar guitars are nice man I'm going to have to check them out!!!

[@icedvengence3845]

Been waiting for this review. So far so good

[@blackoxygen3ify]

Duncan alnico 5 pickup is what they're based on. I've asked ola this in a members live stream

[@denisorourke4444]

How the hell did you get that finish??? Solar has nothing like that finish on any guitar on their website.

[@RafidMahbub]

That looks like a brand new car.