MY SOLAR GUITAR WAS NOT WELL...

Finally got my Solar guitar back. People have been asking, and well... here's what happened. Fortunately all is well with it now and I can't thank my guitar tech over at Motor City Guitar enough for taking on this project, especially doing it as a favor. Wow!!! Now that the guitar is back and better than ever, it can go back to business. Thanks again to everyone over at Motor City, and to all of you guys here on the channel for your amazing continued support. Thank you all!!!
Unboxing video of this guitar:
• A VERY Emotional Unbox...

[@MotorCityGuitar]

Thank you Kevin, we're really glad Scott was able to dial in your Solar and help make it the monster it was built to be for you! You and Ola are both huge assets to the metal guitar community, you guys give us all a ton of inspiration, honest info and awesome free entertainment, glad to be able to help give something back to you! 🤘

[@Schatje79]

Shops like yours are what make musicians so happy and relieved knowing that it's not the end of the world when things go wrong (really wrong at times) with our gear. Honest, quality work would be enough but when folks like you and yours go above and beyond for people....there's no feeling quite like it. Took me yeaaaars to find a mechanic for my car that I feel comfortable coming back to for the rest of my life and finally found a shop of the same quality for my guitars. It takes so much stress off knowing "I got a guy/gal" who can handle these situations.

[@simonbelmont0993]

Massive props to you guys for being so cool to Kevin. As I'm sure you know, he's one of the most humble, horn-throwing gym bros out there. If I lived in your area you would absolutely get my business. Cheers!

[@wormfost5578]

That’s really rad of you guys to do. Warms my black heart! 🤘

[@MrDrop442]

Gonna have to check you guys out didn't even know about your shop and you guys aren't far at all from me I'm located in Mt Clemens.

[@coconutfleetsleeper5717]

♡♡♡

[@Tomekkplk]

We need more dudes in the guitar community like this guy

[@mylogify]

We need also epilepsy warning before the video.

[@LeftHandedRightHanded]

We need more dudes like this in the pit

[@TheGazza83]

We need more dudes like this in general

[@tankuxslol998]

The intro makes me sick 😵‍💫

[@rhodeislandfirearmsownersl9916]

​@@TheGazza83 bingo!

[@bimscutney1242]

I really like your perspective on the problems with the guitar. You decided it was your problem to fix and didn’t throw Ola under the bus. Says a lot about you.

[@BasedHyperborean]

BUT ALSO: I'm definitely not gonna buy anything made by Solar now, based on this review. This is like a $2,000 guitar. This many issues is just inexcusable. It's cool that Ola gave it to him for free, but none of the rest of us are getting that deal lol. Unless Solar guitars pop up in stores and I can extensively play them beforehand, I won't be buying one. This is wild.

[@iLLuzion1st]

@@BasedHyperborean for real, he just came out with the X type and im straight drooling over it but no way could i spend that money without knowing for sure. I cant imagine resale value is good on a guitar that has a cracked fretboard and logo peel and sprouting fret ends and warped necks.

[@aniquinstark4347]

​@@BasedHyperboreanOn the other hand I do appreciate that Solar sent him a random guitar instead of hand picking a perfect one. I'm a lot more likely to believe this was a random fluke than when companies like Donner send guitars for review that are always perfect despite being $200 or less.

[@InfiniteDesign91]

Solar is sold under Thomann in europe. You can send back the guitar and get a new one. However, I wouldn't buy solar either. I don't want that hassle.

[@BecomingProductions]

By making this video thats exactly what he did. Its well known Solar had quality issues during lockdown which I believe they have addressed since. This video is released just now about a guitar issued during that time, also a guitar that was given free as a gift. If you dont think thats throwing Ola under the bus I dont know what is.

[@The_Excellence_Channel]

Scott's attention to detail and labor transparency is worth every penny. I had a similar fret level issue on an fairly new LTD arctic metal I was having trouble setting up and he spent a ton of time getting that guitar perfect. The wait was absolutely worth it. His fretwork is impeccable. Motor City Guitar is awesome and can't recommend them enough.

[@wisteriahill7584]

My fairly new LTD 7 string had horrific fretwork and needed a level and crown right out of the box. Really disappointing to be honest. Cool guitar but the qc was not good.

[@Tzalmavet]

@chris_buck202 Claim these nuts.

[@BaronVonDuvel]

Ola should invite you for the "coffee with Ola" he started! Two down to earth dudes with sick skills and tones! 🤘

[@SteveSmallwoodthemachine]

I want collab song with Kevin and Ola!

[@aidandix7296]

Honestly your channel feels like one if the most honest channels in the entire online community and you seem like a genuinely awesome guy so keep it up! I always love seeing your videos on my feed and I'll watch as many as I can

[@j_c_93]

I'm sick of most other guitar channels at this point. Every video feels like a commercial on the other ones.

[@aidandix7296]

@@j_c_93 yeah and the only time they aren't an ad they're in some sort of drama, which just gets soo tiring

[@JayLee-od8ob]

Kev: I'm going to riff out a bit and show you what this thing sounds like. Comes in absolutely crushing. That was so heavy my eyes are bleeding.

[@captainchaos8701]

You seem like a stand up dude. Way to give props to all those who helped, and focused on the positives!

[@edtlonsway]

I'd offer Ola would want to know how the guitar is not meeting expectation. At this point he's a businessman and wants to ensure his instruments are not failing. Asking for a new one may not be the right move but if it was my company I would want to know. Love you gave props to your local store and Tech; very cool. Hope it works for years to come!

[@TheMirrorify]

You're a really honest likeable dude. I enjoy this channel a lot.

[@LicksoftheLegend]

The comments on this video giving credit to Scott and talking about how the guitar community needs more guys like Kevin gives me hope for the guitar community.

[@C-Ro]

A mountain of a man, brutal guitar playing, but so humble, grateful and down to earth. Great to see something like that still today. Keep it up! Fun fact: Just yesterday I saw a video of Ola telling me that he sent you this guitar.

[@Flippinloon]

You are the most humble dude I watch on KZbin so down to earth and honest it’s so refreshing ❤

[@hsojfarren8830]

You mean a lot to us, Kevin! Thank you!

[@corycourtney8923]

Just wanted to say I'm really impressed with how far the production on your tracks has come since the early days. The playing has always been there, but it's so awesome to hear it with a great mix and tone. Glad everything worked out with the guitar too.

[@Thesongstaysthesame]

The online community needs more guys like Kev! Solid dude. Literally.

[@PooNinja]

Having a good luthier is an invaluable asset.

[@justgivenofox9543]

Kevin, I’m so glad Ola and your luthier were able to help you out with your guitar. People doing favors for others, and then those others sharing their experiences, really makes me strive to take care of the people around me. Take care of people and they’ll take care of you. Amazing playing at the end brother, glad you love the guitar for what it’s supposed to be

[@patrikzarkovic289]

One of the hardest channels on KZbin.

[@jefferybradford5936]

Marty and the crew at Motor City are the best guys around hands down. Marty is always willing to just talk bands and even show off his blues and rock knowledge is asked how to do something. I stop in every chance I get. Now that I live in Florida I go when I’m in town to see family

[@GuitarGuy4647]

Same - I live in FL now but I’m from the area originally. I’ll definitely check these guys out next time I visit.

[@Nightbreed82]

That's an incredible story, so glad it worked out for you. And that jam at the end is absolutely crushing....so sick! RESPECT \m/

[@BadWallaby]

Kevin is a fucking KZbin guitar OG in the truest sense. So glad to see you still pursuing your passion dude!

[@puddleduckist]

Wow, what a story! Nice to know there's still nice honest folks in the world like you guys! This is one wicked guitar! Looks so freakin sinister! Love the suffocation shirt!!!! Rock on 🤘 Kevin!!!

[@joshsmith7033]

You have to get a certain evertune that supports drop G. There are different versions of the evertune to support different tunings. The standard one which was probably in yours only supports up to drop B with 10 gauge strings. You can get around it by changing string gauges.

[@89design9]

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[@joshsmith7033]

@@89design9 huh?

[@stealingtomorrowband]

I've seen a lot of videos with the quality of Solar some seem hit or miss... I'd love to try 1 but not interested in taking a risk of good or bad. I am mainly a bassist myself and i have bass that needed some work. It's a 2003 model ibanez that i mistreated 1 day and busted the headstock I couldn't find anyone in my area to fix and ended up watching what seemed like hundreds of repair videos and repaired it on my own. The bass means more to me than anything because my father bought it and he passed away 3 years ago. I was afraid to mail it out to a repair shop... Glad you was able to get your guitar fixed and in action....

[@PaddyBoyBKLYN]

Thats soo awesome how everything worked out for you. God bless ya bro

[@Psypher169]

You’re one lucky guy!! First Ola gives you this AWESOME gift, then the Luthier give you the assist on taking care of your Axe. Just wow! I wish I could get as lucky hahaha I have 2 out of commission guitars due to lack of funds that mean so much to me that I still have them around even though I can’t play them anymore

[@jeffreybonaventure6981]

I’m glad you were able to get that guitar in tip top shape and write some brutal ass riffs on it. It’s nice to read through the comments and see nothing but positivity and support. Keep up the brutal riffage!!

[@clamdigr]

I'm glad Scott got you squared away Keven, I hear nothing but great things about his work. I have a '91 Jackson Dinky that I'd like him to rejuvenate one of these days. We're very lucky to have a place like Motor City Guitar near by.

[@BozKiller]

huuuh, that's great riffing there! love that kickass and massive sound!

[@VapnFagan]

Solar is slowly turning into the next Chapman...

[@The_Cadaver]

Hell yeah. Glad you got your axe rippin' proper. Killer intonation!!!!!

[@SATANdy]

As someone from the midwest, I appreciate how humble and positive you are.

[@mudhead6101]

Scott from Motor City set up a Tele I recently bought. You are right - he is a wizard. It play so amazingly now. I will always go to Scott and Motor City for everything I need.

[@moonboogien8908]

Hell yeah, Motor City Guitar is awesome. I used to live like 5 minutes away, used to go there all the time. Just shoot the shit. So much gear to look at. Moved up north a few years ago, but I miss it already.

[@Corey_42]

I work in Wixom and have been wanting very much to stop in at Motor City Guitar ; so much to see there . Thanks Kevin for reminding me. My visit will come soon I'm sure. I live west and just don't have the time or energy unfortunately. Holy crap awesome playing cheers corey

[@Sharper_Than_Most]

We need more fellas like you around bro!! I would safely go on a limb and say Ola woulda taken care of it if it had came to that!! Ola stands fully behind these instruments!! Just glad you got it worked out! Now shred the shit outta this thing🤘🤘🤘

[@89design9]

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[@RobsMemoryLane]

Kevin is jacked! Every rock musician should strive to be as massive as Kevin. Manowar album art style

[@albertmarkethinkpr1325]

Yup, not buying a Solar. Thanks for sharing Kevin! ESP all the way.

[@ChernobylAudio666]

You deserve it chief - glad the guitar was fixed up and it's a monster in your hands. Cheers! \m/

[@blackblurable]

Oh shit I found you on KZbin too. I’m glad you’re guitar got fixed or patched up. It’s hard finding a place where you honestly take a breath. Knowing you left it in good hands and will eventually return to yours better and ready to go. Props to your guitar buddy and for making content.

[@metsat8ll]

low humidity will definitely cause the wood to shrink, the neck to warp and develop cracks on the finish where the fret-ends will push out of the wood due to shrinkage. i keep a moist sponge in a bag in my guitar case because of this. my solar's neck warped and started buzzing on some frets, and the fret-ends started poking out the side a bit. the problem fixed itself after increasing the humidity in the case I stored it in. also, you can't use just any strings you want with Evertune - they have to be the correct gauge for the tuning you want to use, because the tension on the bridge has to be correct (there are fine-tuned counterbalance springs inside the bridge).

[@IShredESP]

I’m a big fan of Ola and I like Solar Guitars but man… their 2020 models had horrible QC issues. I had a 2020 S1.6 and it had so many problems I had to sell it. The fretboard was cracked from the 5 to the 13 fret. The frets were starting to sprout. The Solor logo on the headstock was peeling off and other issues. Hopefully I’ll get a new one some day but for now I will wait for them to improve.

[@nikposada0824]

Dude I think its your badass cool personality and the overall positive individual that you are is what makes these special moments happen to you, like the gift from Ola, and this guy giving you a free TLC, etc. You deserve all that shit bro you really do. Looking forward for more heavy shit, gym and guitar dont matter💪😈🤘

[@ThrillHouse666]

This man only plays the heaviest of metals! Good shit man! I'm glad they were able to hook you up with the great service!! Killer tracks at the end to!!

[@kcrich1310]

Those were some badass riffs. You Practically have a badass song there........

[@dabest70]

Badass Suffocation shirt btw , those are my bro's , drove from Seattle to Portland this last Sat. to hang with them on their bus , last time they were here in Seattle we hung out in the Hotel they had , you have a Sick collection of GuitFiddles and killer riffs as well !

[@jtrussell2179]

Motor City Marty is a great dude. Been buying gear from him since the 90’s when he was in the LITTLE plaza in Waterford.

[@sharronhumphries6727]

Absolutely sick riffs brother !!!.

[@diarrhea_splatter]

I'm glad to see that good is following good. You have a special guitar dude

[@mikefrombloodofthewolf7076]

Great video. I was curious about this guitar. I'm glad you did this. Crushing riffs as always!!! We need a full-length!!!

[@scottdahlberg4890]

We all love you Kevin, like a brother. Just keep digging your pick into the strings and keep jamming. I would have done the same for you if I worked on it. It is the reason I work on all my equipment. The small town I live in has only one music store and it is dying. Thye barley have half their lights on inside. Back in 1993 they were always busy, then the internet came and guitar center and etc.... Changed it all for local Mom & Pop shops.

[@SnipySnob]

Love that after a decade of watching you, your level of gratitude and humility has only grown deeper. Really nice of Scott and the guys at MCG to take care of you. Always paying it forward baby! \m/

[@riverdragonmarineservice441]

I haven't been down to see Scott and Marty in a few years, I need to swing down there soon.

[@akasgsvirgil9503]

Three class moves made for a great story and a great outcome! Much respect to the luthier at Motor City Guitar.

[@mainelyretro]

It’s great to see someone who is into Death Metal get a good following. Keep shredding. Guitar sounds great.

[@kevinkerekes]

So happy for you that you got that guitar into perfect shape. Keep on killin it man!

[@j.boogie1646]

Motor city guitar Rocks . Scott their amp guy saved my 1969 amp v-4 , awesome place and awesome people ... Great info on the solar also ...🤘

[@MrHappy702]

Perfect gym music! Should make a gym centric album geared for us that train!

[@bradymaclean8685]

You're a legend, Kev. Your passion for guitars and metal is always inspiring

[@ph0kused]

Its rare to see a guitar channel that gets a gifted guitar from an even larger youtube channel brand share some honest criticism on the gear and handle it yourself, makes me wish more brands would gift you guitars because i take your feedback seriously even more now, good on you bro, and your luthier scott!🤙 side note if ola ever makes the inlay smaller and just on the 12th fret, it might solve some fretboard issues. Its overly big for my taste, and it makes sense hes pushing roasted maple, lower shrinkage for the massive ola logo.

[@METALDEMON502]

I'm really diggin that Rhoads in the background. \m/

[@MFKR696]

Best trick with Evertunes, I find, is to set them right between "zone 2" and "zone 3" (tune it until it starts going sharp, and then back it off). That way it stays in tune, but you can still bend. Tis a little trick I learned from Devin Townsend. When it comes to setting up the bridge itself, it's not all that different from setting up a floating Floyd. Just have to get the spring-tension dialed in to match the tuning/string-gauges you're aiming for

[@ryankuhn926]

Ghaaaat dayum! Those riffs are killer. I’m all fired up now while having my morning coffee and over loaded cream cheese bagel FTW!🤘🏻🫡

[@MrDrop442]

Bro you're in Michigan? Kick ass man. I'll have to go check out that guitar tech I have a few things I want done with a few of my guitars that I honestly just don't have the time or energy to do. Mt Clemens guy sending you some love.

[@smashville2897]

Scott is amazing. He set up and swapped a few of my guitars. Motor city guitar is ONE thing I miss about living in michigan. From Milford michigan. They guy that works on amps is amazing also. Wanna say his name is Art. I bought a VHT Pitt bull head off EBay and when I got it home and plugged in I got nothing. Took it to Motor city guitar dude did his magic and a week later that thing screamed. The whole motor city staff and associates are amazing.

[@matk4731]

That is Awesome! Sounds great. 🤘🏼🤘🏼Thanks for sharing 👍🏻👍🏻🙃🙃

[@wtwolverine16]

Didn't realize you were in Michigan dude! Resident of Waterford here. Been going to Motor City Guitar for over 20 years. Would MUCH rather have my hard earned money go to a local business than some big chain music store. Glad to hear Marty took care of you. Shred on man. 🤙

[@jplamarre]

I have the exact same guitar and had issues that made it unplayable as well (particularly not being able to tune the 7th string). I finally resolved all them and must say I love this guitar so much. It has so much features and is so comfortable. I hope you enjoy it as well!

[@protolexis]

I just want to say that I’m a massive Ola fan and have been watching him since 2011. That said, I’ve had nothing but trouble with the two Solars that I purchased a couple years back. The first one had a paint blemish and they gave me $50 back even though I wasn’t super happy with that resolution. The second problem I had was with another Solar (funny enough it also had ET) where the Fishman neck pickup was completely dead. I waited 3 months for this guitar only to receive it with a dead pickup, which they eventually replaced. For the $1500 I paid for that second guitar you’d think Solar would also do some basic QC before shipping it out, but nope! I don’t care how good their guitars look, their QC is a joke and I have since sold both my Solars and I will never waste my money on that brand again.

[@shaharbar]

The fretwork on mine was total shit, they stuck out like razors on both sides of the board. I mentioned that to Ola on a live chat, but he didn't seem to care. For one grand its not exactly custom instrument level, but quality should be better.

[@MrPantera123456]

I’m a guitar tech. I have been for 20 years. I’ve worked for a few stores, bands and run my own shop. I’ve done quality control for a store and I had thousands upon thousands of guitars go through my hands. Unfortunately the problems you mentioned exist with every single manufacture. Whether it’s Gibson, Suhr,, Solar, ESP etc……. Quality control now is even worse then ever. Fender is the absolute worst. Utter garbage. And what makes it worse is that they come with a QC card from the factory signed by 5 different people who approved different aspects of the guitar. Then you go to tune it and every string sounds like a sitar because of how poorly the nut is cut. Shecter has some of the worst fretwork ever. I could go on and on. The point being, I’ve worked on some really great Solars and some really shit Gibsons. And visa versa. The sad reality of buying guitars.

[@pz1792]

@@MrPantera123456 Even japanese ESP's?

[@protolexis]

@@MrPantera123456 ok so moral of the story is buy a Kiesel, got it.

[@MrPantera123456]

@@protolexis no. Sadly I’d say don’t buy online. That’s the first thing. Second thing is either being a buddy who knows his shit along to a store while you try guitars and have him inspect whichever you like for issues. Every brand has issues. But buying online is the ultimate risk.

[@hsguitars4828]

I'd be curious to know more about what the issues with the Evertune were. Im working towards becoming an official installer of them and like to know as much as possible anyway. The few that I've dealt with have been flawless. As far as the fret sprout (sharp fret ends) that should really be expected for any of us living in colder areas where the guitars might live in a house that has heat running for half of the year haha. I've had issues with almost every guitar I've owned in my current house (including ones Ive built), except for a 15 year old LTD that had probably been through all of the wood shrinkage it was going to experience in its lifetime.

[@dumpsterfireaf]

Glad to see you enjoying to play it. Great people left in this world still.

[@aegistechreviews7410]

[@CIRCLEOFTONE]

Lol the riffage is gonzo fast. Love it.

[@bizzski]

Love Motor City Guitar. That place is awesome.

[@ironsave3201]

You seem like a cool and definitely genuine dude. Thanks for your content. 🤘🏻

[@PanamaJack666]

Kevin deserves all the success he's had and more! Totally humble and incredibly talented!

[@damienhelmold6978]

I remember when you got this thing. Dope that it's all fixed up now. You inspire me so much to keep going. Thank you Kevin.

[@89design9]

Bot

[@Rebar77_real]

Cool of them to service it pro boner. Well I mean, I know I'd be hard while working on it too. Sick riff!🤘

[@blazesmith8111]

Man I was just at motor city guitar last weekend for the first time.awesome

[@reyhemj6668]

Dude we love you

[@GuitarGuy4647]

Your such a cool dude. I’ll be sure to give Motor City some business next time I visit home.

[@a.g.4843]

Hi there from germany! You’ve got nice muscles and guitars! Makes me envious :)

[@BagelMachine]

Making the things that are given to you better is honorable

[@Cyberchase]

Shoot, I had no idea you went to motor city guitar!! they always do great work. Its less than 10 minutes from my house so I am there pretty often. I'm glad you got those issues fixed.

[@nkogliaz]

Man, there are just waves of people having problems with Solar guitars over the last year or so, it seems like every time I turn around anymore, someone is writing on the forums or making a KZbin video about a myriad of issues they are having with them, while looking into it I've seen Solar is addressing the issues for the most part (at what seems to be a turtle pace), Ola for the most part is silent publicly about it however from what I've seen so far, I like the dude and his guitars, but it seems like they're having a plethora of QC issues over at the factory where they are being produced, it makes me very reluctant to pursue a Solar guitar, hell I've got an entire wall of Ibanez guitars that were all made in Indonesia from 6 strings with hard tails and Floyds, all the way up to 7 and 8 strings, and I've never had issues to this degree with any of them (Sans the Ibanez RG8 8 Strings, and they literally did not mount the bridge far enough away from the nut for proper intonation to be achieved, you have to cut the saddle springs, or remove it altogether to get enough reach to properly intonate it, which is what I did), I hope Solar gets their issues under control, the frequency in these problems seems to be increasing at this point. Sick playing Kevin, cheers for the video, respect!

[@szymiblue]

Loved the demo, Kevin! Crushing sound \m/

[@matthewf1979]

Happy to see it back on the channel!

[@stephenbonshire5678]

You have an amazing and extremely unique style of playing. I don't know how u get those Huge fingers to move so fast!!! ( not a diss) lol 🤘💯🤘

[@misterringer]

Thanks for the honest feedback. I was heavily considering a Solar but I am also in the states and this makes me hesitant. Love the look of Solar's and really love his pickups. I believe your model was a pretty early run, but I have heard other people with similar complaints. Wonder how the build and QC stacks up now vs the early days.

[@89design9]

Wow that riff was sooooooo tasty How do you record and make your drum tracks???? I’m such an idiot when it comes to recording. Any help would be appreciated

[@IGun456]

Thank you,Kevin!!!

[@waywardsuol]

Cheers to a fellow dropped G bro from Texas!🎉

[@8KilgoreTrout4]

I'm new here, but that part about gratitude just had me like fuck yeah buddy!

[@BraveClam]

You're such a genuine guy Kevin, so refreshing in the community! Keep shredding dude! PS can you do a cover of ANY Necrophagist song for us, the community?!

[@nachogames6562]

Had no idea you were a local guy (to me). Much love brother.

[@tomijaroli8781]

That’s some sick nasty riffage man! I’m Happy for you to have it back set up properly!

[@NPC-30]

I'm would never _ever_ risk buying a Solar. The quality build is all over the place.

[@brubakersflatcakes9755]

There's good people out there. Love your channel, Kevin. Cheers.

[@keithamesj2147]

Hey that's cool man , I haven't seen much of you on KZbin since you unboxed that guitar 🎸