TEST: Solar Guitars A1.7C G2

 Sometimes you are proven wrong. Who hasn't asked themselves how many professional providers the guitar market still has room for? You would think that the commercial sector has long been covered, but every now and then you are surprised. For example, the company Solar Guitars, founded in 2017, managed to build up a steadily growing community of users through the now mainstream presence of extreme metal genres and the constant promotion by the Swedish owner and YouTuber Ola Englund, without it being possible to recognize a unique selling point at first glance. The test of the Solar Guitars A1.7C G2 should show to what extent there are some special features in the construction of the brand.

The construction of the Solar Guitars A1.7C G2

If you look at the artist page on the Solar Guitars website, the manufacturer's target group is clearly defined. From melodic power metal to grunting burp metal, everything that can be found under the style "metal" is combined. It is all the more surprising that the preferred body shape, in addition to the obligatory Explorer and Flying V shape, is reflected in the classic Powerstrat in the style of the Ibanez RG series. Perhaps portability also plays a role; anyone who has ever tried to transport something B.C. Rich-like without a suitable shaped case knows what I'm talking about.

The Solar Guitars A1.7C G2 presented for testing is visually comparatively understated, although the matte black finish in combination with 2 explicitly designed shapings in the cutaway area gives off a hint of sci-fi attitude. A quick look at the graphite nut width of 48 mm and the number of Solar Locking 18:1 tuners - this instrument is a 7-string guitar. An interesting move, as this type of instrument has steadily lost interest among users since its peak due to the hype surrounding the nu-metal band Korn in the mid-nineties. Anyone looking for a deep tone today either chooses a lower-tuned standard guitar, perhaps a baritone guitar, for reasons of clarity, or they jump on the Djent bandwagon and devote themselves to the haptic and harmonic challenge of an 8-string instrument.

The instrument, which has a retail price of 1,159 euros, is manufactured like many other competitors in the lower and middle price segment in Indonesia, which has long since overtaken China in guitar making. The relatively young company is said to have no shortage of choice; if you include all finish variants, left-handers and basses, you end up with an impressive selection of over 150 different models. How many of these are always available, however, can only be found out in your local shop.

Woods

When it comes to choosing wood, the company is very conventional. The instrument has a full-length maple neck, which is known to provide very good sustain and is a good addition to the Evertune bridge. The neck profile is described in the documentation as C, but in my opinion it is clearly a strong D, if only because a C in the 7-string range would bring with it some limitations in terms of the grip radius.

For anyone who is not yet familiar with the Evertune system, here is a very brief summary of how it works. The system is a bridge construction that is unique in the world and uses a complex spring construction to automatically keep the instrument in tune when perfectly adjusted. You can set the system so that it always holds the target note and thus ignores or compensates for bends, for example, or you can adjust the spring tension to the string tension so that bends can be taken into account.

In addition to the advantage that the system compensates for temperature and humidity fluctuations, it also has the advantage that inexperienced musicians who do not (yet) have control over the string pressure of their left hand still have a perfectly tuned guitar when recording, so that you can find one or more guitars with this system in almost every high-quality rental studio. The disadvantage of the system is that the extensive milling work means the instrument loses sustain and bends and vibratos feel a little more indirect than with a stop tailpiece, even when perfectly adjusted. In addition, setting up the system for the first time is very time-consuming and has to be done again every time the string thickness is changed.

To give the body the necessary shape, alder wings were glued on. To support the overall black finish, an ebony fingerboard was installed, which has 24 jumbo frets and fluorescent dot inlays on the sides. There are no inlays on the fingerboard, only the eye-catching Solar Guitars logo was placed on the 12th fret for marketing reasons. To give the low B string a more defined attack, the instrument was given an extra-long scale length of 673 mm, which slightly increases the string tension compared to the long standard scale length. The Solar Guitars A1.7C G2 has 2 humbuckers made by Seymour Duncan, which are controlled by a 5-way switch that is unfortunately a bit indirect and slightly wobbly. There is also a master volume and a master tone control

The Solar Guitars A1.7C G2 in practice

What is immediately noticeable when you first play it is the high weight despite the strong Evertune bridge cutouts and the associated weight reductions. At around 3.8 kg, the instrument is still a long way from the 80s Les Paul stick, but is well above the typical Powerstrat weight class, which is usually just over 3 kg. Nevertheless, the instrument is easy to handle, which is not least due to the good ergonomics. Apart from the pointed cutaway ends, the guitar has a "flowing" shape that has no corners or edges. The comparatively wide fingerboard is also easy to grip and offers a high level of playing comfort across the entire grip area.

As expected, users who explore an Evertune bridge on an instrument for the first time will meet it with a strong frown. In the factory setting, the instrument is set to "maximum tuning stability", which means that the guitar comes tuned out of the transport box and does not go out of tune during the entire playing time. What at first glance creates a real ecstasy of joy gives way to a panicked expression on the face when you hear the first leads. Bendings? Vibrato? Everything is dead! The tone stays where it is in terms of frequency, no matter what you do with the string. Only when you pull very hard does the tone suddenly jump to the next higher semitone, and then jump up a whole tone a millimeter further. It is not possible to evenly approximate the tone by pulling the strings.

In the interests of fairness, however, I must note that I personally own a VGS guitar with the Evertune system, which is set to "regular string pulling" and copes well with normal playing, separate from my 013-056 set of strings in standard tuning. However, I left the Solar Guitars A1.7C G2 in the factory setting, as changing the system to my needs takes several hours, but it's easy to do.

In terms of sound, the Solar Guitars A1.7C G2 covers everything you want, not only but primarily, in metal. The focus is on gain, more gain and high gain, especially since the classic palm muted attacks can be easily implemented thanks to the vibrato system-free bridge construction. The pickups also have a very strong treble component to further enhance the aggression of the sound. If you really just want to play the rhythm stick and have no ambition to thicken up your playing with expressive licks, you can get very far even with the factory setting of the Evertune bridge in the typical thrash etc. range, and you don't need to pay any attention to the grip culture of your fretting hand. However, depending on the key used, a problem arises, as is also known from undamped vibrato springs of a Floyd Rose vibrato system. If you hit it hard, you hit the resonance frequency of the Evertune springs, which sounds a bit like you were using a reverb spiral in addition. For me, it was the key of "E". You can hear very clearly at the end of sound file 04 how the springs continue to vibrate, even though all the strings are dampened.

The sound files were created with an Engl Savage MKII, a Marshall 412 cabinet with Celestion G75T and two Shure SM57s.

Conclusion

With the Solar Guitars A1.7C G2, the company around YouTuber Ola Englund has a good guitar with good components. The 7-string, which is designed to be "out of the bag", allows for relaxed playing in both the low and high frequency ranges and should satisfy every part of the hard'n'heavy faction. To what extent the Evertune Bridge System suits their own playing style or hinders it, each musician has to find out for themselves.

———————

Additional Informations:

The electric guitar has undergone countless transformations since its inception, each iteration aiming to push the boundaries of sound, playability, and aesthetics. Among these innovations, the Powerstrat stands out as a particularly significant development. Emerging in the late 20th century, the Powerstrat was designed to meet the evolving demands of rock and metal guitarists, combining the classic look and feel of the Fender Stratocaster with the power and versatility required for heavier music genres. This article delves into the origins, development, and impact of the Powerstrat, tracing its journey from concept to icon.

### The Genesis of a Hybrid Concept

The Fender Stratocaster, introduced in 1954, quickly became one of the most beloved and iconic electric guitars. Known for its sleek design, comfortable contours, and versatile sound, the Stratocaster was embraced by musicians across various genres. However, by the late 1970s and early 1980s, the rise of hard rock and heavy metal created new demands for higher output pickups, improved sustain, and more aggressive tonal options. Traditional Stratocasters, with their single-coil pickups and vintage-style tremolos, were often seen as lacking the power and durability required for these heavier styles.

The concept of the Powerstrat emerged from this context. It sought to retain the ergonomic advantages and aesthetic appeal of the Stratocaster while integrating features that catered to the needs of rock and metal players. This included the addition of humbucking pickups, advanced tremolo systems, and other modifications that enhanced the instrument’s versatility and performance.

### Early Experiments and Pioneering Models

The first significant step towards the Powerstrat came with the introduction of the Fender Stratocaster with humbucking pickups. In the late 1970s, Fender began experimenting with various pickup configurations, including models equipped with a single humbucker in the bridge position. These early models, such as the Fender Lead series, were designed to offer the higher output and thicker tone associated with humbuckers while maintaining the familiar Stratocaster shape and feel.

A crucial moment in the development of the Powerstrat was the collaboration between Fender and guitar virtuoso Eddie Van Halen. Although Van Halen is more commonly associated with his custom "Frankenstrat," his modifications to the Stratocaster platform, including the installation of a humbucker and a locking tremolo system, directly influenced the evolution of the Powerstrat. Van Halen’s innovative approach demonstrated the potential of combining traditional Stratocaster elements with modern, high-performance features.

### The Influence of Superstrats

In the 1980s, the guitar market saw the rise of "superstrats," a term used to describe modified Stratocaster-style guitars that featured advanced hardware and electronics designed for high-gain performance. Brands like Jackson, Charvel, and Ibanez led this movement, offering guitars with sleek, contoured bodies, fast neck profiles, and powerful pickups. These superstrats became the instruments of choice for many of the era’s top rock and metal guitarists, including Steve Vai, Joe Satriani, and George Lynch.

Fender, recognizing the popularity of superstrats, sought to capture this market by developing its own high-performance Stratocaster variants. This led to the creation of models like the Fender Contemporary Stratocaster and the Fender HM Strat, which incorporated features such as dual humbucking pickups, Floyd Rose locking tremolos, and sculpted neck heels for improved upper fret access. These models bridged the gap between traditional Stratocasters and the emerging superstrat trend, embodying the essence of the Powerstrat concept.

### The Powerstrat Emerges

The term "Powerstrat" itself is often used to describe Stratocaster-style guitars that incorporate high-output pickups and modern hardware. However, it was the introduction of the Fender Showmaster and the Fender American Deluxe series in the late 1990s and early 2000s that solidified the Powerstrat identity. These models were designed to offer the best of both worlds: the classic look and feel of a Stratocaster with the performance enhancements needed for contemporary rock and metal music.

The Fender Showmaster, in particular, was a significant milestone. It featured a set-neck construction (as opposed to the traditional bolt-on neck), high-output humbucking pickups, and a choice of fixed or Floyd Rose tremolo systems. The Showmaster’s design aimed to provide improved sustain, stability, and tonal versatility, making it a favorite among guitarists seeking a Stratocaster that could handle the demands of high-gain amplification and aggressive playing styles.

Similarly, the Fender American Deluxe series incorporated modern features such as noiseless pickups, S-1 switching systems for expanded tonal options, and contoured neck heels. These guitars were designed to offer professional musicians a versatile and reliable instrument that could excel in both studio and stage environments.

### Technical Innovations and Features

The defining characteristics of a Powerstrat include high-output pickups, advanced tremolo systems, and enhanced playability features. High-output pickups, particularly humbuckers, are essential for delivering the thick, powerful tone required for rock and metal music. These pickups are often paired with coil-splitting or series/parallel switching options to provide additional tonal flexibility.

Advanced tremolo systems, such as the Floyd Rose double-locking tremolo, are another key feature of the Powerstrat. These systems allow for extreme pitch manipulation while maintaining tuning stability, a crucial requirement for many modern playing techniques. The inclusion of locking nuts and fine tuners further enhances the reliability of these tremolo systems.

Enhanced playability features often include thin, fast neck profiles, jumbo frets, and contoured neck heels. These elements are designed to facilitate fast, technical playing and comfortable access to the upper frets. Additionally, the use of lightweight and resonant tonewoods helps to balance the instrument’s overall feel and sustain.

### Impact on the Guitar Industry

The introduction and evolution of the Powerstrat have had a profound impact on the guitar industry. By bridging the gap between traditional and modern design elements, the Powerstrat has expanded the versatility and appeal of the Stratocaster platform. This hybrid approach has influenced not only Fender but also other guitar manufacturers who have adopted similar design philosophies in their own instruments.

The success of the Powerstrat has also contributed to the ongoing popularity of the Stratocaster shape, ensuring its relevance in a wide range of musical genres. Guitarists who might have otherwise gravitated towards more specialized instruments have found that the Powerstrat offers a compelling combination of classic style and modern performance capabilities.

### Notable Players and Endorsements

Over the years, many notable guitarists have embraced the Powerstrat concept, contributing to its widespread acceptance and popularity. Eddie Van Halen’s influence cannot be overstated, as his modifications to the Stratocaster directly inspired the development of high-performance models. Other influential players include Yngwie Malmsteen, whose signature Stratocaster features scalloped frets and high-output pickups, and Richie Sambora, whose custom models have included dual humbuckers and Floyd Rose tremolos.

These endorsements have helped to showcase the versatility and capability of the Powerstrat, demonstrating its suitability for a wide range of playing styles and musical genres. The continued popularity of these instruments among professional musicians serves as a testament to their enduring appeal and effectiveness.

### Conclusion

The Powerstrat represents a significant chapter in the history of electric guitar design. By combining the timeless appeal of the Stratocaster with modern enhancements tailored for rock and metal music, the Powerstrat has carved out a unique and influential niche in the guitar world. Its development reflects the ongoing evolution of musical styles and the continuous quest for innovation in instrument design.

From its early experiments to its establishment as a recognized category of high-performance guitars, the Powerstrat’s journey is a testament to the adaptability and enduring relevance of the Stratocaster platform. As the music industry continues to evolve, the Powerstrat remains a powerful example of how tradition and innovation can coexist, offering musicians the best of both worlds in a single, versatile instrument.