Best Solar Guitars Heavy Guitars 2026
So you're hunting for a shred machine that doesn't sound like a budget axe? Been there. Solar Guitars have been quietly building a serious reputation for delivering high-end features and tone at a price point that doesn't require a second mortgage. They're not a household name yet, but if you're chasing that modern metal tone and need a guitar that can handle a serious gig, you owe it to yourself to check them out.
Last updated: September 7, 2026
Solar Guitars VAR2.6CLN Canibalismo
- • Alder body delivers a balanced, resonant tone with good sustain.
- • Duncan Solar humbuckers provide high-output, articulate tones suitable for metal.
- • Maple neck with a comfortable C profile and rosewood fretboard offers excellent playability.
- • String-thru-body design enhances sustain and tuning stability.
- • The 'Neon Canibalismo' finish might be polarizing; not everyone will love it.
- • At around 8.5 lbs, it's a hefty instrument – may be tiring for some.
- • While versatile, it's primarily geared toward heavier styles; clean tones are less inspiring.
Solar Guitars VAR1.6FRVC+
- • Alder body delivers a balanced, resonant tone with excellent sustain
- • Maple/Ebony neck provides a snappy feel and clear upper-midrange articulation
- • Duncan Solar+ pickups offer high-output, articulate crunch and clarity
- • Floyd Rose 1000 tremolo allows for extreme dive bombs and stable tuning
- • The Vacillator finish, while striking, can be prone to fingerprints and smudging
- • At around 8.5 lbs, it’s a substantial instrument and may be fatiguing for some players
- • The 3-way switch limits tonal flexibility compared to coil-splitting options
Solar Guitars AB2.7Blue Burst Thomann LTD
- • Solid mahogany body with flamed maple top
- • Stainless steel super jumbo frets
- • Dual humbucker pickups for thick tone
- • Fixed brass bridge locks tuning well
- • Heavy guitar due to solid mahogany body
- • Missing a master volume control knob
- • No listed neck radius for playability
Solar Guitars AB2.7Red Burst Thomann LTD
- • Solid mahogany body with attractive flamed maple top
- • Sturdy bolt-on maple neck with comfortable C profile
- • Heavy 24 super jumbo stainless steel frets for playability
- • Dual humbucker pickups deliver thick, powerful rock sound
- • No weight information listed in the description
- • Limited to a single fixed brass bridge design
- • Only one volume and one tone control available
Solar Guitars AB2.6Red Burst Thomann LTD
- • Solid mahogany body offers warm resonance
- • Flamed maple veneer adds visual appeal
- • Stainless steel frets last for decades
- • C Solar Thin neck profile plays well
- • Weight not listed for potential heaviness
- • No specific action specifications provided
- • Limited availability restricts access
Solar Guitars X1.7FRQBB+
- • Mahogany body paired with quilted maple top for solid resonance
- • Neck-through-body maple construction ensures consistent action
- • Ebony fingerboard provides smooth playability for heavy styles
- • Duncan Solar+ humbuckers deliver thick, powerful output
- • Weight not specified, likely heavy for long sessions
- • No active electronics or battery mentioned for modern use
- • 24 super jumbo frets may feel large for smaller hands
Solar Guitars VAR1.6FRGN
- • Alder body provides a balanced, resonant tone with good sustain
- • Maple/Ebony neck offers a fast, smooth feel and bright upper-mids
- • Duncan Solar pickups deliver high-output, articulate tones for modern genres
- • Floyd Rose 1000 tremolo allows for extreme dive bombs and stability
- • The neon green finish might be polarizing for some players
- • Ebony fingerboards can be quite dense and may require more hydration
- • The longer 648mm scale might feel unwieldy for players used to shorter scales
Solar Guitars SBR1.6VC+ Vacillator Gloss
- • Roasted maple neck offers exceptional stability and feel.
- • Duncan Solar+ pickups deliver a modern, high-output tone.
- • Evertune bridge guarantees consistent tuning, a real game-changer.
- • Ebony fingerboard provides a smooth, fast playing experience.
- • Alder body can make it feel a bit weighty for extended playing.
- • Plastic nut is a cost-saving measure, upgradeable for improved sustain.
- • The 5-way pickup switch limits tonal flexibility somewhat.
Solar Guitars A1.6FRCAR Sustaniac+
- • Sustainiac Stealth Pro neck pickup keeps notes ringing long
- • Floyd Rose 1000 tremolo allows easy bending and diving
- • Super Jumbo stainless steel frets feel smooth and bright
- • Candy Apple Red high-gloss finish looks striking and bold
- • No weight is listed so you cannot feel the heaviness
- • Only one tone control makes EQ adjustments limited
- • Locking nut setup might confuse new players initially
Solar Guitars AB1.6FRMNS Sustainiac+
- • Roasted maple neck offers exceptional stability and feel.
- • Duncan Solar+ bridge pickup delivers high-output, articulate tones.
- • Sustainiac Stealth Pro adds incredible harmonic sustain and versatility.
- • Floyd Rose 1000 provides reliable, wide-ranging tremolo action.
- • The alder body contributes to a slightly heavier feel for extended playing.
- • The single Duncan Solar+ pickup may limit tonal flexibility for some.
- • The roasted maple fingerboard can feel a little slick for some players.
Solar Guitars X1.6FRPN Canibalismo+
- • Alder body delivers a tight, focused low-end response.
- • Seymour Duncan Solar+ pickups provide high-output, articulate tones.
- • Ebony fingerboard offers a slick, fast playing experience and sustain.
- • Floyd Rose 1000 tremolo enables wide-ranging vibrato and dive bombs.
- • The pink neon finish might not appeal to all players' tastes.
- • The 24.75” scale can feel a little cramped for players with larger hands.
- • The single volume control limits tonal shaping options.
Solar Guitars X1.6Coroner
- • Alder body provides a balanced, resonant foundation.
- • Fishman Fluence pickups deliver articulate, high-output tones.
- • Ebony fingerboard offers exceptional clarity and speed.
- • Gotoh tremolo ensures reliable tuning stability under vibrato.
- • Neck-thru design may increase susceptibility to neck twisting.
- • Limited pickup voice options despite push/pull functionality.
- • The heavier build might be fatiguing for some players.
Solar Guitars A1.61FR Assassin
- • Seymour Duncan Nazgul delivers aggressive high-output, modern metal tones.
- • Ebony fingerboard offers exceptional clarity and a slick, fast playing experience.
- • Neck-thru design provides excellent sustain and a comfortable, smooth transition.
- • GOTOH GE1996T tremolo system is reliable and offers smooth, accurate tuning.
- • Carbon matte finish can be prone to fingerprints and requires diligent cleaning.
- • Neck-thru design can make neck adjustments slightly more complex for some players.
- • The aggressive Nazgul pickup might limit versatility for cleaner, vintage tones.
Solar Guitars A1.6SVART+
- • Alder body provides a balanced, resonant foundation for the pickups
- • Ebony fingerboard offers exceptional clarity and speed for effortless playing
- • Duncan Solar+ pickups deliver high-output, articulate tones with surprising clarity
- • Evertune bridge guarantees consistent tuning stability under any playing condition
- • The alder body combined with the stainless steel frets results in a noticeably heavier instrument
- • The 'C' neck profile might not suit players preferring a flatter or vintage feel
- • While versatile, the humbucker configuration leans towards heavier genres; clean tones are possible but not a strong suit
Solar Guitars V2.6C
- • Mahogany body delivers thick, warm sustain and powerful low-end response
- • Seymour Duncan Solar pickups offer high-output, articulate tones for modern styles
- • Maple neck with rosewood fingerboard provides comfortable playability and balanced feel
- • Solar machine heads with 18:1 ratio ensure precise and stable tuning
- • Mahogany body contributes to a noticeably heavier feel, potentially fatiguing for some players
- • Rosewood fingerboard may require more frequent oiling to prevent dryness
- • Aesthetic is quite dark; limited color options may not appeal to all
Every heavy guitars that matches
20 models match this page. The 15 above are covered in detail; the rest are listed here with their published specifications.
| # | Model | Specifications | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16 | Solar Guitars A2.6C | Nut width 43 mm (1.69") · Scale 647 mm (25.47") · Neck profile C-shape neck · Body Mahogany body · Fingerboard Ebony fingerboard | $929 |
| 17 | Solar Guitars E1.6AAN Aged Natural Matte | Nut width 43 mm (1.69") · Scale 629 mm (24.76") · Neck profile C-shape neck · Body Alder body | $1,858 |
| 18 | Solar Guitars V2.6Canibalismo+ | Nut width 43 mm (1.69") · Scale 648 mm (25.51") · Neck profile C-shape neck · Fingerboard Ebony fingerboard | $1,161 |
| 19 | Solar Guitars X2.6FRGN+ | Scale 629 mm (24.76") · Fingerboard radius 350 mm (13.78") · Body Mahogany body · Fingerboard Ebony fingerboard | $1,393 |
| 20 | Solar Guitars A2.6 LN | Nut width 43 mm (1.69") · Scale 648 mm (25.51") | $987 |
Heavy Guitars by the numbers
Measured across all 268 models in this category, so «wide», «short» or «expensive» mean something you can check.
How to Choose the Best Heavy Guitars
Neck Profile & Playability
Solar's neck profiles are consistently comfortable - often a thin C or D shape - making them a joy to shred on. The action is generally low and easy to set up, which is crucial for fast playing without fret buzz. It's a noticeable step up from some of the chunkier necks you find on cheaper instruments.
Pickups & Tone Voicing
Let's be honest, a lot of 'metal' guitars sound brittle and harsh. Solar's pickups (often Fishman Fluence or Bareknuckle) are voiced for modern high-gain tones - think tight, articulate lows, a defined midrange that cuts through the mix, and a searing high-end without the ice-pick quality. They handle drop tunings surprisingly well, too.
Build Quality & Hardware
The build quality is genuinely impressive for the price. You're getting roasted maple necks (usually 5-piece), mahogany bodies (often chambered for weight relief - a must for serious gigging), and solid hardware like Hipshot tuners and Floyd Rose locking tremolos. It's a level of attention to detail you don't always see.
Aesthetic Design & Customization
Solar's designs are striking, often featuring unique color combinations and finishes. They offer a ton of customization options, from pickup choices to hardware finishes, allowing you to build a guitar that's truly your own. It's a nice touch that separates them from the more generic-looking instruments out there.
Sustain & Resonance
The combination of mahogany bodies and roasted maple necks contributes to excellent sustain. You can really feel the resonance when you dig in with a pinch harmonic, and the guitar responds well to percussive playing. It's a vital factor for modern metal tones where note decay is part of the character.
Buying Guide
Look, you're not buying a vintage collectible here. Solar guitars are built for playing, not for sitting on a shelf. The lower-priced models (J series) are still fantastic value, but be aware that the finish might not be quite as flawless as the higher-end A series. Pay attention to the neck radius - some players prefer a flatter radius for shredding, while others like a more vintage feel. Ultimately, it's about finding a model that fits your hand and your tone.
How This List Is Built
We don't play these instruments — we're a catalog, not a review desk, and we'd rather say so than pretend otherwise. This page covers 20 of 268 heavy guitars from the Thomann catalogue, which is the largest single source of specification data in this category: 15 in detail, the rest listed with their specifications.
Position is computed, not curated. We parse the manufacturer's own description into actual values — nut width, scale, fret count, fingerboard radius, size, alloy — and rank on them: how many specifications a model has published, how many of them are measurable numbers, and how precisely it meets this page's criterion. A product image adds a little. Price is not a ranking signal: it tells you nothing about whether a neck fits your hand. The same inputs always produce the same order, so nothing here is shuffled to look fresh.
What this list is good for: narrowing a category down to a shortlist by spec and budget. What it isn't: a substitute for hearing an instrument. Before you buy, read hands-on reviews and, where you can, play it. Full methodology.