The Complete Guide to Choosing S by Solar Guitars

If you're looking for a modern electric guitar built for metal, hard rock and aggressive playing, S by Solar is a brand worth knowing.

Created by guitarist Ola Englund, S by Solar was developed as an extension of the Solar Guitar brand, with a specific goal: bringing the design experience and features behind Solar Guitars into a more accessible range for beginners, younger players and musicians looking for maximum value.

But with several body shapes, 6- and 7-string options, fixed bridges and Floyd Rose-equipped models, choosing the right S by Solar guitar can be confusing.

So, which one should you get?

In this guide, we'll explain what makes S by Solar guitars different, look at the main model families, explain the important specifications in simple terms, and help you choose the guitar that best fits your playing style.

What Is S by Solar?

S by Solar is a guitar brand created by Ola Englund, the guitarist and founder behind Solar Guitars.

While Solar Guitars was originally developed with advanced and professional players in mind, Ola wanted to create instruments that could give beginners and younger musicians access to the kind of features and design experience that had gone into Solar instruments.

The result was S by Solar: guitars designed to offer strong playability, aggressive styling and high-output performance at a more accessible price point.

The official S by Solar website describes the brand as an extension of Solar Guitars, focused on providing maximum-value heavy-metal instruments while retaining the detailed design and craftsmanship associated with the Solar name.

In other words, S by Solar isn't simply about making a guitar that looks metal. The instruments are designed around the requirements of players who want fast playability, powerful humbucking pickups and reliable hardware for heavier styles of music.

Why Choose an S by Solar Guitar?

There are plenty of electric guitars available for rock and metal players, so what makes S by Solar interesting?

Metal-focused design

The range is clearly designed with rock and metal players in mind. Depending on the model, you'll find aggressive body shapes, high-output ceramic humbuckers, 24-fret necks, fast-playing neck profiles and hardware designed for modern playing styles.

High-output humbuckers

Many S by Solar models use custom high-output ceramic humbuckers.

These pickups are designed to provide the punch and output that metal players typically want, making them well suited to high-gain amplifiers and heavily distorted tones.

Fast-playing necks

Many models feature 24 frets and a 25.5" scale, giving players extended upper-fret access and a familiar modern-metal feel.

Other models use a shorter 24.75" scale and 22 frets, offering a somewhat different playing experience.

A choice of styles

S by Solar isn't one single guitar shape.

The range includes the AB, EB, SB, TB, VB and XB families, as well as AB bass models.

That means you can choose the guitar not only according to its specifications, but also according to the shape and playing experience you prefer.

Understanding the S by Solar Model Families

The easiest way to understand the range is to look at the different body shapes.

S by Solar Type AB — The All-Rounder

The Type AB is described by S by Solar as its core standard model.

It's essentially the starting point for understanding the brand: a versatile, modern guitar with a familiar double-cutaway shape, designed around playability and high-output performance.

A typical AB4.6W, for example, features a 25.5" scale, 24 frets, a maple neck, purpleheart fingerboard, fixed bridge and two custom high-output ceramic humbuckers.

Who should choose the AB?

The AB is one of the easiest S by Solar models to recommend if you're not sure where to start.

Choose it if you want:

A versatile modern-metal guitar

A comfortable, familiar body shape

24 frets

Strong high-gain performance

A fixed bridge

A guitar suitable for everything from rock to modern metal

Our recommendation: If this is your first S by Solar and you don't have a specific body shape or bridge requirement in mind, the AB is an excellent place to start.

S by Solar Type EB — Classic Meets Modern

The Type EB takes a different approach.

According to S by Solar, the EB combines classic styling with modern metal-oriented features. Models such as the EB4.6W feature a mahogany body, 24.75" scale, 22 frets, rosewood fingerboard and high-output ceramic humbuckers.

The EB also uses a fixed bridge with a string-through-body design.

This makes it particularly interesting for players who want a guitar that can handle heavy music but don't necessarily want the more extreme appearance of some of the other S by Solar shapes.

Who should choose the EB?

The EB is a great choice if you want:

A more traditional-looking guitar

Strong rock and metal performance

A shorter 24.75" scale

A mahogany body

A fixed bridge

A balance between classic styling and modern performance

Our recommendation: If you're playing both classic rock and heavier styles and want a guitar that doesn't look overly extreme, the EB is worth considering.

S by Solar Type SB — Modern Metal Style

The Type SB takes the S by Solar concept in a more aggressive direction.

The current range includes SB models equipped with Floyd Rose-style tremolo systems, making this family particularly interesting for players who want to incorporate dive bombs, pitch effects and expressive tremolo techniques into their playing.

Who should choose the SB?

Consider the SB if you:

Want a more aggressive modern-metal appearance

Use the tremolo frequently

Want Floyd Rose-style functionality

Play lead guitar and use dive bombs or pitch effects

Prefer a more performance-oriented design

Our recommendation: If the tremolo is an important part of your playing, look at the SB models with Floyd Rose hardware.

S by Solar Type TB — A Different Take on the Metal Guitar

The Type TB gives you another body-shape option while retaining the metal-focused character of the S by Solar range.

Current TB models include 6-string versions such as the TB4.61C and TB4.61W.

The TB is worth considering for players who want something visually different from the more traditional AB while keeping the core S by Solar approach.

Who should choose the TB?

Choose the TB if:

You want a distinctive body shape

You want something different from a traditional double-cut guitar

You mainly play rock and metal

Appearance and stage presence are important to you

S by Solar Type VB — The V for Vicious

If you want a classic metal shape, the Type VB immediately stands out.

The official S by Solar website describes the VB as a classic metal design, with sharp contours, 24 jumbo frets, a fast full-access neck and high-output ceramic humbuckers.

The VB4.6W, for example, uses a 25.5" scale, 24 frets, mahogany body, rosewood fingerboard, fixed bridge and two passive high-output ceramic humbuckers.

Who should choose the VB?

The VB is for players who want:

A V-style metal guitar

Aggressive stage appearance

24-fret access

High-output humbuckers

A fixed bridge

A guitar that looks as metal as it sounds

Our recommendation: If you've always wanted a V-shaped guitar, the VB gives you the classic metal look without giving up the modern playability S by Solar is known for.

S by Solar Type XB — Maximum Metal

At the extreme end of the range is the Type XB.

The official S by Solar website describes the XB as its most X-Treme shape, inspired by the Solar Type X.

The XB4.6C features a mahogany body, 24.75" scale, 22 frets, rosewood fingerboard, two high-output ceramic humbuckers and a TOM/string-through bridge.

This isn't a guitar designed to disappear into the background.

It's made for players who want a striking instrument that immediately communicates its heavy-metal identity.

Who should choose the XB?

Choose the XB if:

You want the most aggressive S by Solar shape

You love extreme metal aesthetics

You prefer a fixed bridge

You want strong high-gain performance

You want a guitar that stands out on stage

Our recommendation: If the shape is what attracted you to S by Solar in the first place, the XB is one of the most distinctive options in the range.

Which S by Solar Guitar Should You Buy?

Here's a simple way to narrow it down:

If you want...	Consider...
An all-round S by Solar	AB
A classic-looking rock/metal guitar	EB
A more aggressive modern design with tremolo options	SB
A distinctive metal body shape	TB
A V-shaped metal guitar	VB
The most extreme metal design	XB
A bass version	AB Bass

Of course, the exact specifications vary between individual models, so always check the specifications of the specific guitar you're considering.

Fixed Bridge or Floyd Rose?

One of the biggest decisions you'll make when choosing a metal guitar is the bridge.

Fixed Bridge

A fixed bridge is generally the simpler option.

The strings remain anchored at the bridge, and tuning and string changes are typically straightforward.

If you mainly use:

Rhythm guitar

Chugging

Heavy riffs

Drop tunings

Standard tuning

Recording

a fixed bridge can be an excellent choice.

For many players, especially beginners, we'd recommend starting with a fixed bridge unless they specifically want tremolo effects.

Floyd Rose / Tremolo

A Floyd Rose-style system allows you to manipulate pitch using the tremolo arm.

This is useful for techniques such as:

Dive bombs

Flutter effects

Pitch bends

Aggressive lead-guitar effects

But there's a trade-off: floating tremolo systems generally require more attention when changing strings and balancing the system.

Our advice: Don't choose a Floyd Rose simply because it looks more advanced. Choose it because you actually want to use the tremolo.

6-String or 7-String?

Another question you might have is whether you should buy a 6-string or 7-string.

6-String

For most players, a 6-string is the best starting point.

It's familiar, versatile and suitable for everything from classic rock to modern metal.

Choose a 6-string if you're:

A beginner

Moving from another standard guitar

Playing traditional rock and metal

Not sure whether you actually need the extra range

7-String

A 7-string adds an additional lower string, giving you more range for low-tuned riffs and modern metal.

It's especially useful for players who want:

Lower tunings

Extended-range riffs

Modern progressive metal

Djent-style playing

More range without constantly changing tuning

But if you don't specifically need the seventh string, don't feel that you need to buy one simply because you're playing metal.

For most players: start with a 6-string. Move to 7 strings when you have a reason to.

What Do the Guitar Specifications Actually Mean?

When looking at an S by Solar guitar, you may see specifications such as 25.5" scale, 24 frets, ceramic humbuckers and a 14" radius.

Here's what they mean.

Scale Length

Scale length is the distance between the nut and the bridge.

A 25.5" scale is common on modern electric guitars and provides a familiar feel with good string tension.

Some S by Solar models, such as the EB and XB, use a 24.75" scale instead.

Number of Frets

More frets give you access to higher notes.

Many S by Solar models offer 24 frets, which is particularly useful for lead players and modern metal techniques.

Other models, such as the EB4.6W and XB4.6C, use 22 frets.

Humbucker Pickups

Humbuckers are particularly popular in rock and metal because they provide a powerful, thick sound with good performance under high gain.

S by Solar uses high-output ceramic humbuckers on many of its models.

Passive Pickups

Many S by Solar models use passive pickups.

Unlike active pickups, passive pickups don't require a battery inside the guitar.

The exact sound depends on the pickup design, amplifier and effects chain, but high-output passive humbuckers can deliver plenty of power for modern metal.

Are S by Solar Guitars Good for Beginners?

Yes.

In fact, making quality instruments accessible to younger players and beginners was one of the reasons Ola Englund created the S by Solar brand.

The goal was to put the right tools in the hands of new players from day one, while benefiting from the experience gained through Solar Guitars.

That doesn't mean S by Solar guitars are only for beginners.

Their combination of high-output pickups, fast-playing necks, extended fret access and metal-focused designs also makes them suitable for experienced players.

The important thing is choosing the right model for your playing style.

S by Solar vs. Solar Guitars

One question we often hear is:

"What's the difference between S by Solar and Solar Guitars?"

The easiest way to understand it is positioning.

Solar Guitars was originally developed with advanced and professional players in mind. S by Solar was created to make the design philosophy and experience behind Solar more accessible to beginners and younger musicians.

So rather than thinking of S by Solar as simply a cheaper Solar guitar, think of it as a range designed around value, accessibility and metal-focused performance.

Which S by Solar Is Right for You?

Still not sure?

Here's our quick recommendation:

"I want one guitar that can do almost everything."
→ Type AB

"I like classic guitar shapes but I play metal."
→ Type EB

"I want a Floyd Rose and use the tremolo for lead playing."
→ Look at the SB or AB Floyd Rose models.

"I want something unusual and aggressive."
→ Type TB

"I want a V."
→ Type VB

"I want the most extreme-looking guitar possible."
→ Type XB

"I'm a beginner and don't know where to start."
→ Start with an AB and choose a fixed bridge unless you specifically want a tremolo.

Find Your S by Solar at Musical Buddies

S by Solar offers something particularly appealing to modern guitar players: you don't have to sacrifice aggressive design and metal-focused features simply because you're looking for a more accessible-priced instrument.

From the versatile AB to the classic EB, the aggressive SB and TB, the iconic VB and the extreme XB, there's an S by Solar shape for different types of players.

The most important thing is not choosing the most expensive or most extreme model.

It's choosing the guitar that matches your playing style, your preferred shape, your tuning, and the techniques you actually use.

At Musical Buddies, we're happy to help you choose the right S by Solar guitar based on your experience, playing style and budget.

Explore our S by Solar collection and find your next guitar.

https://musicalbuddies.shop/collections/s-by-solar

S by Solar Guitars at Musical Buddies

Looking for an S by Solar guitar in Lebanon?

Browse the available S by Solar models at Musical Buddies, or contact our team if you're unsure which one is right for you.

Whether you're buying your first serious electric guitar or adding another metal machine to your collection, we'll help you find the right fit.

Musical Buddies — Your Music. Your Sound. Your Buddies.