Solar
Since 2017
Solar Guitars was founded in 2017 by Swedish YouTube guitarist Ola Englund, who plays in The Haunted and Feared. Frustrated by traditional guitar industry distribution models that delayed products by a year, Englund built Solar as a direct-to-consumer brand. Launching with 300 guitars ready to ship immediately, Solar proved that a modern guitar company could deliver professional-quality metal instruments at fair prices by cutting out middlemen. The brand's rapid growth—from YouTube experiment to globally recognized metal guitar maker—represents a new model for how guitar companies can operate in the social media era.
9
Years in Business
100K+
Guitars Sold
$15M+
Annual Revenue
Complete Solar Guitar Guide
Comprehensive buying guide, price analysis, model comparisons, and expert insights to help you understand everything about Solar guitars.
Solar Price Overview
Solar covers a wide range of instruments from entry-level to professional models. Typical used prices vary by condition, series and year. Higher-end USA models and limited editions retain value better than mass-market lines, while rare or vintage pieces often command significant premiums.
When evaluating value, consider originality (pickups, hardware), structural condition (neck, frets, finish) and documentation (serials, receipts, setup reports). Price dispersion across platforms is common; local stores offer service and inspection, whereas online marketplaces provide broader selection and price transparency.
For detailed buying advice, model comparisons and condition-based pricing, read the full guide linked above.
Market Overview
Average Price
$720
+6% vs last year
eBay Listings
1,200
Active listings
Sold This Month
380
+8% vs last month
Price Range
$150-$2,000
Current market range
Data sourced from eBay, Reverb, and Guitar Center used listings
Solar Timeline
Ola Englund YouTube Rise
Ola Englund's YouTube channel covering gear reviews and metal playing gained massive traction, building a community of hundreds of thousands of subscribers.
Washburn Signature Deal
Englund signed a signature guitar deal with Washburn, but found the traditional distribution model frustratingly slow—guitars took over a year to reach consumers.
Solar Guitars Founded
Englund left Washburn and launched Solar Guitars as a direct-to-consumer brand, debuting with 300 guitars ready to ship immediately.
Rapid Global Expansion
Solar expanded to multiple body shapes (Type A, E, V, S) and gained retail distribution while maintaining direct sales as the primary channel.
Evertune Integration
Introduced models with Evertune bridges—a key differentiator providing constant tuning stability critical for modern metal.
Duncan Solar Pickups
Partnered with Seymour Duncan to develop the Duncan Solar pickup—custom-voiced for the brand's metal-focused tonal palette.
S by Solar Sub-Brand
Launched S by Solar—an ultra-affordable sub-brand with 17 models priced from $219-$349, democratizing access to metal-optimized guitars.
Svart+ Premium Line
Introduced the Svart+ premium tier featuring upgraded Duncan Solar+ pickups with Alnico VIII magnets and enhanced hardware.
Complete Solar Product Lineup
Solar Guitars: Built by a guitarist, for guitarists—no middlemen since 2017
Premium Tier (X.1 Models)
Top-of-line with Evertune and premium pickups
Superstrat flagship at ~$1,099-$1,299
Explorer-style at ~$1,099-$1,299
V-shape at ~$1,099-$1,299
Ultra-premium custom finish at ~$1,999
Mid Tier (X.2 Models)
Professional specs at accessible prices
Superstrat at ~$699-$799
Explorer-style at ~$699-$799
V-shape at ~$699-$799
Single-cut at ~$699-$799
S by Solar
Ultra-affordable metal guitars
Budget superstrat at ~$299-$349
Budget Explorer at ~$299-$349
Budget V-shape at ~$299-$349
Budget single-cut at ~$219-$279
Extended Range
7 and 8-string models across tiers
7-string premium at ~$1,149
8-string premium at ~$1,199
7-string mid-tier at ~$799
Budget 7-string at ~$349
Body Shape Range
Multiple shapes for every metal subgenre
Most popular, versatile shape
Aggressive offset design
Classic metal silhouette
LP-style for heavier tones
Tele-inspired metal variant
"Solar Guitars: Built by a guitarist, for guitarists—no middlemen since 2017"
Model-Specific Buying Guide
Each model has unique characteristics that affect both tone and value. Here's what to look for when buying specific models.
Premium X.1 Buying Guide
Evertune Advantage
The X.1 tier's Evertune bridge maintains perfect tuning regardless of temperature, humidity, or playing force. For recording and live metal, this is a genuine game-changer
Duncan Solar Pickups
Custom-voiced by Seymour Duncan specifically for Solar guitars. The Svart+ models use Alnico VIII magnets for tighter, more defined high-gain tones
Set-Thru Construction
X.1 models use set-thru neck construction—a deep tenon joint that combines set-neck warmth with near-neck-through sustain. Premium feel at ~$1,099
S by Solar Buying Guide
Metal on a Budget
At $219-$349, S by Solar delivers metal-optimized guitars with high-output pickups, fast necks, and aggressive aesthetics. The best entry-level metal guitars available
Setup Required
At this price point, expect to invest in a professional setup ($40-$60). The guitars are well-built but benefit from fret polishing, action adjustment, and intonation fine-tuning
Upgrade Path
S by Solar guitars accept standard pickups and hardware. Budget $100-$150 for a pickup upgrade to transform these into genuinely impressive instruments
Used Solar Buying Guide
Growing Used Market
As Solar matures, more used examples appear. X.1 models at $700-$900 used are excellent value—Evertune bridges and Duncan pickups retain their function indefinitely
Direct vs Retail
Solar primarily sells direct. Used prices often approach new-direct prices because there's no retail markup to depreciate from. Compare against solar-guitars.com before buying used
Verify Evertune
If buying an Evertune-equipped model, test that all saddles are functioning and springs are intact. Evertune parts are specialized—verify before purchase