Solar Guitars just dropped their new AP1.6FRTY+ model and I can’t help but feel this would look right in the hands of Frank Gambale. Dude loves his highlighter-styled Ibanez, so why not this too?
At its core, the AP1.6FRTY+ is a modern player’s tool. The Alder body delivers a balanced tonal platform with tight lows, clear highs, and a focused midrange that cuts effortlessly through dense mixes.
The Set-Thru construction is a defining feature here, blending the snap of a bolt-on with the sustain of a set neck. Paired with a 25.5″ scale length, the guitar feels immediately familiar yet distinctly optimized for precision playing. The 3 Piece Maple neck, carved into a fast C Solar profile, offers a sleek, controlled feel from the first position all the way up to the 24th fret.
The Ebony fretboard is built for speed and clarity, featuring a smooth R350 radius that encourages low action and effortless bends. Outfitted with 24 Stainless Steel frets, the playing surface feels glassy and durable, ready to withstand years of aggressive technique. Minimalist design choices like the absence of top position markers keep the look clean, while Luminlay SG30L side dots glow in low-light conditions.
Under the hood, the AP1.6FRTY+ is built to deliver uncompromising tone. A pair of Duncan Solar+ humbuckers, loaded with Alnico VIII magnets, provide the kind of output and aggression modern players demand. The bridge pickup is tight, articulate, and crushing under high gain, while the neck delivers a thick, singing voice for leads and fluid passages.
Despite its high-output nature, the control layout offers surprising versatility. A 5-Way Blade Switch, paired with 500k Volume and Tone controls, opens up a range of usable tones—from searing distortion to cleaner, more nuanced textures. It’s a flexible setup that adapts easily across genres without losing its core identity.
The hardware package reinforces the guitar’s professional intent. The Gotoh 1996 Big Block tremolo system, complete with a substantial brass block and noise-silencing springs, provides exceptional sustain and tuning stability even under heavy use. Combined with Solar Locking Tuners and a Match Locking Bridge nut system, the instrument stays remarkably stable through dive bombs, wide vibrato, and aggressive playing styles.
Get the AP1.6FRTY+ here for $1,299 and keep up with all our Solar Guitars coverage right here!
