Solar’s Chop Shop creations have always walked the line between boutique artistry and brutal functionality. The AB1.7ETN from the Solar Chop Shop series doubles down on that formula, delivering a precision-built 7-string machine that pairs road-ready hardware with meticulous assembly and pro-level setup work completed in Spain.
Built on an Alder body measuring 45mm thick, the AB1.7ETN offers a balanced tonal foundation with tight lows and clear upper mids. The body is finished in Natural Gloss on the top and backsides, while the 3-piece Roasted Maple neck receives a smooth Natural Satin finish for a fast, effortless feel. The headstock follows suit with a matching Natural Satin treatment front and back.
The neck itself is carved into Solar’s comfortable C Solar profile and joined to the body via a Bolt-On construction. A Dual Action truss rod ensures precise adjustability, and the included truss rod tool makes tweaks simple. The scale length sits at 25.5″, dialed in for B-E 7-string tuning with Blacksmith 9-62 gauge strings.
Up top, a Roasted Maple fretboard with a 400mm radius provides a modern playing surface built for speed and control. There are 24 Standard frets crafted from Stainless Steel for long-term durability and slick bends. Visual appointments are intentionally stripped back, with no top position markers, Luminlay SGM-23 side dots for low-light visibility, and a subtle Solar Black inlay at the 12th fret.
Hardware is purpose-built for stability and precision. Black Satin Solar 18:1 locking tuners anchor the headstock, while the Evertune bridge ensures rock-solid tuning and consistent intonation under even the heaviest attack. Strap pins and control cover are finished in Matte Black, and the aesthetic is completed with Black Metal Dome knobs.
Electronics are equally deliberate. The front position houses a Seymour Duncan SSL-5, while the rear features a Solar Hand-Wired Modern Bridge pickup made in Europe for high-output authority. Both are Passive and mounted directly into the wood for enhanced resonance transfer. Controls include a 500k volume pot, a push/pull tone pot with a 473K disk capacitor, and a 3-way blade selector switch feeding a standard 1/4″ output jack.
Get the Solar AB1.7ETN here for $1,899 and keep up with all our Solar Guitars coverage here.
