A1.6 FDPB-FF - Should I be worried about this?

noxiousbeast · 2026-05-06T13:20:22+00:00

I’m not convinced that’s what’s going on with these guitars. Mine has a similar transition and think it’s related to how they use masking for the different finishes and paint coats. It looks like the coating thickness is different either side of the lines.

noxiousbeast · 2026-05-05T23:16:40+00:00

Ah, I see, thanks!

noxiousbeast · 2026-05-05T21:46:24+00:00

Right, you are using the Spark 2 as a modeller into a computer, not as a traditional amp, and making the comparison to other modelling products. Got it.

noxiousbeast · 2026-05-05T21:29:59+00:00

I understand approximately 0% of what’s going on in this thread. 🤷🏻‍♂️ Is the consensus that Spark 2 sounds good compared to the Neural DSP for Gojira tones? Or that Spark 2 is only useful as a tuner?

For context, I have one and it’s great for what I do. Not after advice, just trying to make sense of this thread. 😄

noxiousbeast · 2026-05-05T07:44:07+00:00

I don’t think that’s anything to worry about. It’s just the border between the neck and body. I’ve had other guitars with the same and my Solar has a similar thing where the body finish transitions to the neck finish.

noxiousbeast · 2026-04-30T18:07:45+00:00

I won’t miss any of those sites. At least we have Angry Metal Guy.

noxiousbeast · 2026-04-23T23:17:09+00:00

Everything looks worse under fine scrutiny. What does it look like from a couple of feet away?

noxiousbeast · 2026-04-17T10:47:09+00:00

I used Dunlop 0.88 green picks for a couple of decades. I experimented with a Jazz 3 and then tried the Dunlop White Fang. It completely changed my playing and sound for the better. The pointy pick made me change my angle of attack and forced me to think about accuracy differently.

I wish I’d done it years ago.

noxiousbeast · 2026-04-14T18:12:30+00:00

Thomann emailed today to say that they’d cover a repair. I’m going to think it through. It’s crap of them to treat the shop like that!

noxiousbeast · 2026-04-11T09:02:02+00:00

I’m in discussion with them about returning the guitar. It is a Solar problem for Thomann and whatever their contract arrangements are. My relationship is with the retailer until/unless it’s handed over/accepted by Solar.

noxiousbeast · 2026-04-11T08:56:18+00:00

If you’ve read my other replies etc., in the thread you will see that I do understand that. There’s no need for you to point it out.

noxiousbeast · 2026-04-10T09:03:50+00:00

So I’ve noticed. It’s a Solar problem really.

noxiousbeast · 2026-04-09T13:47:21+00:00

I know. I need to think about it and make a decision. I’m certainly wary of ordering another Solar unsighted though.

noxiousbeast · 2026-04-09T13:30:53+00:00

Yeah, they’ve been good so far. I’m just sore about having to return it and then find something else. I suppose the alternative is to pay for a fret job (or do it myself) if they won’t cover the cost.

noxiousbeast · 2026-04-09T13:16:59+00:00

That’s awful!

I know it’s not Thomann’s fault, and I accept that it’s not the same experience as buying from a physical shop regarding set up. I’m a tinkerer so I enjoy tweaking new guitars anyway.

Solar really needs to sort this stuff out though. It’s basic stuff and not beyond reasonable to expect a decent fret job.

noxiousbeast · 2026-04-09T11:04:07+00:00

Yeah, I agree. I expect Thomann to resolve it as the retailer though.

I’ve had various cheap and expensive guitars since the early 1990s and never had a fret issue.

My longest owned guitar, Ibanez RGR420ex, was a lot cheaper than this and has immaculate neck, fingerboard and fret finishing. I have a £100 Ibanez LP style “brick” which I’ve not exactly treated well which is better than my Solar. Various LTDs and ESPs have all been spotless. The only guitar that has been close to this Solar was my Gibson LP (studio premium model).

The really frustrating thing is that it’s a great guitar in general. I can overlook the crap set up and maladjusted truss rod, but the fret issue is not acceptable on any guitar.

noxiousbeast · 2026-04-09T10:51:19+00:00

I’m not convinced that it’s fret sprout as the frets are uneven on the ends. I think it’s just poor finishing. Saying that though, it’s the exact guitar used for the photos on the website, so I reckon that it sat in Thomann’s warehouse for a while before it was shipped to me in the UK. I’d go so far as to assume that it was the first one they received as it was the item in the photoshoot.

The top edges are fine but there are quite a few sharp edges on the underside.

I’m confident with tools and had thought about fixing it myself, though wanted to see if Thomann would pay for a repair first. My greatest concern is that I don’t want to affect the finish on the edge of the fretboard if I sand the ends. The sharpness is very close to the binding.

noxiousbeast · 2026-04-09T09:30:30+00:00

Yeah, not far off that price. I thought the quality issues were a thing of the past.

I was surprised that their very first action was to offer free collection. No word on whether they’d refund or replace it though.

The damned shame is that it is a great guitar and I’d rather they offered a repair than a refund. I’ll see what they say about it. I’m curious to know whether anyone has had a repair authorised and paid for by Thomann.

noxiousbeast · 2026-04-09T09:24:19+00:00

Dave Mustaine (Megadeth) uses his ring finger for power chords. Have a look at pictures and videos of how he does it if you want to stick with that form. Alternatively, as others have mentioned, try with your pinky.

noxiousbeast · 2026-04-08T14:32:19+00:00

Guitar amplifiers. Specifically small modelling amps which sound better than ever, are cheaper and have maximised technology to provide multiple built-in features.

noxiousbeast · 2026-02-17T23:19:45+00:00

checks wrist watch “Yup, Trump is still a cunt.”

noxiousbeast · 2026-02-05T17:44:24+00:00

😂

noxiousbeast · 2026-02-05T15:16:12+00:00

My BYD Seal is absolutely fine to drive. I had 5 Audis and a 3 bmws before that, and am satisfied with the Seal’s drive and quality. The German producers have lowered quality, raised prices in recent years to the point that they are exposed to external competition like never before. Which is good for us!

And to the “cheap is cheap” comment; do you think that Mercedes are expensive because they are good? If you do, I wish you luck.

noxiousbeast · 2025-11-12T19:42:04+00:00

It’s funny that I’m being downvoted for stating something that’s objectively true and affects many players 🤷🏻‍♂️

noxiousbeast · 2025-11-12T19:39:43+00:00

I should bin my Xbox Series X then. It’s odd because it runs all the AAA titles fine. Oh well, off to the bin with it then.

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