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Solar A1.6BOP
Schecter Keith Merrow KM-6 MK-III Pro
VS
Playability
73
Sound
79
Build
67
Value
73
Score
73
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Playability
78
Sound
78
Build
87
Value
66
Score
81
FIND IT ON:
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Solar A1.6BOP vs Schecter Keith Merrow KM-6 MK-III Pro

Reasons to Get
Solar A1.6BOP over Schecter Keith Merrow KM-6 MK-III Pro

Switch Positions
5 vs 3
More tone options
Tone Knobs
1 vs 0
More tone control
Neck Thickness at 1st Fret
0.787'' (20mm) vs 0.765'' (19.4mm)
More comfortable open chords for big hands
Neck Thickness at 12th Fret
0.866'' (22mm) vs 0.825'' (21mm)
More comfortable at higher frets for big hands
Nut Width
1.693'' (43mm) vs 1.654'' (42mm)
Less likely to mute strings by accident and more space for fingerstyle
Bridge
Evertune vs Fixed
Fixed bridge that will keep the guitar in tune forever
Pickups Power
Passive vs Active
Cleaner sound and no battery needed
Value Score
73 vs 66
Better price/quality relationship

Reasons to Get
Schecter Keith Merrow KM-6 MK-III Pro over Solar A1.6BOP

Country of Manufacturing
United States vs Indonesia
Built with higher quality standards
Decorative Top
Flame Maple vs None
Finished with beautiful natural wood patterns
Release Year
2021 vs 2018
From a more recent year
Compound Radius
12" to 16" vs 13.78"
Balanced playability for chords and single-notes
Nut Material
Compensated vs Graphite
Fixes intonation issues
Pickup Mods
Multi-Voicing vs None
Changes the voice (tones or gain) of the pickups
Neck Joint
Bolt-On vs Set
Allows you to detach and swap the neck
Neck Thickness at 1st Fret
0.765'' (19.4mm) vs 0.787'' (20mm)
More comfortable open chords for small hands
Neck Thickness at 12th Fret
0.825'' (21mm) vs 0.866'' (22mm)
More comfortable at higher frets for small hands
Nut Width
1.654'' (42mm) vs 1.693'' (43mm)
Favors small hands, easier bar chords and other shapes
Bridge
Fixed vs Evertune
Good sustain and needs no set-up
Pickups Power
Active vs Passive
More output

Other Key Differences
Solar A1.6BOP vs Schecter Keith Merrow KM-6 MK-III Pro

Bridge Pickup
Duncan Solar/Bridge vs Keith Merrow Custom Fishman Fluence
Different Bridge Pickup
Neck Pickup
Duncan Solar vs Keith Merrow Custom Fishman Fluence
Different Neck Pickup
Headstock
R6 vs 3-3
Different Headstock
Nut Material
Graphite vs Compensated
Different Nut Material

Shared Features
Solar A1.6BOP vs Schecter Keith Merrow KM-6 MK-III Pro

Body Wood
Ash
Same Body Wood
Neck Wood
Maple
Same Neck Wood
Fretboard Wood
Ebony
Same Fretboard Wood
Strings
6
Same playing style
Body Type
Solid Body
Feedback free
Volume Knobs
1
Same volume control
Pickups
HH
High output without hum
Number of Frets
24
Same maximum octave
Paint Finish
Poly
Resistant paint that ages well
Scale Length
25.5'' (647.7mm)
Same string tension and fret separation
Neck Profile Type
C
Comfortable neck that works for most people
Type of Frets
XL Jumbo
You won't feel the fretboard when pressing down the strings

Common Strengths

  • Locking Tuners
  • High-Quality Frets
  • Luminescent Sidedots
  • Top Pickup Brand
  • Expensive Wood

Common Weaknesses

  • Weight Relief
  • Strap Lock
  • 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • Active/Passive Preamp

Table of Contents

Price History Comparison

Solar A1.6BOP Prices

SET PRICE ALERT

Schecter Keith Merrow KM-6 MK-III Pro Prices

SET PRICE ALERT

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Which One is Better Overall?

After going through our comparison algorithm, the results show that the Schecter Keith Merrow KM-6 MK-III Pro is probably the better product overall with its final score of 81 compared to the Solar A1.6BOP's 73 score, although not by a lot.

The Schecter Keith Merrow KM-6 MK-III Pro wins when it comes to playability, build quality. On the other hand, the Solar A1.6BOP has the upper hand when it comes to sound, value for the money.

If you got small hands, you'll probably feel more comfortable playing the Schecter Keith Merrow KM-6 MK-III Pro.

Which One is Better for Beginners?

If you're looking for your first guitar to learn how to play, the Schecter Keith Merrow KM-6 MK-III Pro is the better choice.

The Schecter Keith Merrow KM-6 MK-III Pro meets 7 out of our 8 criteria items for beginner friendliness, while the Solar A1.6BOP meets only 4. This takes into account the type of frets, scale length, nut width, bridge type, fretboard radius, and neck profile to determine the easiest combination for new players.

New Player Friendliness

Solar A1.6BOP
  • Comfortable shape
  • Locking tuners
  • Tall frets
  • Comfortable neck
  • Comfortable fretboard
  • Narrow nut
  • Short scale
  • Easy-to-use bridge

New Player Friendliness

Schecter Keith Merrow KM-6 MK-III Pro
  • Comfortable shape
  • Easy-to-use bridge
  • Locking tuners
  • Comfortable fretboard
  • Tall frets
  • Narrow nut
  • Comfortable neck
  • Short scale

Nevertheless, when it comes to choosing an instrument, you should pick the one more compatible with your personal style. Still, below we'll try you to give you our results as objectively as it's possible to help you decide.

Solar A1.6BOP Overview

  • From Solar's 2018 Type A series
  • Made in Indonesia
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 13.78" Fretboard Radius
  • Swamp Ash body
  • Maple neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Duncan Solar/Bridge (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Duncan Solar (Humbucker/Passive)
  • 1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
  • 5-way Switch
  • Evertune F-Type bridge
  • Solar C Shape Set neck
  • 24 XL Jumbo Stainless Steel frets
  • Solar 18:1 Locking Type tuners
  • Compare Specs >

Schecter Keith Merrow KM-6 MK-III Pro Overview

  • From Schecter's 2021 Artist series
  • Keith Merrow Signature
  • Made in United States
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 12" to 16" Fretboard Radius
  • Flame Maple top
  • Swamp Ash body
  • Wenge 3-piece with purple heart and maple laminates neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Keith Merrow Custom Fishman Fluence (Humbucker/Active)
  • Neck pickup: Keith Merrow Custom Fishman Fluence (Humbucker/Active)
  • 1 volume and 0 tone Dome knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Hipshot Low Profilefixed bridge bridge
  • Thin fast C Bolt-On neck
  • 24 XL Jumbo Stainless Steel frets
  • Hipshot open gear locking with Knurled Barrel adjustment tuners
  • Compare Specs >

Sound Quality Comparison

The wood used in an electric guitar or bass is not as important to determine the final tone. However, some people prefer specific wood types, so we'll take a look at those first. Then, we'll take a look at the electronics to determine the versatility and sound quality of each instrument.

Woods Used in Both

Maple wood pattern used for guitar building
Maple
Ebony wood pattern used for guitar building
Ebony
Ash wood pattern used for guitar building
Ash

Maple is one of the most popular necks for good reasons. It is a strong wood that is relatively cheap to make and looks beautiful. The highest quality maple is the hardest that comes from North America. Find out more about Maple.

Ebony is a high-end wood, so it is not cheap. It's only used for fretboards because it's also very heavy. It does an excellent job as a durable material while looking elegant. Find out more about Ebony.

Ash is a type of wood that Fender used almost exclusively in the 50s, and it's still used by many brands. It's a dense wood with a light color that works well for a transparent, natural finish because of its beautiful patterns. In terms of sound, it's known for emphasizing the mid and high frequencies, but with strong low end. Find out more about Ash.

Winner: Tie.

Pickup Configuration

Both pickup configurations are HH. Double Humbucker (HH) is the choice for people who want a fuller, more round sound with tons of mids and lows. Humbuckers also get rid of the hum noise that plague single-coil pickups. They can work out for almost any genre going from Djent to even Jazz.

Pickups Quality

Both come with very good pickups from at least one of the specialized brands in the market. With pickups like these, you probably won't need an upgrade anytime soon.

We found the same or similar pickups to the Schecter Keith Merrow KM-6 MK-III Pro's online:

The Solar A1.6BOP's pickups are Passive while the Schecter Keith Merrow KM-6 MK-III Pro's are Active.

Passive pickups are what most guitars use. These have a normal output that works well for most genres. However, Active pickups are the preferred choice of heavy metal players because they offer extra output thanks to their 9v battery, which results in a heavier, more distorted sound. Bear in mind that achieving a completely clean tone with them won't be easy. So if you want to also use clean tones, you might want to avoid Active pickups.

Winner: Tie.

Versatility Comparison

Some instruments offer you more ways to explore your creativity than others. Below you'll find how both compare when it comes to versatility.

Switch Options

The Solar A1.6BOP gives you 5 switch options while the Schecter Keith Merrow KM-6 MK-III Pro gives you 3. This means that the Solar A1.6BOP gives you more options to find the right pickup combination for the type of sound you want to achieve

Only the Schecter Keith Merrow KM-6 MK-III Pro comes with some kind of pickup modification: Multi-Voicing.

Multi-Voicing means the pickups come with multiple ''voices'', which means they can change the tone and gain by a simple switch or knob. Piezo, Fishman and similar are considered multi-voicing pickups.

Solar A1.6BOP pickups switch selector and push knobs diagram
Solar A1.6BOP's switch options
Schecter Keith Merrow KM-6 MK-III Pro pickups switch and push knobs diagram
Schecter Keith Merrow KM-6 MK-III Pro's switch options

When evaluating versatility, we also take into consideration bridge and neck joint type, number of frets, switch options, amount of pickups and more.

Winner: Schecter Keith Merrow KM-6 MK-III Pro.

Final Sound Quality Scores

Solar A1.6BOP
Pickups 85
Sustain 75
Versatility 57
Tuning Stability 100
Sound 79
Schecter Keith Merrow KM-6 MK-III Pro
Pickups 85
Sustain 85
Versatility 62
Tuning Stability 80
Sound 78

Build Quality Comparison

When it comes to build quality, we like to take into account everything used to build the instrument. This includes materials, hardware and the quality control expected depending on the country where it was built. Let's see how the Solar A1.6BOP compares to the Schecter Keith Merrow KM-6 MK-III Pro.

Country of Origin

The manufacturing country can tell a lot about the build quality of an instrument. The Solar A1.6BOP is built in Indonesia while the Schecter Keith Merrow KM-6 MK-III Pro is made in United States.

Indonesia is becoming the most popular country for guitar building because they can make good instruments for a low price. Some people think that they're 'the new China' when it comes to build quality. But the truth is that Indonesian guitars are more consistent, although Chinese quality has improved a lot in the last few years.

The United States is considered one of the best electric guitar manufacturers in the world. A guitar made in this country is supposed to have world-class quality control. Nowadays, guitars made in other countries can beat some of the ones made in the US, but most of the time, this country offers the best you can get. Of course, that comes at a price.

Winner: Schecter Keith Merrow KM-6 MK-III Pro

Nut Material

If you want your guitar to stay in tune and sound good, you need a well cut nut. Nut quality can be inconsistent even when comparing two copies of the same model. The best way to make sure you're nut will be well done is by getting a nut made by an expert company like TUSQ or Micarta.

The Solar A1.6BOP has a Graphite nut. It's a self-lubricating material that will allow the strings to slide over the nut without a lot of friction. It's a good type of nut if you want to have better tuning stability than with plastic, although it's not as resistant as Bone or Tusq.

On the other hand, the Schecter Keith Merrow KM-6 MK-III Pro comes with a Compensated nut. Each hole where the string sits at the nut is cut at a different distance from the bridge, which compensates for the different amount of tension that each string is subject to. This fixes most intonation issues across the fretboard, so it gives great tuning stability.

Winner: Schecter Keith Merrow KM-6 MK-III Pro.

Fret Material

Most fret wire is made of nickel silver. This material eventually wears down after a lot of use and most instruments end up needing a complete fret replacement. However, some expensive models come with stainless steel frets. This is what you should aim for if you can afford it.

Both in this comparison come with stainless steel frets. These frets will basically last for the entire life of the guitar. They will never need polishing nor replacement. And not only that, but some people also notice that bending and vibratos are much easier to perform when they upgrade to stainless steel.

Winner: Tie.

Bridge

The perfect bridge for you will depend on your playstyle because they all have advantages and disadvantages. However, some bridges are more expensive—like Floyd Roses and Evertunes—and thus add more value to a guitar.

The Solar A1.6BOP's brige is a Evertune. It will keep your guitar in tune and intonated until the next string swap. If you really like extremely subtle vibratos, this might not be the bridge for you because you won't be able to perform them as well. However, the fact that you won't need to tune your guitar is a huge advantage that many people will gladly pay the extra price for.

On the other hand, the Schecter Keith Merrow KM-6 MK-III Pro's is a Fixed. It's a simple bridge that is very beginner-friendly since it doesn't require any set-up. You can swap strings easily. It might also give more sustain since it doesn't have complex moving parts that make the strings lose vibration. However, it doesn't have the same versatility as a tremolo bridge.

Since we need to be objective, the most expensive type of bridge will be the winner of this section. In the end, this doesn't matter if you're not going to use the bridge for its original purpose, so choose the bridge that fits your playing style better.

Winner: Solar A1.6BOP.

Tuners

They both have locking tuners. They'll help to keep your guitar in tune because they allow you to tune it without wrapping the strings around the posts. This avoids variations in the tuning due to the strings changing position at the post after a bend. They come at the disadvantage of being slightly heavier than regular tuners. Also, it makes it a lot easier to restring.

Winner: Tie.

Neck Joint

Contrary to popular belief, the difference in sustain and tone that some neck joints give to a guitar is simply unperceivable—if they're all well built. However, some of them do have advantages over the others.

The Solar A1.6BOP has a Set neck joint. This neck is tightly glued to the body. They give you the least versatility because you can't swap them for a neck that fits your hand better if you want to, unlike bolt-on necks. Some people think this gives more resonance and sustain, but there's no real difference if the bolt-on joint is well built.

On the other hand, the Schecter Keith Merrow KM-6 MK-III Pro comes with Bolt-On neck joint. This neck is joined to the body by 4 bolts that you can simply unscrew. This allows you to replace the neck or take it off for travel. It's the most common and cheapest way to build a guitar.

Winner: Schecter Keith Merrow KM-6 MK-III Pro.

Here is the list of features that were considered when choosing the winner in the Features subcategory:

Strengths & Weaknesses
Solar A1.6BOP
  • Stainless Steel Frets
  • Locking Tuners
  • Expensive Wood
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Stays in Tune (Evertune)
  • Luminescent Inlay
  • Made in Indonesia
  • No High-Quality Nut
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Tremolo
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock
Strengths & Weaknesses
Schecter Keith Merrow KM-6 MK-III Pro
  • Stainless Steel Frets
  • Locking Tuners
  • Made in United States
  • Expensive Wood
  • Compensated Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Multi-Voicing Pickups
  • Luminescent Inlay
  • Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Tremolo
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

Final Build Quality Scores

Solar A1.6BOP
Quality of materials 61
Features 65
Quality Control 75
Build Quality 67
Schecter Keith Merrow KM-6 MK-III Pro
Quality of materials 80
Features 80
Quality Control 100
Build Quality 87

Playability Comparison

Let's now compare their playability. Bear in mind that the instrument will feel different depending on your hand size and play style. That's why you should always test before buying. But if you can't or want a second opinion on it, we can still take a look at each of the important measurements of the instrument for you. This way, we can predict how easy a guitar might be to play, or how different it will feel compared to the other.

Remember that, even though the difference might seem small, every inch counts when it comes to feeling of the instrument in your hands. Any variation can completely change how comfortable a guitar feels in your hands.

Nut Width

Solar A1.6BOP Nut Width
Solar A1.6BOP Nut Width
Schecter Keith Merrow KM-6 MK-III Pro Nut Width
Schecter Keith Merrow KM-6 MK-III Pro Nut Width

The nut width will affect the separation between strings at the nut. In this comparison, the Solar A1.6BOP has the wider nut with 43mm (1.693'') vs 42mm (1.654''). This is a 1mm (0.039'') difference

This means that it will be more difficult to do bar chords on the Solar A1.6BOP, especially closer to the nut. However, it's also easier to play without muting strings accidently. This favors people with big hands.

Scale Length

Solar A1.6BOP and Schecter Keith Merrow KM-6 MK-III Pro's Scale Length
Both have the same scale length

The scale length is one of the things that influences playability the most. This is the distance between the nut and the bridge and will affect everything from low action allowance, difficulty to perform bends, fret separation, and even tone.

In this case, both have a scale length of 25.5".

This is the scale used in most Stratocasters. It's slightly longer than the typical 24.75'' size found in Les Pauls, and it's one of the main reasons why Stratocasters have such a bright sound in general. A longer scale also means that the strings will have higher tension. This will help you get lower action without suffering fret buzz, which will also be helpful when playing in lower tunings without having to increase your string gauge.

However, this also means that there will be more separation between frets, which can make it more difficult to play. Also, bending the strings will require more strengths due to the increased tension, but remember that a tremolo guitar will offset this difficulty.

Lastly, remember that you can also affect the tension of the strings by changing your string gauge. You can use a thicker gauge for more tension and a lighter one for less tension.

Neck Profile

Solar A1.6BOP Neck Profile
Solar A1.6BOP's neck profile
Schecter Keith Merrow KM-6 MK-III Pro Neck Profile
Schecter Keith Merrow KM-6 MK-III Pro's neck profile

No single neck shape is better than others. However, most people tend to prefer a thinner necks because it doesn't get in their way when playing fast and most hand sizes can adapt to it pretty well. However, some people still prefer thicker necks for a better grip, especially if they have big hands.

Both the Solar A1.6BOP and the Schecter Keith Merrow KM-6 MK-III Pro have a C-shaped neck. This is what you'll find in most modern guitars. Most people feel like the thickness of a C neck is simply the less intrusive one for playing fast, while at the same time allowing you to grab the neck easily for resting if you want to.

Fretboard Radius

Solar A1.6BOP Fingerboard Radius
Solar A1.6BOP's Fingerboard radius
Schecter Keith Merrow KM-6 MK-III Pro Fretboard Compound Radius
Schecter Keith Merrow KM-6 MK-III Pro's Compound Fretboard Radius

Most guitar fretboards are not flat; they usually have a curve or arc across their width. A curved fretboard will make it easier to perform chords without muting strings, while a flatter one will make it easier to play single notes, which is good for bending and soloing in general. The best fretboards have a compound radius that varies across the fingerboard, but they're not common since they take a lot more work to build.

In this case, the Schecter Keith Merrow KM-6 MK-III Pro is the only one with a compound radius. This is a huge win because it will give you the best of both worlds: a more curved radius in the first few frets for chords, and flatter as you come closer to the body for soloing.

Hand Size Comfortability

Everyone has a different hand size, and that's why it's recommended to try a guitar before buying, even if others tell you that it's comfortable to play. However, we can know whether a guitar favors small or large hands just by knowing its exact measurements.

And after taking into account the scale length, nut width, neck profile and fretboard radius, we can conclude that the Solar A1.6BOP favors large hands more than the Schecter Keith Merrow KM-6 MK-III Pro. But it's still more comfortable for people with small hands, as you can see in the score meter below.

Solar A1.6BOP:
Big Hands
Small Hands
Schecter Keith Merrow KM-6 MK-III Pro:
Big Hands
Small Hands

Fret Size

Solar A1.6BOP and Schecter Keith Merrow KM-6 MK-III Pro Frets Size
Both have a similar XL Jumbo fret size

Both have a XL Jumbo fret size. These are really tall frets made like this so you don't meet any resistance when playing techniques like vibrato, bending, tapping, etc. They should make the guitar easier to play, but you have to be careful not to get the notes out of pitch by pressing down too hard, which might happen since the fretboard will be too low to stop your hand.

Final Playability Scores

Solar A1.6BOP
Bending & Vibrato Ease 80
Chord Playability 50
Solo Playability 90
Playability 73
Schecter Keith Merrow KM-6 MK-III Pro
Bending & Vibrato Ease 75
Chord Playability 70
Solo Playability 90
Playability 78

Specs Side-by-Side

Solar A1.6BOP vs Schecter Keith Merrow KM-6 MK-III Pro
General Solar A1.6BOP Schecter Keith Merrow KM-6 MK-III Pro
Brand: Solar Schecter
Year: 2018 2021
Configuration: HH HH
Strings: 6 6
Made in: Indonesia United States
Series: Type A Artist
Colors: Black Black Patterns, Red Patterns
Left-Handed Version: Yes No
Body
Type: Solid Body Solid Body
Body Material: Swamp Ash Swamp Ash
Bridge: Evertune F-Type Hipshot Low Profilefixed bridge
Neck
Neck Joint: Set Bolt-On
Tuners: Solar 18:1 Locking Type Hipshot open gear locking with Knurled Barrel adjustment
Fretboard: Ebony Ebony
Neck Material: Maple Wenge 3-piece with purple heart and maple laminates
Decoration: Solar Logo on 12th Fret Custom offset silver metal rings
Scale Size: 25.5" 25.5"
Shape: Solar C Shape Thin fast C
Thickness: 1st Fret: 0.787'' (20mm) - 12th Fret: 0.866'' (22mm) 1st Fret: 0.765'' (19.4mm) - 12th Fret: 0.825'' (21mm)
Frets: 24 XL Jumbo Stainless Steel 24 XL Jumbo Stainless Steel
Fretboard Radius: 13.78" 12" to 16"
Nut: Graphite Compensated
Nut Width: 43mm (1.693'') 42mm (1.654'')
Electronics
Bridge Pickup: Duncan Solar/Bridge (Humbucker / Passive) Keith Merrow Custom Fishman Fluence (Humbucker / Active)
Middle Pickup:
Neck Pickup: Duncan Solar (Humbucker / Passive) Keith Merrow Custom Fishman Fluence (Humbucker / Active)
Switch: 5 Way 3 Way
Knobs: Dome Dome
Pickup Mods: None Multi-Voicing
Volume Controls: 1 1
Tone Controls: 1 0