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Solar A1.8C
ESP LTD H-1008 Baritone Evertune
VS
Playability
73
Sound
79
Build
69
Value
69
Score
74
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Playability
73
Sound
79
Build
65
Value
72
Score
72
FIND IT ON:
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Solar A1.8C vs LTD H-1008 Baritone Evertune

Reasons to Get
Solar A1.8C over LTD H-1008 Baritone Evertune

Neck Profile
Solar C Shape vs Thin U
Comfortable neck that works for most people
Nut Material
Graphite vs Plastic
Self-Lubricating nut for good tuning stability
Switch Positions
5 vs 3
More tone options
Locking Tuners
Yes vs None
Easier to change strings
Luminescent Sidedots
Yes vs None
Assists you when playing in dark environments
Fretboard Radius
15.75'' (400.1mm) vs 20'' (508mm)
More curved fretboard helpful to play chords without muting strings
Pickups Power
Passive vs Active
Cleaner sound and no battery needed

Reasons to Get
ESP LTD H-1008 Baritone Evertune over Solar A1.8C

Release Year
2021 vs 2019
From a more recent year
Neck Profile
Thin U vs Solar C Shape
Comfortable neck with more grip
Fretboard Radius
20'' (508mm) vs 15.75'' (400.1mm)
Flatter fretboard makes it easier to play single notes and bend
Pickups Power
Active vs Passive
More output
Value Score
72 vs 69
Better price/quality relationship

Other Key Differences
Solar A1.8C vs LTD H-1008 Baritone Evertune

Bridge Pickup
Duncan Solar/Bridge vs EMG 81-8H
Different Bridge Pickup
Neck Pickup
Duncan Solar vs EMG 85-8H
Different Neck Pickup
Body Wood
Alder vs Mahogany
Different Body Wood
Headstock
R8 vs 4-4
Different Headstock
Nut Material
Graphite vs Plastic
Different Nut Material

Shared Features
Solar A1.8C vs LTD H-1008 Baritone Evertune

Neck Wood
Maple
Same Neck Wood
Fretboard Wood
Ebony
Same Fretboard Wood
Strings
8
Same playing style
Body Type
Solid Body
Feedback free
Volume Knobs
1
Same volume control
Tone Knobs
1
Same tone control
Pickups
HH
High output without hum
Number of Frets
24
Same maximum octave
Neck Thickness at 1st Fret
0.787'' (20mm)
Same neck comfortability
Neck Thickness at 12th Fret
0.866'' (22mm)
Same neck comfortability
Nut Width
2.126'' (54mm)
Same string separation at the nut
Paint Finish
Poly
Resistant paint that ages well
Bridge
Evertune
Fixed bridge that will keep the guitar in tune forever
Scale Length
27'' (685.8mm)
Same string tension and fret separation
Neck Joint
Set
Neck is glued to the body
Type of Frets
XL Jumbo
You won't feel the fretboard when pressing down the strings

Common Strengths

  • Stays in Tune (Evertune)
  • High-Quality Frets
  • Top Pickup Brand
  • Expensive Wood

Common Weaknesses

  • Neck-Through Build
  • Pickup Alter Switch/Knob
  • Weight Relief
  • Compound Radius Fretboard
  • From a High-Quality-Standards Country
  • Strap Lock
  • 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • Active/Passive Preamp

Table of Contents

Price History Comparison

ESP LTD H-1008 Baritone Evertune Prices

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Which One is Better Overall?

After going through our comparison algorithm, the results show that the Solar A1.8C is probably the better product overall with its final score of 74 compared to the ESP LTD H-1008 Baritone Evertune's 72 score, although not by a lot.

The Solar A1.8C wins when it comes to build quality. On the other hand, the ESP LTD H-1008 Baritone Evertune has the upper hand when it comes to value for the money.

If you got small hands, you'll probably feel more comfortable playing the Solar A1.8C.

Which One is Better for Beginners?

If you're looking for your first guitar to learn how to play, the Solar A1.8C is the better choice.

The Solar A1.8C meets 4 out of our 8 criteria items for beginner friendliness, while the ESP LTD H-1008 Baritone Evertune meets only 3. 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 A1.8C
  • Comfortable shape
  • Locking tuners
  • Tall frets
  • Comfortable neck
  • Comfortable fretboard
  • Narrow nut
  • Short scale
  • Easy-to-use bridge

New Player Friendliness

ESP LTD H-1008 Baritone Evertune
  • Comfortable shape
  • Tall frets
  • Comfortable neck
  • Comfortable fretboard
  • Narrow nut
  • Short scale
  • Locking tuners
  • Easy-to-use bridge

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 A1.8C Overview

  • From Solar's 2019 Type A series
  • Made in Indonesia
  • 8 strings
  • 27"'' scale
  • 15.75" Fretboard Radius
  • Alder 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 >

ESP LTD H-1008 Baritone Evertune Overview

  • From ESP LTD's 2021 H series
  • Made in Indonesia
  • 8 strings
  • 27"'' scale
  • 20" Fretboard Radius
  • Mahogany w/ Maple Cap body
  • 3pc Maple neck
  • Macassar Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: EMG 81-8H (Humbucker/Active)
  • Neck pickup: EMG 85-8H (Humbucker/Active)
  • 1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Evertune (F model) bridge
  • Thin U Set neck
  • 24 XL Jumbo Stainless Steel frets
  • Grover 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

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.

Woods Used in the Solar A1.8C

Alder wood pattern used for guitar building
Alder

Alder is the most popular wood that Fender uses in most of their guitars nowadays. Even though they say it's because of its balanced tone with an emphasis in the upper midrange, it probably is because it isn't too expensive, and it's also pretty lightweight—more than Mahogany. Find out more about Alder.

Woods Used in the ESP LTD H-1008 Baritone Evertune

Mahogany wood pattern used for guitar building
Mahogany

Mahogany is a fairly rare wood nowadays. It's used mostly for bodies due to its relatively lightweight. Gibson popularized it with their Les Paul guitars during their golden years, so this wood has a lot of good reputation behind it. The most expensive type comes from South America and it's still used by Gibson even today. Find out more about Mahogany.

Winner: ESP LTD H-1008 Baritone Evertune.

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 ESP LTD H-1008 Baritone Evertune's online:

The Solar A1.8C's pickups are Passive while the ESP LTD H-1008 Baritone Evertune'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 A1.8C gives you 5 switch options while the ESP LTD H-1008 Baritone Evertune gives you 3. This means that the Solar A1.8C gives you more options to find the right pickup combination for the type of sound you want to achieve

Neither of them come with some kind of coil split or pickup mod option. This makes both lacking in terms of versatility.

Solar A1.8C pickups switch selector and push knobs diagram
Solar A1.8C's switch options
ESP LTD H-1008 Baritone Evertune pickups switch and push knobs diagram
ESP LTD H-1008 Baritone Evertune'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: Solar A1.8C.

Final Sound Quality Scores

Solar A1.8C
Pickups 85
Sustain 75
Versatility 57
Tuning Stability 100
Sound 79
ESP LTD H-1008 Baritone Evertune
Pickups 85
Sustain 80
Versatility 49
Tuning Stability 100
Sound 79

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 A1.8C compares to the ESP LTD H-1008 Baritone Evertune.

Country of Origin

The manufacturing country can tell a lot about the build quality of an instrument. Both in this comparison where made in Indonesia.

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.

Winner: Tie

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 A1.8C 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 ESP LTD H-1008 Baritone Evertune comes with a Plastic nut. This is a low-quality nut that you might want to consider upgrading soon. Bone and TUSQ nuts are the best for guitars with a fixed or simple tremolo bridge.

Winner: Solar A1.8C.

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.

Both come with a similar bridge: 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.

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: Tie.

Tuners

The Solar A1.8C has the best tuners of the two because they are 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: Solar A1.8C.

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.

Both have 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.

Winner: Tie.

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

Strengths & Weaknesses
Solar A1.8C
  • 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
ESP LTD H-1008 Baritone Evertune
  • Stainless Steel Frets
  • Expensive Wood
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Stays in Tune (Evertune)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • Made in Indonesia
  • No High-Quality Nut
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Luminescent Inlay
  • No Tremolo
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

Final Build Quality Scores

Solar A1.8C
Quality of materials 61
Features 65
Quality Control 80
Build Quality 69
ESP LTD H-1008 Baritone Evertune
Quality of materials 71
Features 50
Quality Control 75
Build Quality 65

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 A1.8C Nut Width
Both Guitars Have The Same Nut Width

The nut width will affect the separation between strings at the nut. In this comparison, both have a nut width of 54mm (2.126'').

This is considered a wide width for a 8-string guitar. It gives your fingers the extra space you need to play without muting accidentally, but this also makes bar chords harder to perform, especially if you have small hands.

Scale Length

Solar A1.8C and ESP LTD H-1008 Baritone Evertune'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 27".

This is a scale used for baritones and guitars with more than 6 strings. Since the scale is so long, the tension of the strings will be higher. This means that bending will require a lot more strength than with a shorter scale. However, it also allows you to use really low tunings without causing fret buzz and without needing to increase your string gauge too much.

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 A1.8C Neck Profile
Solar A1.8C's neck profile
ESP LTD H-1008 Baritone Evertune Neck Profile
ESP LTD H-1008 Baritone Evertune'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.

In this case, both have different neck shapes:

The Solar A1.8C has a C type of 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.

The ESP LTD H-1008 Baritone Evertune, on the other hand, has a U neck. This is also referred to as ''baseball neck'' because of its shape. It's usually thick, which is why some people with big hands like it. However, they can also be thin, similar to a C shape, but with more shoulders for a better grip.

Fretboard Radius

Solar A1.8C Fingerboard Radius
Solar A1.8C's Fingerboard radius
ESP LTD H-1008 Baritone Evertune Fingerboard Radius
ESP LTD H-1008 Baritone Evertune's Fingerboard 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 Solar A1.8C's fingerboard radius is smaller, which means it's more curved than the ESP LTD H-1008 Baritone Evertune's. This extra arc will make playing chords easier in this model. You won't be as likely to mute the strings, especially if you have big hands. However, playing single notes and bending will be easier on the ESP LTD H-1008 Baritone Evertune.

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 ESP LTD H-1008 Baritone Evertune favors large hands more than the Solar A1.8C.

Solar A1.8C:
Big Hands
Small Hands
ESP LTD H-1008 Baritone Evertune:
Big Hands
Small Hands

Fret Size

Solar A1.8C and ESP LTD H-1008 Baritone Evertune 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 A1.8C
Bending & Vibrato Ease 80
Chord Playability 50
Solo Playability 90
Playability 73
ESP LTD H-1008 Baritone Evertune
Bending & Vibrato Ease 80
Chord Playability 60
Solo Playability 80
Playability 73

Specs Side-by-Side

Solar A1.8C vs LTD H-1008 Baritone Evertune
General Solar A1.8C LTD H-1008 Baritone Evertune
Brand: Solar ESP LTD
Year: 2019 2021
Configuration: HH HH
Strings: 8 8
Made in: Indonesia Indonesia
Series: Type A H
Colors: Black Matte Black
Left-Handed Version: No No
Body
Type: Solid Body Solid Body
Body Material: Alder Mahogany w/ Maple Cap
Bridge: Evertune F-Type Evertune (F model)
Neck
Neck Joint: Set Set
Tuners: Solar 18:1 Locking Type Grover
Fretboard: Ebony Macassar Ebony
Neck Material: Maple 3pc Maple
Decoration: Solar Logo on 12th Fret Offset Blocks
Scale Size: 27" 27"
Shape: Solar C Shape Thin U
Thickness: 1st Fret: 0.787'' (20mm) - 12th Fret: 0.866'' (22mm) 1st Fret: 0.787'' (20mm) - 12th Fret: 0.866'' (22mm)
Frets: 24 XL Jumbo Stainless Steel 24 XL Jumbo Stainless Steel
Fretboard Radius: 15.75" 20"
Nut: Graphite Plastic
Nut Width: 54mm (2.126'') 54mm (2.126'')
Electronics
Bridge Pickup: Duncan Solar/Bridge (Humbucker / Passive) EMG 81-8H (Humbucker / Active)
Middle Pickup:
Neck Pickup: Duncan Solar (Humbucker / Passive) EMG 85-8H (Humbucker / Active)
Switch: 5 Way 3 Way
Knobs: Dome Dome
Pickup Mods: None None
Volume Controls: 1 1
Tone Controls: 1 1