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Solar A2.6FB  Baritone
Schecter C-1 EX Apocalypse
VS
Playability
75
Sound
73
Build
54
Value
72
Score
67
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Playability
78
Sound
79
Build
79
Value
79
Score
79
FIND IT ON:
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Solar A2.6FB Baritone vs Schecter C-1 EX Apocalypse

Reasons to Get
Solar A2.6FB Baritone over Schecter C-1 EX Apocalypse

Decorative Top
Flame Maple Veneer vs None
Finished with beautiful natural wood patterns
Switch Positions
5 vs 3
More tone options
Neck Thickness at 1st Fret
0.787'' (20mm) vs 0.79'' (20.1mm)
More comfortable open chords for small hands
Neck Thickness at 12th Fret
0.866'' (22mm) vs 0.87'' (22.1mm)
More comfortable at higher frets for small hands
Nut Width
1.693'' (43mm) vs 1.654'' (42mm)
Less likely to mute strings by accident and more space for fingerstyle
Scale Length
26.5'' (673.1mm) vs 27'' (685.8mm)
Easier bending, shorter fret separation and warmer natural tone

Reasons to Get
Schecter C-1 EX Apocalypse over Solar A2.6FB Baritone

Fret Material
Stainless Steel vs Nickel Silver
Best fret material that will last forever
Release Year
2019 vs 2017
From a more recent year
Compound Radius
12" to 16" vs 13.78"
Balanced playability for chords and single-notes
Nut Material
Black Tusq XL vs Graphite
Good tuning stability with rich tone
Pickup Mods
Coil Split vs None
Splits humbuckers into single coil pickups
Volume Knobs
2 vs 1
More volume control
Locking Tuners
Yes vs None
Easier to change strings
Neck Thickness at 1st Fret
0.79'' (20.1mm) vs 0.787'' (20mm)
More comfortable open chords for big hands
Neck Thickness at 12th Fret
0.87'' (22.1mm) vs 0.866'' (22mm)
More comfortable at higher frets for big hands
Nut Width
1.654'' (42mm) vs 1.693'' (43mm)
Favors small hands, easier bar chords and other shapes
Luminescent Sidedots
Yes vs None
Assists you when playing in dark environments
Scale Length
27'' (685.8mm) vs 26.5'' (673.1mm)
Lower action and brighter natural tone
Value Score
79 vs 72
Better price/quality relationship

Other Key Differences
Solar A2.6FB Baritone vs Schecter C-1 EX Apocalypse

Bridge Pickup
Duncan Solar/Bridge vs Schecter USA Apocalypse-VI
Different Bridge Pickup
Neck Pickup
Duncan Solar vs Schecter USA Apocalypse-VI
Different Neck Pickup
Body Wood
Alder vs Ash
Different Body Wood
Headstock
R6 vs 3-3
Different Headstock
Nut Material
Graphite vs Black Tusq XL
Different Nut Material

Shared Features
Solar A2.6FB Baritone vs Schecter C-1 EX Apocalypse

Neck Wood
Maple
Same Neck Wood
Fretboard Wood
Ebony
Same Fretboard Wood
Strings
6
Same playing style
Body Type
Solid Body
Feedback free
Tone Knobs
1
Same tone control
Pickups
HH
High output without hum
Number of Frets
24
Same maximum octave
Paint Finish
Poly
Resistant paint that ages well
Bridge
Fixed
Good sustain and needs no set-up
Pickups Power
Passive
Cleaner sound and no battery needed
Neck Profile Type
C
Comfortable neck that works for most people
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

  • High-Quality Frets
  • Top Pickup Brand
  • Expensive Wood

Common Weaknesses

  • Neck-Through Build
  • Weight Relief
  • Stays in Tune (Evertune)
  • From a High-Quality-Standards Country
  • Strap Lock
  • 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • Active/Passive Preamp

Table of Contents

Price History Comparison

Solar A2.6FB Baritone Prices

SET PRICE ALERT

Schecter C-1 EX Apocalypse 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 C-1 EX Apocalypse is probably the better product overall with its final score of 79 compared to the Solar A2.6FB Baritone's 67 score, which is a significant difference.

The Schecter C-1 EX Apocalypse wins when it comes to sound, playability, build quality, value for the money. This means that it wins over the Solar A2.6FB Baritone in every aspect.

If you got small hands, you'll probably feel more comfortable playing the Schecter C-1 EX Apocalypse.

Which One is Better for Beginners?

If you're looking for your first guitar to learn how to play, the Schecter C-1 EX Apocalypse is the better choice.

The Schecter C-1 EX Apocalypse meets 7 out of our 8 criteria items for beginner friendliness, while the Solar A2.6FB Baritone 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 A2.6FB Baritone
  • Comfortable shape
  • Easy-to-use bridge
  • Tall frets
  • Comfortable neck
  • Comfortable fretboard
  • Narrow nut
  • Short scale
  • Locking tuners

New Player Friendliness

Schecter C-1 EX Apocalypse
  • 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 A2.6FB Baritone Overview

  • From Solar's 2017 Type A series
  • Made in Indonesia
  • 6 strings
  • 26.5"'' scale
  • 13.78" Fretboard Radius
  • Flame Maple Veneer top
  • 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
  • Fixed Bridge bridge
  • Solar C Shape Set neck
  • 24 XL Jumbo frets
  • Solar 18:1 tuners
  • Compare Specs >

Schecter C-1 EX Apocalypse Overview

  • From Schecter's 2019 Apocalypse series
  • Made in South Korea
  • 6 strings
  • 27"'' scale
  • 12" to 16" Fretboard Radius
  • Swamp Ash body
  • Maple/Padauk Multi-ply w/Carbon Fiber Reinforcement Rods neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Schecter USA Apocalypse-VI (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Schecter USA Apocalypse-VI (Humbucker/Passive)
  • 2 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Hipshot Hardtail (.125) w/ String Thru Body bridge
  • Thin C Set neck
  • 24 XL Jumbo Stainless Steel frets
  • Schecter Locking 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 A2.6FB Baritone

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 Schecter C-1 EX Apocalypse

Ash wood pattern used for guitar building
Ash

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: Schecter C-1 EX Apocalypse.

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.

Both use Passive pickups. This is what's used for most music genres. They have a regular output and will serve you for both high-gain and clean tones. The alternative (Active pickups) offer a higher output that is mostly used for heavy music.

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 A2.6FB Baritone gives you 5 switch options while the Schecter C-1 EX Apocalypse gives you 3. This means that the Solar A2.6FB Baritone gives you more options to find the right pickup combination for the type of sound you want to achieve

Only the Schecter C-1 EX Apocalypse comes with some kind of pickup modification: Coil Split.

Coil Split lets you disconnect one of the pickup coils. When used with humbuckers, it turns them into single-coil with lower output and cleaner tone.

Solar A2.6FB  Baritone pickups switch selector and push knobs diagram
Solar A2.6FB Baritone's switch options
Schecter C-1 EX Apocalypse pickups switch and push knobs diagram
Schecter C-1 EX Apocalypse'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 C-1 EX Apocalypse.

Final Sound Quality Scores

Solar A2.6FB Baritone
Pickups 85
Sustain 80
Versatility 57
Tuning Stability 70
Sound 73
Schecter C-1 EX Apocalypse
Pickups 85
Sustain 85
Versatility 66
Tuning Stability 80
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 A2.6FB Baritone compares to the Schecter C-1 EX Apocalypse.

Country of Origin

The manufacturing country can tell a lot about the build quality of an instrument. The Solar A2.6FB Baritone is built in Indonesia while the Schecter C-1 EX Apocalypse is made in South Korea.

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.

South Korea was for many years the number one choice for mass-producing semi-premium guitars. They can build excellent guitars for a cheap price. Now, it's less common to find Korean guitars because Indonesia has proved capable of building guitars just as well, but likely for cheaper.

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 A2.6FB Baritone 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 C-1 EX Apocalypse comes with a Black Tusq XL nut. TUSQ nuts are usually the highest quality you can get. Black TUSQs are made from a special slippery material that helps the strings get back to its original position (one of the keys to tune stability).

Winner: Schecter C-1 EX Apocalypse.

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.

In this comparison, the Schecter C-1 EX Apocalypse is the only one that has 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: Schecter C-1 EX Apocalypse.

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: 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: Tie.

Tuners

The Schecter C-1 EX Apocalypse 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: Schecter C-1 EX Apocalypse.

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 A2.6FB Baritone
  • Expensive Wood
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • 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
Strengths & Weaknesses
Schecter C-1 EX Apocalypse
  • Stainless Steel Frets
  • Locking Tuners
  • Expensive Wood
  • Black Tusq XL Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Coil Split Pickups
  • Luminescent Inlay
  • Compound Radius Fretboard
  • Made in South Korea
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Tremolo
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

Final Build Quality Scores

Solar A2.6FB Baritone
Quality of materials 43
Features 50
Quality Control 70
Build Quality 54
Schecter C-1 EX Apocalypse
Quality of materials 81
Features 80
Quality Control 75
Build Quality 79

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 A2.6FB  Baritone Nut Width
Solar A2.6FB Baritone Nut Width
Schecter C-1 EX Apocalypse Nut Width
Schecter C-1 EX Apocalypse Nut Width

The nut width will affect the separation between strings at the nut. In this comparison, the Solar A2.6FB Baritone 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 A2.6FB Baritone, 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 A2.6FB  Baritone's Scale Length
Solar A2.6FB Baritone's Scale Length
Schecter C-1 EX Apocalypse's Scale Length
Schecter C-1 EX Apocalypse's 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.

The Schecter C-1 EX Apocalypse has the longest scale: 27". The Solar A2.6FB Baritone is only 26.5" long. This is a 0.5'' (12.7mm) scale length difference.

This longer scale means that the strings need more tension to get in tune. This is good if you want to avoid fret buzz, which can happen when the strings are too loose and touch the frets while vibrating. This is especially important when playing in lower tunings. This will also let you reduce the gap between fretboard and strings (low action) to make them easier to press down. However, this higher tension will also make it harder to perform bends and vibratos as the strings will feel stiffer.

This also means that the frets have a longer separation between each other, so this will make it harder for people with smaller hands when playing some chord positions.

Another characteristic of a longer scale is that it makes the guitar sound 'snappier' or brighter. This is due to the extra separation between harmonics and overtones produced by the tension. This influences tone more than any other factor (except the pickups).

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 A2.6FB  Baritone Neck Profile
Solar A2.6FB Baritone's neck profile
Schecter C-1 EX Apocalypse Neck Profile
Schecter C-1 EX Apocalypse'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 A2.6FB Baritone and the Schecter C-1 EX Apocalypse 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 A2.6FB  Baritone Fingerboard Radius
Solar A2.6FB Baritone's Fingerboard radius
Schecter C-1 EX Apocalypse Fretboard Compound Radius
Schecter C-1 EX Apocalypse'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 C-1 EX Apocalypse 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 A2.6FB Baritone favors large hands more than the Schecter C-1 EX Apocalypse. But it's still more comfortable for people with small hands, as you can see in the score meter below.

Solar A2.6FB Baritone:
Big Hands
Small Hands
Schecter C-1 EX Apocalypse:
Big Hands
Small Hands

Fret Size

Solar A2.6FB  Baritone and Schecter C-1 EX Apocalypse 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 A2.6FB Baritone
Bending & Vibrato Ease 85
Chord Playability 50
Solo Playability 90
Playability 75
Schecter C-1 EX Apocalypse
Bending & Vibrato Ease 75
Chord Playability 70
Solo Playability 90
Playability 78

Specs Side-by-Side

Solar A2.6FB Baritone vs Schecter C-1 EX Apocalypse
General Solar A2.6FB Baritone Schecter C-1 EX Apocalypse
Brand: Solar Schecter
Year: 2017 2019
Configuration: HH HH
Strings: 6 6
Made in: Indonesia South Korea
Series: Type A Apocalypse
Colors: Black Matte Natural Gray
Left-Handed Version: No No
Body
Type: Solid Body Solid Body
Body Material: Alder Swamp Ash
Bridge: Fixed Bridge Hipshot Hardtail (.125) w/ String Thru Body
Neck
Neck Joint: Set Set
Tuners: Solar 18:1 Schecter Locking
Fretboard: Ebony Ebony
Neck Material: Maple Maple/Padauk Multi-ply w/Carbon Fiber Reinforcement Rods
Decoration: Solar Logo on 12th Fret Mother of Pearl Triangle at 12th and 24th fret
Scale Size: 26.5" 27"
Shape: Solar C Shape Thin C
Thickness: 1st Fret: 0.787'' (20mm) - 12th Fret: 0.866'' (22mm) 1st Fret: 0.79'' (20.1mm) - 12th Fret: 0.87'' (22.1mm)
Frets: 24 XL Jumbo Nickel Silver 24 XL Jumbo Stainless Steel
Fretboard Radius: 13.78" 12" to 16"
Nut: Graphite Black Tusq XL
Nut Width: 43mm (1.693'') 42mm (1.654'')
Electronics
Bridge Pickup: Duncan Solar/Bridge (Humbucker / Passive) Schecter USA Apocalypse-VI (Humbucker / Passive)
Middle Pickup:
Neck Pickup: Duncan Solar (Humbucker / Passive) Schecter USA Apocalypse-VI (Humbucker / Passive)
Switch: 5 Way 3 Way
Knobs: Dome Dome
Pickup Mods: None Coil Split
Volume Controls: 1 2
Tone Controls: 1 1