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Solar V1.6AFBB
Ibanez RG8527 j.custom
VS
Playability
73
Sound
81
Build
71
Value
70
Score
75
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Playability
73
Sound
81
Build
75
Value
61
Score
76
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Solar V1.6AFBB vs Ibanez RG8527 j.custom

Reasons to Get
Solar V1.6AFBB over Ibanez RG8527 j.custom

Fret Material
Stainless Steel vs Nickel Silver
Best fret material that will last forever
Frets Height
Taller vs Shorter
Easier to press down strings and bend them
Neck Profile
Solar C Shape vs RG j.custom Wizard-7
Comfortable neck that works for most people
Pickup Mods
Multi-Voicing vs None
Changes the voice (tones or gain) of the pickups
Strings
6 vs 7
Narrower neck and fewer strings to change
Locking Tuners
Yes vs None
Easier to change strings
Neck Thickness at 1st Fret
0.787'' (20mm) vs 0.748'' (19mm)
More comfortable open chords for big hands
Neck Thickness at 12th Fret
0.866'' (22mm) vs 0.827'' (21mm)
More comfortable at higher frets for big hands
Nut Width
1.693'' (43mm) vs 1.89'' (48mm)
Favors small hands, easier bar chords and other shapes
Luminescent Sidedots
Yes vs None
Assists you when playing in dark environments
Bridge
Evertune vs Lo-Pro Edge
Fixed bridge that will keep the guitar in tune forever
Fretboard Radius
13.78'' (350mm) vs 17'' (431.8mm)
More curved fretboard helpful to play chords without muting strings
Pickups Power
Active vs Passive
More output
Value Score
70 vs 61
Better price/quality relationship

Reasons to Get
Ibanez RG8527 j.custom over Solar V1.6AFBB

Country of Manufacturing
Japan vs Indonesia
Built with higher quality standards
Release Year
2023 vs 2020
From a more recent year
Neck Profile
RG j.custom Wizard-7 vs Solar C Shape
Thin neck for playing fast
Nut Material
Locking vs Graphite
Best tuning stability for intense tremolo usage
Neck Joint
Bolt-On vs Set
Allows you to detach and swap the neck
Strings
7 vs 6
Allows you to play lower notes
Switch Positions
5 vs 3
More tone options
Neck Thickness at 1st Fret
0.748'' (19mm) vs 0.787'' (20mm)
More comfortable open chords for small hands
Neck Thickness at 12th Fret
0.827'' (21mm) vs 0.866'' (22mm)
More comfortable at higher frets for small hands
Nut Width
1.89'' (48mm) vs 1.693'' (43mm)
Less likely to mute strings by accident and more space for fingerstyle
Strap Lock
Yes vs None
Protects your guitar from dropping by locking the strap
Bridge
Lo-Pro Edge vs Evertune
Intense vibratos with more features than a Floyd Rose
Fretboard Radius
17'' (431.8mm) vs 13.78'' (350mm)
Flatter fretboard makes it easier to play single notes and bend
Pickups Power
Passive vs Active
Cleaner sound and no battery needed

Other Key Differences
Solar V1.6AFBB vs Ibanez RG8527 j.custom

Bridge Pickup
Fishman Fluence Modern Ceramic vs DiMarzio PAF 7
Different Bridge Pickup
Neck Pickup
Fishman Fluence Modern Alnico vs DiMarzio PAF 7
Different Neck Pickup
Headstock
R6 vs 7
Different Headstock
Nut Material
Graphite vs Locking
Different Nut Material

Shared Features
Solar V1.6AFBB vs Ibanez RG8527 j.custom

Body Wood
Mahogany
Same Body Wood
Neck Wood
Maple
Same Neck Wood
Fretboard Wood
Ebony
Same Fretboard Wood
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
Paint Finish
Poly
Resistant paint that ages well
Scale Length
25.5'' (647.7mm)
Same string tension and fret separation
Decorative Top
Flame Maple Veneer vs AAA Flamed Maple (4mm)
Finished with beautiful natural wood patterns
Type of Frets
XL Jumbo vs Jumbo
You won't feel the fretboard when pressing down the strings

Common Strengths

  • Top Pickup Brand
  • Expensive Wood

Common Weaknesses

  • Weight Relief
  • Compound Radius Fretboard
  • 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • Active/Passive Preamp

Table of Contents

Price History Comparison

Solar V1.6AFBB Prices

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Which One is Better Overall?

After going through our comparison algorithm, the results show that the Ibanez RG8527 j.custom is probably the better product overall with its final score of 76 compared to the Solar V1.6AFBB's 75 score, although not by a lot.

The Ibanez RG8527 j.custom wins when it comes to build quality. On the other hand, the Solar V1.6AFBB has the upper hand when it comes to value for the money.

If you got small hands, you'll probably feel that the Solar V1.6AFBB is easier to play.

Which One is Better for Beginners?

Both meet 3 out of our 8 criteria items for beginner friendliness. 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. If you're looking for your first guitar to learn how to play, you can't go wrong with either of them.

New Player Friendliness

Solar V1.6AFBB
  • Locking tuners
  • Tall frets
  • Comfortable neck
  • Comfortable shape
  • Comfortable fretboard
  • Narrow nut
  • Short scale
  • Easy-to-use bridge

New Player Friendliness

Ibanez RG8527 j.custom
  • 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 V1.6AFBB Overview

  • From Solar's 2020 Type V series
  • Made in Indonesia
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 13.78" Fretboard Radius
  • Flame Maple Veneer top
  • Mahogany body
  • Maple neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Fishman Fluence Modern Ceramic (Humbucker/Active)
  • Neck pickup: Fishman Fluence Modern Alnico (Humbucker/Active)
  • 1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
  • 3-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 >

Ibanez RG8527 j.custom Overview

  • From Ibanez's 2023 RG series
  • Made in Japan
  • 7 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 17" Fretboard Radius
  • AAA Flamed Maple (4mm) top
  • African Mahogany body
  • Maple/Wenge neck
  • Bound Macassar Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: DiMarzio PAF 7 (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: DiMarzio PAF 7 (Humbucker/Passive)
  • 1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
  • 5-way Switch
  • Lo-Pro Edge 7 bridge
  • RG j.custom Wizard-7 Bolt-On neck
  • 24 Jumbo frets
  • Gotoh machine heads 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
Mahogany wood pattern used for guitar building
Mahogany

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.

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: 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.

You can purchase similar pickups to the Solar V1.6AFBB's and use them on any guitar:

The Solar V1.6AFBB's pickups are Active while the Ibanez RG8527 j.custom's are Passive.

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 Ibanez RG8527 j.custom gives you 5 switch options while the Solar V1.6AFBB gives you 3. This means that the Ibanez RG8527 j.custom gives you more options to find the right pickup combination for the type of sound you want to achieve

Only the Solar V1.6AFBB 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 V1.6AFBB pickups switch and push knobs diagram
Solar V1.6AFBB's switch options
Ibanez RG8527 j.custom pickups switch selector and push knobs diagram
Ibanez RG8527 j.custom'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: Ibanez RG8527 j.custom.

Final Sound Quality Scores

Solar V1.6AFBB
Pickups 85
Sustain 80
Versatility 59
Tuning Stability 100
Sound 81
Ibanez RG8527 j.custom
Pickups 85
Sustain 80
Versatility 72
Tuning Stability 85
Sound 81

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 V1.6AFBB compares to the Ibanez RG8527 j.custom.

Country of Origin

The manufacturing country can tell a lot about the build quality of an instrument. The Solar V1.6AFBB is built in Indonesia while the Ibanez RG8527 j.custom is made in Japan.

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.

Japan has a long history of high-quality guitar building. Little has changed in terms of their manufacturing and quality control over the years. Many guitars made in this country can be compared—and even beat—others made in the US.

Winner: Ibanez RG8527 j.custom

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 V1.6AFBB 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 Ibanez RG8527 j.custom comes with a Locking nut. Instead of a regular nut, this guitar has a locking system that will lock down the strings at the nut, preventing it from getting out of tune. It removes one of the disadvantages of tremolo bridges, tune stability.

Winner: Ibanez RG8527 j.custom.

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 Solar V1.6AFBB 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: Solar V1.6AFBB.

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 V1.6AFBB'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 Ibanez RG8527 j.custom's is a Lo-Pro Edge. Similar to the original Edge bridge design by Ibanez, but with a lower profile (more discrete and less likely to interfere with your picking). It comes with the same improvements over Floyd Rose tremolos as the Edge: push-in arm, replaceable knife edges, more sustain, smaller saddles, and more. These bridges offer tons of versatility, but they also require more work than simpler tremolos to set up.

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 V1.6AFBB 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.

Nevertheless, the Ibanez RG8527 j.custom has a locking nut, so it should have even better tune stability and doesn't need locking tuners.

Winner: Solar V1.6AFBB.

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 V1.6AFBB 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 Ibanez RG8527 j.custom 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: Ibanez RG8527 j.custom.

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

Strengths & Weaknesses
Solar V1.6AFBB
  • Stainless Steel Frets
  • Locking Tuners
  • Expensive Wood
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Multi-Voicing Pickups
  • Stays in Tune (Evertune)
  • Luminescent Inlay
  • Made in Indonesia
  • No High-Quality Nut
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Tremolo
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock
Strengths & Weaknesses
Ibanez RG8527 j.custom
  • Made in Japan
  • Expensive Wood
  • Locking Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Tremolo
  • Retainer Bar
  • Strap Lock
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Luminescent Inlay
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio

Final Build Quality Scores

Solar V1.6AFBB
Quality of materials 63
Features 70
Quality Control 80
Build Quality 71
Ibanez RG8527 j.custom
Quality of materials 55
Features 70
Quality Control 100
Build Quality 75

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 V1.6AFBB Nut Width
Solar V1.6AFBB Nut Width
Ibanez RG8527 j.custom Nut Width
Ibanez RG8527 j.custom Nut Width

The nut width will affect the separation between strings at the nut. In this comparison, the Ibanez RG8527 j.custom has the wider nut with 48mm (1.89'') vs 43mm (1.693''). This is a 5mm (0.197'') difference

This means that it will be more difficult to do bar chords on the Ibanez RG8527 j.custom, 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 V1.6AFBB and Ibanez RG8527 j.custom'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 V1.6AFBB Neck Profile
Solar V1.6AFBB's neck profile
Ibanez RG8527 j.custom Neck Profile
Ibanez RG8527 j.custom'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 V1.6AFBB 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 Ibanez RG8527 j.custom, on the other hand, has a Wizard neck. This is thinner than most C-type necks. It won't get in your way if you want to play fast solos. It's not as slim as 'Super Wizard' necks, so it might fit you better if you don't like ultra-thin necks.

Fretboard Radius

Solar V1.6AFBB Fingerboard Radius
Solar V1.6AFBB's Fingerboard radius
Ibanez RG8527 j.custom Fingerboard Radius
Ibanez RG8527 j.custom'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 V1.6AFBB's fingerboard radius is smaller, which means it's more curved than the Ibanez RG8527 j.custom'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 Ibanez RG8527 j.custom.

Still, both tend to favor soloing over chords, so if you're looking for a guitar for playing rhythm, you might want something else with a radius closer to a Stratocaster's 9.5''.

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 Ibanez RG8527 j.custom favors large hands more than the Solar V1.6AFBB.

Solar V1.6AFBB:
Big Hands
Small Hands
Ibanez RG8527 j.custom:
Big Hands
Small Hands

Fret Size

Solar V1.6AFBB Frets Size
Solar V1.6AFBB's Frets Size
Ibanez RG8527 j.custom Frets Size
Ibanez RG8527 j.custom's Frets Size

The Solar V1.6AFBB has XL Jumbo frets, which should be taller than the Ibanez RG8527 j.custom's Jumbo frets.

Some people prefer taller frets because they result in more sustain since the strings get pressed cleanly without interference from the fretboard. However, if they're too tall—like Jumbo frets—, you might change the pitch of the strings accidentally if you press too hard because you won't be touching the fretboard with your fingers. This is also why some guitarists with a heavy grip prefer smaller frets. They like to feel the fingerboard to avoid pressing down too hard and getting out of pitch.

Final Playability Scores

Solar V1.6AFBB
Bending & Vibrato Ease 80
Chord Playability 50
Solo Playability 90
Playability 73
Ibanez RG8527 j.custom
Bending & Vibrato Ease 80
Chord Playability 50
Solo Playability 90
Playability 73

Specs Side-by-Side

Solar V1.6AFBB vs Ibanez RG8527 j.custom
General Solar V1.6AFBB Ibanez RG8527 j.custom
Brand: Solar Ibanez
Year: 2020 2023
Configuration: HH HH
Strings: 6 7
Made in: Indonesia Japan
Series: Type V RG
Colors: Black Burst Matte Black
Left-Handed Version: No No
Body
Type: Solid Body Solid Body
Body Material: Mahogany African Mahogany
Bridge: Evertune F-Type Lo-Pro Edge 7
Neck
Neck Joint: Set Bolt-On
Tuners: Solar 18:1 Locking Type Gotoh machine heads
Fretboard: Ebony Bound Macassar Ebony
Neck Material: Maple Maple/Wenge
Decoration: Solar Logo on 12th Fret Tree of Life
Scale Size: 25.5" 25.5"
Shape: Solar C Shape RG j.custom Wizard-7
Thickness: 1st Fret: 0.787'' (20mm) - 12th Fret: 0.866'' (22mm) 1st Fret: 0.748'' (19mm) - 12th Fret: 0.827'' (21mm)
Frets: 24 XL Jumbo Stainless Steel 24 Jumbo Nickel Silver
Fretboard Radius: 13.78" 17"
Nut: Graphite Locking
Nut Width: 43mm (1.693'') 48mm (1.89'')
Electronics
Bridge Pickup: Fishman Fluence Modern Ceramic (Humbucker / Active) DiMarzio PAF 7 (Humbucker / Passive)
Middle Pickup:
Neck Pickup: Fishman Fluence Modern Alnico (Humbucker / Active) DiMarzio PAF 7 (Humbucker / Passive)
Switch: 3 Way 5 Way
Knobs: Dome Dome
Pickup Mods: Multi-Voicing None
Volume Controls: 1 1
Tone Controls: 1 1