Rhoads vs Soloist

[petez0r]

i dont have a soloist, but i do have 3 superstrats a kv2 and an rr1. i vote you get a kv2, it is the easiest to play sitting or standing imo, the best upper fret access, perfect balance ...just a joy to play.

[markD]

i prefer the soloist over the rr. i like strat-shapes better, and the rr is a bit too small on me.

[Mikey2201]

I prefer the Soloist by far. 24 frets vs. 22 and a smoother heel. I typically play in the classical position, but I don't like the way the Rhoads forces one to do so when sitting down.

Plus 1

[RacerX]

What year is that picture? It looks like an old style heel. My 2005 Bengal has the smooth neck, no heel.

either a shannon re-issue or like a 87ish

It IS a Shannon, good eye Gibsonmac. It's hard to find pics of the neck joint on google.

Here's one from a 2005 SL2H:

[Nightbat]

Don't own a soloist, closest I have is an Ibanez RG
But my RR1 gives the best upper fret acces of all my guitars

[Acesofbelkan]

Soloist hands down is overall a more reasonable guitar for just about everything. The fret access is slightly better, two extra frets, and a super sleek sexy looking strat shape. The Rhoads is a great guitar too, its just that the soloist is just overall a more reasonable guitar to have.

[cpph1992]

So the conclusion is soloist is more practical, and if i have extra money then a rhoads will be for standup performance and for collection

THanks a lot guys

[DonP]

So the conclusion is soloist is more practical, and if i have extra money then a rhoads will be for standup performance and for collection

THanks a lot guys

No.

The conclusion is this discussion turns into a war.

You need to go out and find which one works best for you.

[Grim]

The conclusion is to get whatever you want

Play both (side by side) if possible, and you'll know within 10 minutes which is the one for you

If neither shapes do it for you side by side, consider a Kelly or Warrior

just keep trying them until they feel right, Who cares about looks. I strap my guitar up to my chin on stage, I don't care how it looks. Strat shape is more comfortable, so I have soloists (Mine DO sound incredible but hey )

etc, etc, etc.

[Krymson86]

I have both a Soloist Pro and a KV3. I find that upper fret access is very good on the KV (which is a bolt on) but the soloist has amazing upper fret access. That being said, if there were a fire and I could only grab one...Well, I'd find a way to grab both.

The V shapes do take a tiny bit of getting used to while sitting, but they play quite comfortably once you get accustomed to them.

You can't go wrong with either guitar, but if you sit down and play both, one of them will "call" to you more than the other. Go with whichever one that is.

[Spivonious]

Really comes down to which you like better. They're made in the same shop by the same people and have the same electronics.

[Anatar]

I would say that you should probably get the soloist. The RR shape is unusual and impractical by comparison. If you have to ask, the Soloist is the obvious answer.

If you are like me, however, the RR will speak to you every time you open the case. It is visually striking, plays like a dream and makes me proud daily. I would love a Soloist and will buy one someday if I can, but ultimately it is still a strat (even if it may be the best strat there is), and relatively conservative aesthetically.

And all that gibberish about an RR1 being uncomfortable while sitting down is a load of crap. It may force you to adapt to new form, but that is a good thing in my eyes. As for balance, it has never been an issue for me in any way whatsoever, and I honestly don't know what some people are talking about regarding nosedives.

Everyone has an opinion, but I think that unless the sight of the RR1 elicits an immediate drool response, get the Soloist and enjoy it forever.

Just my 2 bits.

[RacerX]

If you are like me, however, the RR will speak to you every time you open the case. It is visually striking, plays like a dream and makes me proud daily.
Everyone has an opinion, but I think that unless the sight of the RR1 elicits an immediate drool response, get the Soloist and enjoy it forever.

Good said!