This instrument was made in 1998 in Eugene Oregon, USA. It is a Solid Wood Body (literally) with the standard 19 frets found in a classical guitar. There are two onboard controls, volume and tone, which both have a considerable range of control. The body is made from Paduek which gains a rich patina as it ages. It comes with a carrying case, and there is both a deluxe (more roomy) case and a hard case available. I prefer the deluxe case for air flight and the hard case for storage/other modes of travel.
Action, Fit, & Finish:
Set up was near perfect, but should you desire a different set up, they will provide the requisit materials necessary to adjust it out. I have nothing but positive comments about the Soloette in this area of classification.
Sound Quality:
In that this is a practice/travel guitar of the classical variety, it suits my purpose perfectly. The seperate headphone jace allows for playing without bothering those around you, and it has excelled with any amplifier I have tried it with. There is no noise that you do not make yourself, and the sound is adjustable from a bright sound to a very chocolaty sound via the tone control. Likes are convenience and portability with a decent sound. Dislikes can be summarized thusly: It is hard to get back from those who try it as they don't want to quit playing it. There are many instances I will elaborate on if you contact me. Just keep in mind the purpose of the guitar and that it is not intended to take the place of a top of the line concert classical and you will agree with my evaluation I am sure.
Reliability/Durability:
This guitar is designed for travel and the attendent requirement for reliability and durability. Everything about the instrument says it will be there for the long haul so...
I have had musicians take the SOloette and finish their gigs with it, asking me to come back the next day so they could do their whole gig on it. The answer to using it on a gig with no backup is a resounding YES!!! I can depend on it 1000%
Ease of Use:
Customer Support:
Mr Wright and company understand the importance of customer service. In the guitar world, I am a nobody but was treated as if I were a premier player in all respects. I have NEVER had a problem with the Soloette in the time I have owned it, so parts 2 and 3 are without basis for answering.
Overall Rating:
As I said earlier, as long as you remember the purpose of the SOloette and do not try to compare it to an instrument costing 10x as much I don't think y0ou would have a problem. I will say that it gives several full size guitars a serious run for their money if you do your job. Those I have found to have nergative comments regarding the Soloette, have been looking for a fantasy guitar where they would sound good while having poor understanding of why they got it in the first place. I bought mine because I wanted/needed a way to bring a guitar with me when I travelled by air, and my choices were either a Mark Leaf Case, A Calton Case, or the Soloette with the costs being for all intent and purpose in the same range. I made a wise choice with the Soloette and would not hesitate to get another one if it were lost or stolen.
