Soloway LN7 Swan

This is the 7 string version of Jim's Swan series. Semi-hollow body design with 27 inch scale length, two Dimarzio humbuckers with coil-splitter switch, pao ferro fretboard one volume and tone knob, etc. Details are available at the Soloway website. This particular model is finished in nice translucent cherry color and was a guitar that Jim himself gigged with for several months before offering it up.

Of note is the neck and fretboard, which are wide and flat -- basically a shredder profile more or less. This setup, plus the extended scale length, makes the guitar particularly well suited for two-handed tapping and other styles requiring a flat fretboard. That's not to say it isn't also good for blues and other "traditional" styles (indeed, Jim used it for fingerstyle jazz), just that if you're used to a vintage Strat neck radius or a Les Paul-type scale length, the Swan will take some getting used to. Once you do become accustomed to it, though, all other guitars will seem "congested." The spacing above the 12th fret is particularly nice for me, since my fingers tend to get tangled up on smaller guitars.

As far as "features" are concerned, the only possibly desirable feature this guitar lacks is some type of trem. Soloway may offer that as an option; I don't know.

The sound is very clear and present, which is nice. I can't say that I notice a *drastic* tonal difference between it and my other similarly-equppied guitars, but it does seem to have a bit more clarity and punch, for lack of better descriptive terms. I also noticed that on higher gain settings and/or at higher volume, the Swan tends toward a nice, sutaining, musical feedback, which is very cool. By contrast, on the same amp and volume settings my Yamaha SG just fed back noise. The stock Dimarzio PUs are fairly low output, but that hasn't really been a problem.

The seventh string on this guitar really adds some heft to the sound, which is one of the main reasons I was interested in it. I keep the seventh string tuned to low A and the extended scale length of the Swan makes that a breeze. On both clean and higher gain settings, chords and riffs using the seventh string sound positively huge, but not muddy. This may or may not work well with a bassist who is trying to inhabit the same sonic space (I haven't tried it), but for playing solo or jamming with other guitarists, it is awesome. It makes all other seven strings (at least the ones I've played) seem wimpy and flabby by comparison.

Complaints on the tone? Only two minor issues. First, with the tone control turned all the way up, the Swan seems pretty bright through my equipment (Marshall JCM 800, Line6 Duoverb). I almost always leave the tone control at about 1/3 of the way down or more, which fixes the problem for me. Also, I suspect a different pot would rectify the situation for those inclined to change it. The other thing is simply an observation that while the split coil sound is pretty good, it's not going to be mistaken for a true single coil sound by any stretch. When I need an "authentic" Strat or Tele sound, this guitar won't do it. But that's true of all split 'buckers in my experience, and the split-coil sounds on the Swan certainly have their own virtues.

The action on this guitar is amazing. It is low, but with virtually no fret buzz. Intonation up the neck is also very impressive; the best I've ever heard on a guitar without a special compensated tuning system.

Fit and finish is also top-notch. I'm admittedly not a real snob in this area (I like players more than lookers), but the Swan passes the test for me. The neck pocket on the guitar is rock solid and the finish is very attrative. The various wood appointments and such add a nice touch as well. My only niggles are that the finish or faux binding around the f-hole doesn't quite line up with the contour of the hole in a few instances, and the tone knob is a bit tight and hard to turn in one spot. Nothing I'm real concerned about.

The Swan seems *very* solid and thus far has withstood both Jim's gigging experiences and my less-than-pampering treatment of it. I have no concerns it's durability -- it seems at least as sturdy as any guitar I've tried and moreso than most of them.

Did I mention yet that it is light? Increadibly so. I was stunned when I first received it. For a guitar its size and shape, the lack of bulk is amazing (and appreciated by my aging back and shoulders). Nevertheless, as I mentioned above, it feels very solid and substantial. I've had a few other featherweight guitars (e.g., Parker Fly Deluxe), and while the light weight was a bonus, the guitars felt fragile and missing in necessary heft. Indeed the Fly felt almost like playing a cardboard cutout of a guitar. Not so with the Swan at all. Looking at it, you would never guess its lightness.

I spoke with Jim on the phone for about an hour before opting for the Swan, and he was both friendly and very knowledgeable about his craft. His devotion to Soloway guitars is evident and there is no doubt in my mind that he stands behind everything his company makes 100%

Great guitar overall. The longer scale length takes some getting used to, but it really provides you with some breathing room once you do. I wouldn't necessarily recommend it for people with small, stubby fingers or those who find Strat scale guitars to be hard to play, but if you have normal sized or better fingers, you should be fine. The sound is very clear and articulate and would be suitable for any style of music where true single coil sounds are not absolutely required. The seventh string really fills out the sound and provides devastating low end if you want it.

I acquired this guitar on kind of a lark after becoming attracted by its unique features and sound, and I have not regretted it. At first I was a bit concerned that the wide neck and flat fretboard, coupled with the 27 inch scale, might not work out for me, but after having it for a few months I feel that it's really growing on me. It is superbly constructed and is a definite head-turner. Jim is very accessible and helpful, and I would recommend the Swan to anyone looking for something a bit different but not so much so that it becomes a novelty item. Once you've tried 27 inches, you may never turn back.