Ola Englund explores the beginnings of Solar Guitars

Ola Englund made a bold move in 2017 when he decided to step away from his successful music career with the Haunted to pursue his passion for electric guitars in a completely new direction by launching Solar Guitars. In a recent interview with Rick Beato, Englund shared his frustration with the traditional guitar industry’s outdated framework, prompting his decision to start his own guitar company.

Reflecting on his past experiences with various brands, Englund expressed disappointment with the slow pace of production, distribution, and sales within the industry. As a prominent YouTuber accustomed to the fast-paced nature of online content creation, he found the lengthy process of bringing a guitar to market through traditional channels to be frustrating. This frustration extended to his followers, who expressed interest in purchasing his signature guitars but faced challenges in finding them through conventional outlets.

Englund’s vision for Solar Guitars was to streamline the process by selling directly to consumers, eliminating the need for intermediaries who were not familiar with his work. He took a leap of faith by launching the brand with 300 guitars available for order, unsure of how they would be received. The key driving factor behind this decision was the desire to provide customers with quick access to the guitars they wanted, emphasizing the importance of timely delivery in a fast-moving world.

Unlike traditional guitar companies that rely on distributors and dealers, Solar Guitars operates on a model where they order first and sell later. This approach allows them to release guitars on their own timeline, ensuring that customers do not have to endure long waiting periods. By bypassing traditional distribution channels, Solar Guitars has been able to cater to the immediate needs of consumers, establishing a successful business model built on efficiency and responsiveness.

Recent releases from Solar Guitars have showcased innovative designs, such as a guitar that oxidizes as it is played, relic’d guitars that cater to a growing trend, and a signature model for Crowbar’s Kirk Windstein. Englund’s dedication to pushing boundaries in guitar design and his commitment to meeting customer demands have set Solar Guitars apart in the industry.

Overall, Ola Englund’s journey from frustrated musician to successful entrepreneur in the guitar industry serves as a testament to the power of challenging conventional norms and pursuing one’s vision. By recognizing the limitations of the existing framework and taking bold steps to create a new path, Englund has achieved both personal fulfillment and professional success with Solar Guitars.