few questions. is your Sol louder that the STX while casting? my Sol makes noticeably more noise.

how do i remove the non-handle sideplate on the Sol?

thanks

The Sol MUST be a casting monster.  I spun the spool on one at BPS on Tuesday and it was still spinning on Thursday.

how do i remove the non-handle sideplate on the Sol?

thanks

Loosen the screw located in the magnetic brake control dial, twist the sideplate and it comes off:

how do i remove the non-handle sideplate on the Sol?

thanks

Loosen the screw located in the magnetic brake control dial, twist the sideplate and it comes off:

thans so much.

im taking the piece back up to BPS and ask them if its "normal". it still handles very well, but im really starting to like the STX much more.

I have a lefty SOL and out of the box it "whirred". Casting it in the backyard this winter, I seriously thought about returning it. However, the reel performs nicely and it evidently broke in cause it is even smoother and quieter than before. Fished with it this morn and I don't recall hearing any annoying "whirrrr". Also, used to have a stx, but got rid of it in favor of the sol. The stx was quiet, but could not throw the small stuff well.

Try perfomance tuning it. I had the same problem. Took it apart used toothpaste with baking soda on the gears. Spun ever so gently with a drill motor, low speed with the handle off. Clean throughly and regrease. Tip from Al Linder, in some magazine I read. Worked like a charm.