I thought the pronounciation was unusual too. But with hindsight, I can't think of anywhere I'd likely have heard 'solder' pronounced by an American (or a Canadian) before - it doesn't normally crop up in everyday situations that I encounter, nor hear on TV. Well, at least *that* many times to become noticeable.

Perhaps this is the right place to ask how (or for other examples of where something like) "Quahog" in Family Guy is pronounced "koh-hawg" - to me it should be "kwa-hawg". The "kwa" (Qu) I presumed would sound like just like it does when we all say "quick" or "quack. That one really threw me for a while and I presumed it was a part of the comedy I "didn't get" - perhaps it still is?!