Guild USA Artist Edition S-100 Polara Kim Thayil | White

A Rare Gem

Peach Guitars is privileged to offer the only one of these guitars available in the UK making this an exceptionally rare piece. This limited-edition USA Guild embodies meticulous attention to detail, using premium materials and tailored construction that mirrors Thayil's original '78 S-100. This dedication to authenticity ensures that players can experience the same magic that inspired Kim in his formative years. It is a tribute to one of grunge and rock's most influential guitarists. Released in celebration of Guild's 70th anniversary, this exclusive run of only 30 guitars worldwide has been crafted to Kim Thayil's exact specifications, and is both a collector's piece and a powerhouse built for players looking to channel the unique sound that Kim brought to Soundgarden and the rock scene at large.

Craftsmanship and Features: Built to Kim's Specs

Crafted with an Old-Growth Honduran Mahogany body and neck, the S-100 Polara offers a rich, resonant tone with plenty of sustain. The guitar also features a '70s-style Guild headstock and neck shape, identical to the one Kim favoured. The attention to detail extends to the hardware, with Grover Original Rotomatics tuners ensuring rock-solid tuning stability and playability.

A true highlight of this guitar is the inclusion of custom USA Guild HB-1 Humbuckers, handwound by Jason Lollar. These pickups are incredibly versatile, offering everything from the creamy, thick mids of traditional humbuckers to a tighter low end and sparkling highs. Equipped with a phase switch, the guitar provides a broad tonal palette, allowing for creative versatility in different musical contexts.

Pickup Switching: Versatility at Your Fingertips

1. Bridge Position: With the bridge humbucker engaged, the guitar delivers a biting tone that works exceptionally well with distortion. It's ideal for solos or aggressive rhythm playing, delivering a classic humbucker mid-range with tighter lows and shimmering highs. Rolling down the volume creates a single-coil-like chime.

2. Bridge + Neck – In Phase: Combining the bridge and neck humbuckers creates a balanced tone with thick mids, round bass, and clear trebles. The vintage-style wiring allows for nuanced interaction between the volume and tone controls, offering a wide array of tonal options.

3. Bridge + Neck – Out of Phase: Engaging the phase switch introduces a hollow, nasally tone, perfect for tones made famous by Brian May, Peter Green, BB King, Albert King and Jimmy Page,as well as being great for funk, reggae, or simply adding extra cut. Adjusting the volume of either pickup can gradually bring them back into phase, providing another layer of tonal flexibility.

4. Neck Position: The neck humbucker offers a smooth, creamy tone suitable for blues or lead playing. Unlike many humbuckers that can become muddy in this position, the Guild HB-1 brings clarity and articulation to the neck setting. The phase switch does not function in this position.

The Story Behind Kim's S-100 Connection

Kim Thayil, born in Seattle and raised in Illinois, first picked up the guitar in the mid-1970s and found his Guild S-100 at a local guitar shop. Fast-forward to 1984, when Kim co-founded Soundgarden, a band that would become a pillar of the grunge movement. His S-100 became a key element of his signature sound, known for its powerful riffs and unconventional tones. The Guild S-100 Polara Kim Thayil is a faithful reproduction of that iconic instrument, capturing the essence of his original model with period-accurate design choices and top-tier materials.

The USA Model vs. the Indonesian Version: A Detailed Comparison

Guild offers an Indonesian version of the S-100 Polara, but this highly exclusive USA model priced has several key differences that set the two apart:

• Body and Neck: The USA model boasts an Old-Growth Genuine Mahogany body and neck, while the Indonesian version uses standard Mahogany.
• Neck Shape and Nut Width: The USA model features the custom "Kim Thayil Slim C" neck shape with a 1.65" nut width, offering a unique playing experience. The Indonesian counterpart has a "Vintage Soft U" shape and a slightly wider 1 11/16" nut.
• Inlays and Frets: The USA version uses beautiful Mother-Of-Pearl block inlays and Jescar 43080 frets, as opposed to the plastic Pearloid inlays and Narrow Jumbo frets of the Indonesian version.
• Finish and Hardware: Finished in White Gloss Nitrocellulose Lacquer with gold hardware, the USA model has the authentic look and feel compared to the Vintage White Gloss Polyurethane finish on the Indonesian version. It also comes with a Guild Vintage Muller bridge instead of the Tune-O-Matic found on the standard model.
• Pickups: The USA model's pickups are hand-wired by Jason Lollar, ensuring a higher level of craftsmanship and tone quality.
• Additional Accessories: The USA model ships with a custom hardshell case and the backplate of the guitar and Certificate of Authenticity, are both hand-signed by Kim, adding hugely to its collector's value.