Crafted with a Mahogany body and neck, adorned with a Guild 70’s headstock, the Polara Kim Thayil pays tribute to Kim’s favorite features from his ’78 S-100. Equipped with Grover Original Rotomatics® tuners for stability, Guild HB-1 Humbuckers with Alnico II Magnets for warm yet articulate timbre, and a phase switch accurate to vintage spec. The Polara Kim Thayil features the “Badmotorfinger” back cover and “King Animal” truss rod cover, emblematic of Soundgarden’s legacy. A bound Rosewood fingerboard with Pearloid block inlays, Tune-o-Matic bridge & compensated stopbar tailpiece enhance playability. Celebrating Guild’s 70th anniversary, this model embodies Kim’s distinctive style and connection to the S-100 Polara.

Kim's Connection to the S-100 Polara

Born in Seattle, WA (but raised in Park Forest, Illinois), Kim Thayil picked up his first guitar in the mid 1970's. It was around this time that he bought a Guild S-100 guitar at his local guitar shop, which he notes "ultimately was the one I could afford to buy." Fast-forward a few years, Seattle-based rock band Soundgarden was born, which Kim co-founded with singer Chris Cornell and bassist Hiro Yamamoto in 1984. Using his S-100, Kim created his own original style that helped propel Soundgarden to the top of the Seattle rock heap in the '80s & '90s - where they are still considered one of the greatest grunge bands of all time. With its Guild '70s large headstock, Mahogany construction and HB-1 pickups, the new Polara Kim Thayil captures the same magic Kim discovered while playing his first S-100 Polara.

All instruments from the Old Town School Music Store are professionally evaluated in our climate-controlled storefront before shipping, and directly support the missions, programs, and continued growth of the Old Town School of Folk Music.

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