Guild Polara Kim Thayil Demo

Watch as RJ Ronquillo demonstrates the full tonal spectrum of the new Guild Polara Kim Thayil.
As part of Guild's 70th anniversary, Guild is excited to introduce the Polara Kim Thayil, an all-new signature model celebrating Soundgarden's iconic lead guitarist and his connection of over 30 years to the S-100 Polara. A pioneer of the "Seattle Sound,” Kim is synonymous with the iconic grunge tone of the '80s & ‘90s, all of which originated from his Guild S-100.
This signature model takes its specs from two of Kim's most iconic guitars. His favorite, a 1978 Guild S-100 Polara in Natural and his go-to stage guitar, a white model with gold hardware. The all Mahogany body and set neck, Guild 70s large headstock, and flagship HB-1 Humbuckers with phase switch were pivotal to creating Kim's signature guitar.
Learn More at guildguitars.c...
--- CREDITS ---
Player: R.J. Ronquillo
Guitar: Polara Kim Thayil
--- MORE ---
Guild: guildguitars.com/
Guild Instagram: @guildguitars
R.J. Ronquillo: www.rjronquillo...
R.J.'s Instagram: / rj_ronquillo

[@joeybelvedere9468]

Thank you Guild! Not only thank you for finally making a Kim Thayil model but for having RJ demo it! Next you gotta bring back those Thunderstar amps.

[@Zoso981]

Got mine yesterday, killer guitar. Feels better than the SG's i used to own.

[@GothicXlightning]

Hail the epic Thayil SG of Honor especially the one in all it's Gothic Blackness Beauty

[@RRW276]

I figured this was going to be a several thousand dollar US production model. However, it's $899 AND Guild was kind enough to allow a rosewood board. A good deal!

[@compucorder64]

I guess it would have been several thousand if it was crafted in the US. But, I'm assuming it's made in Asia. Which is fine by me, sounds and looks like a great guitar, and couldn't afford a US made guitar in Europe.

[@Coolbeans1492]

@@compucorder64its made in korea like all other non custom shop guilds… thats no bad thing as we live in 2024 and US manufacturing isnt exactly a gold standard anymore… japanese craftsmanship is superior at this stage but they dont make heritage stuff like gibson or fender. The japanese fenders are purposely held back by fender usa and the full spec models that slap usa made fenders are for the domestic market only. Imo fender shouldve just moved all production there because mij fenders tend to be a lot cooler than mim or USA. that new maple neck vintera jag is cool tho. The only exception on heritage brands in japan is gretsch guitars which do not have the quality issues US made gibsons are known for. Guitar makers like ibanez for example are technically superior instruments to american manufacturers but i dont like that type of guitar. That being said korean manufacturing has always been great and has also come a long way as well. They have been producing guitars for at least 3 decades in Korea and they have really come into their own. I think American stuff these days is marketing because they can’t produce them better than anywhere else except for the custom shops. They should’ve moved to Asian countries like Japan a long time ago for manufacturing and leaving the custom shops in America. They’re all cnc anyways and they keep hiking up prices to a point where no one will be able to buy usa anymore and it’s basically gotten that bad already.

[@compucorder64]

​@@Coolbeans1492agree, and no complaints with my Guild Polara Deluxe. There's US made guitars that are consistently higher quality - Collings come to mind. But my Polara Deluxe is very well built, and sounds great. With some of the cheaper guitars, I'm happy that where they cut corners is things I can easily upgrade, pickups, wiring, hardware. If I don't like the quality of the neck, body, finish - I send em back. Usually, the next one is a good one. I have a bargain bucket project Tele partscaster on the go. It started life as a super cheap Harley Benton TE-62 - meh pickups, but actually very likeable in other ways. But, by now, the pickups, wiring, bridge/saddle, nut is changed out. And the Tuners next. And am watching out for a second-hand Baja Tele neck to show up at some point. By that stage, it should be a lot better, and more classic, than those meh Fender Player Tele's for half the price.

[@robertwood8449]

​@@compucorder64 they did make a couple US versions, very limited , think it was around 6k for the one and maybe even 10k for the other.

[@johnnybhood7559]

This guitar is awesome.That’s now 2 Guilds I want, this and the SF-V

[@maydhsh579]

wow such great playing

[@TheGorillafoot]

RJ killing it as always.

[@juanpablonunez2310]

Ronquillo is the beast. Love it.

[@thomasbarchen]

Before KZbin guitarist like this played in bands.

[@michaelgreen5206]

WOW, this guitar sounds awesome! Thanks for the killer demo R. J.! Me thinks I want one of these badly!

[@USMC0332]

Its cool they built this one.

[@digiwaves]

This Seattle boy says “YAY Guild!”

[@albertmarkethinkpr1325]

You did good Guild! \m/

[@luisalextorres]

great video you put together!

[@jordantaylor1988]

Awesome! I've been hoping for this for a long time

[@centroproiv5614]

Man, the tones are great.

[@user-VonBand]

This is my next buy this is awesome 👌

[@foodpimpz9086]

sold

[@SunRider69]

Killer demo

[@musicnasa666]

Superb

[@waynegram8907]

What SoundGarden songs did Kim Thayil use the Out of Phase pickups sounds?

[@davesegal2631]

My question with a $900 Asian build is the build quality. Schecter and Ibanez are flawless. Can anyone weigh in on this guitar.

[@kelvinthein111]

The quality built is good, as I own one as well. Solid, no frills a heavy rock n roll guitar. Sincerely though I have played around with a few of these., trying it out in different stores, I will say it is a minimal hit or miss with them. There are ones that plays well, feels just right, and makes you play on forever., and there are ones that are just not right respectfully. If you have the opportunity, try one and play with it a little to see if it fits. Trying and playing it out is key to these awesome guitars. Hope this helps!

[@bill9989]

Put on a Maestro style vibrato and you'll have a killer guitar.

[@cartoonsandcannabis]

Wicked! Well deserved signature 🙏🏼

[@miknev5]

What kind of pedals is he using

[@warrenstemphly5756]

Sounds like all of them

[@muhammadharisahmed4650]

Does anyone know how i can purchase this in the UK?

[@GeneralTon1]

Man I want it I hope it’s atleast worldwide shipping or I might wait for a year

[@Mufuka314]

You try musicians friend?

[@MultiGoulash]

I just ordered the standard version of the Polara from Richards Guitars of Stratford Upon Avon. Because both of these guitars are new, you have to wait a little bit. Mine is due in March sometime. Give them a call, friendly folk

[@pentas365music]

Waiting for the Jesus Christ Pose intro

[@MrDanieloneill]

Ooof, that Jesus Christ Pose-ish riff at the start was cringey as hell.

[@ethanbrooks264]

They were all knock-off SG tunes lol, but it’s just for a demo so who really cares right?