THE GAS STATION TGR380 Polara Kim Thayil Instructions
- June 1, 2024
- THE GAS STATION
Table of Contents
THE GAS STATION TGR380 Polara Kim Thayil
Product Information
Specifications
- Body Wood: Mahogany
- Neck: Mahogany
- Scale Length: 24 3/4″ (629mm)
- Neck Shape: Vintage Soft U
- Nut Width: 1 11/16″ (43mm)
- Fingerboard Material: Indian Rosewood
- Fingerboard Radius: 12.5″ (320mm)
- Fingerboard Inlays: Blocks – Pearloid
- Frets: 22 Narrow Jumbo
- Bridge: Tune-O-Matic w/ Guild Compensated Stopbar tailpiece
- Tuning Machines: Grover Rotomatics
- Pickups: 2 x Guild HB-1 Dual-Coil Bridge
- Controls: Neck Volume & Tone, Bridge Volume & Tone, 3-way Toggle Pickup Switch, and Phase Switch
- Finish: Black
Product Usage Instructions
Handling and Care
Handle the guitar with care to avoid any damage to the body or neck. Use a soft cloth to clean the guitar after each use to maintain its finish.
Tuning
Use a guitar tuner to tune the strings to the correct pitch. Make adjustments to the tuning pegs as needed to achieve the desired tuning.
Playing Techniques
Experiment with different playing techniques to explore the versatility of the guitar. Try adjusting the tone and volume controls to customize your sound.
Maintenance
Regularly check and adjust the intonation of the guitar using the bridge saddles. Keep the fretboard clean and conditioned to ensure smooth playability.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How do I change the strings on the guitar?
A: To change the strings, loosen the tuning pegs, remove the old strings, thread the new strings through the bridge and tuning pegs, tune them to pitch, and trim any excess string length.
Q: Can I use this guitar for heavy metal music?
A: Yes, the guitar’s humbuckers and versatile controls make it suitable for various genres, including heavy metal. Experiment with different settings to achieve your desired tone.
Q: How can I adjust the action of the guitar?
A: To adjust the action, you can raise or lower the bridge saddles using an appropriate tool. Make small adjustments until you find a comfortable playing height.
It took three decades, but the wait is finally over
- Kim Thayil is not just grunge royalty, he’s one of the mostinfluential guitarists of his generation. While Thayil may not be spoken about in the same breath as Eddie Van Halen or Jimmy Page, the Soundgarden great has had a huge eff ect on alternative rock. His masterfully crafted riff s and beautifully chaotic lead work would go on in part to defi ne the Seattle sound and, in turn, inspire everyone from Alice In Chains to Nirvana, creating a sonic shockwave that is still felt to this day.
- Grunge fans have been eagerly awaiting the release of a Kim Thayil signature since the Soundgarden axe-man helped breathe new life into this almost-forgotten model in the late ’80s and early ’90s. Now, while the project may have been plagued with bad luck over the last three decades, we are glad to see the partnership fi nally bear some fruit.
- Inspired by Kim’s prized ’78 S-100, this guitar is simply stunning. Not only does this all-mahogany six-string wear its gilded gold hardware and jet-black getup well, but its attractive body style is as practical as it is handsome.
- We found the Polara to be incredibly comfortable, and the build quality here is commendable. This guitar feels as solid as a rock and the chunky body means there’s no neck dive for this double-cutaway. Speaking of the neck, Thayil has opted for a “vintage soft
- U” profi le, which certainly has some girth to it. Okay, it’s not as rounded as a vintage Les Paul, but it’s substantial enough to satisfy fans of ’70s guitars.
- Importantly, the Polara feels just at home playing D-tuned sludgy riff s as it does wailing solos and everything in between. That’s thanks in part to the unparalleled upper fret access. Just like a certain devil-horned Gibson, there’s no note on this neck that isn’t obtainable – this results in a truly inspiring guitar to play.
- As you’d expect, this new guitar seeks to equip players with all the tones they require to nail Kim’s signature sounds. The Alnico II loaded humbuckers are full, warm and pack plenty of punch – just the ticket for those aspiring to recreate the monstrous riff s from across Thayil’s remarkable discography.
- Turn down the gain and lighten your touch and this Guild will gift you shiny and sparkling cleans that are perfectly detailed and expressive. In the middle position, with the onboard phase switch engaged, the sound becomes noticeably thinner and more nasal – perfect if you want a lead line that cuts like a knife.
- It’s a given that this beautiful guitar can nail Kim’s unmistakable tones, but the sheer versatility of the Polara should most defi nitely not be outshined by the name on the headstock.
Darryl Robertson
OVERVIEW
-
DESIGN FEATURES
We love the subtle nods to Thayil’s discography, from the King Animal truss rod cover and Badmotorfinger logo on the control cover. -
HEADSTOCK
The oversized headstock takes pride of place at the top of the neck and oozes 1970s charm. -
PICKUPS
Equipped with a set of HB-1 humbuckers and an easy-to-access phase switch, you’ll be able to perfectly recreate any and all of Thayil’s iconic riffs.
AT A GLANCE
- BODY WOOD: Mahogany NECK: Mahogany SCALE LENGTH: 24 3/4” (629mm) NECK SHAPE: Vintage Soft “U” NUT WIDTH: 1 11/16 (43mm)
- FINGERBOARD MATERIAL: Indian Rosewood FINGERBOARD RADIUS: 12.5” (320mm) FINGERBOARD INLAYS: Blocks – Pearloid FRETS: 22 Narrow Jumbo
- BRIDGE: Tune-O-Matic w/ Guild Compensated Stopbar tailpiece TUNING MACHINES: Grover Rotomatics PICKUPS: 2 x Guild HB-1 Dual-Coil Bridge CONTROLS: Neck Volume & Tone, Bridge Volume & Tone, 3-way Toggle Pickup Switch, and Phase
- Switch FINISH: Black CONTACT:Guild, guildguitars.com
FEBRUARY 2024 TOTAL GUITAR