Pricing and availability
We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 3 stores. Prices updated .
Store
Reviews
Price
Average Price: $475
Standard/Professional
$400
$1001+
Price Tier
Budget
Standard
High-end
Price History
Based on price data from 1 merchant for "Guild Newark St. Collection Polara". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.
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Description
The Guild Newark St. Collection Polara is a modern twist on a beloved classic, echoing the iconic solid body electric guitars Guild was known for in the 1970s. With its solid mahogany body and unique offset double-cutaway design, this guitar offers not only aesthetic appeal but also functional brilliance—ensuring effortless access across the entire fretboard. The Vintage Soft "U"-shaped neck profile, crafted from mahogany, provides a comfortably chunky feel that invites hours of play without fatigue, while the 22-fret Indian rosewood fingerboard offers a smooth playing experience.
At the heart of the Polara's sound are the uncovered HB-2+ humbuckers, known for their vintage-inspired tone infused with enough power to drive any amp into overdrive. Whether you aim for crystal-clear cleans or robust, distorted riffs, these pickups deliver with precision. Each pickup features its own volume and tone control, providing a wide range of sonic possibilities suited for any playing style.
The hardware of the Polara is as dependable as it is stylish. The Guild Tune-o-matic bridge is perfect for palm muting aficionados, and the Rotomatic-style tuners ensure your instrument stays in tune through every gig. Visually, the Polara is completed with understated dot inlays, a distinctive headstock logo, and gleaming nickel hardware that is sure to catch eyes under stage lights.
Key Features:
- Solid mahogany body with offset double-cutaway design
- Vintage Soft "U"-shaped mahogany neck
- 22-fret Indian rosewood fingerboard
- Uncovered HB-2+ humbuckers for powerful, vintage tone
- Individual volume and tone controls for each pickup
- Guild Tune-o-matic bridge for enhanced playability
- Rotomatic-style tuners for stable tuning
- Dot fingerboard inlays and nickel hardware for a classic look
Product specs
| Number of Strings | 6 |
| Left-/Right-handed | Right-handed |
| Body Type | Solidbody |
| Body Shape | Polara |
| Body Material | Mahogany |
| Body Finish | Polyurethane |
| Neck Material | Mahogany |
| Neck Shape | Vintage Soft U |
| Neck Joint | Set Neck |
| Radius | 12.5" |
| Fingerboard Material | Indian Rosewood |
| Fingerboard Inlay | Pearloid Dots |
| Number of Frets | 22, Narrow Jumbo, Nickel |
| Scale Length | 24.75" |
| Nut Width | 1.6875" |
| Nut Material | Composite |
| Bridge/Tailpiece | Guild Tune-O-Matic, string-thru body |
| Tuners | Grover Rotomatics |
| Neck Pickup | Guild HB-2+ Humbucker |
| Bridge Pickup | Guild HB-2+ Humbucker |
| Controls | 1 x volume, 1 x tone |
| Switching | 3-way toggle pickup switch |
| Strings | D'Addario EXL110 .010-.046 |
| Case/Gig Bag | Sold Separately |
FAQs
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What type of neck profile does the Guild Newark St. Collection Polara have?
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The Guild Newark St. Collection Polara features a Vintage Soft U neck profile, offering a comfortable grip and smooth playability for both rhythm and lead guitarists.
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What kind of pickups are equipped on the Guild Newark St. Collection Polara?
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The guitar is equipped with Guild HB-2+ humbuckers in both the neck and bridge positions, providing a rich, warm tone suitable for a variety of music genres.
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Is the Guild Newark St. Collection Polara suitable for beginners?
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While it offers high-quality components and sound, the Guild Newark St. Collection Polara is more suited for intermediate to advanced players due to its specific features and setup.
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What is the scale length of the Guild Newark St. Collection Polara?
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The scale length of this guitar is 24.75 inches, which is typical for many classic electric guitars and contributes to its playability and tone.
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Does the Guild Newark St. Collection Polara come with a case or gig bag?
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No, the Guild Newark St. Collection Polara does not come with a case or gig bag; these must be purchased separately.
Reviews
PROS
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Gorgeous dark and growly tone perfect for jazzy and fuzzed-out styles
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Extremely lightweight, making it very comfortable for long playing sessions
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Excellent out-of-the-box fretwork with no sharp frets or buzz
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High-quality craftsmanship, comparable to much more expensive USA-made guitars
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Articulate HB1 pickups pair well with drive/fuzz pedals
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Flawless finish with eye-catching mother of pearl inlay work
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Superior tuning stability even during bends
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Neck is comfortable with no neck dive issues
CONS
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May require additional setup work out of the box
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Some players may not prefer the stock pickups, opting for replacements
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Tight fit in the control cavity for aftermarket electronics
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Guild Newark St. Collection Polara.
Mods and upgrades
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HB-2+ pickups with Alnico 5 magnets can be swapped for Pearly Gates Alnico 2 in neck and Skookum Humbucker Alnico 4 in bridge for warmth.
Source
Setup and maintenance
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The tuners, similar to those on classical guitars, can be tightened for better performance and reliability.
Source -
An owner resolved an intermittent grounding issue themselves, indicating potential wiring concerns with some units.
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One user reported that their Polara came with old strings and a poor setup from Guitar Center, yet still played satisfactorily.
Source
Features and functionality
User experience
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Intonation is excellent out of the box for the night edition, with better tuning stability than other guitars owned by players.
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A Kim Thayil S-100 was purchased for $675 plus tax with free shipping, highlighting its accessibility.
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Some users find the neck massive, leading to neck dive issues, while others report no neck dive due to the lightweight body.
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A 2024 Polara Deluxe owner notes no neck dive issues, indicating potential improvements in build or design over previous models.
Source
Use cases and applications
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Deluxe version is noted for its trebly, punchy sound suitable for distortion, whereas the Standard version provides a more rounded tone.
Source
5.0 out of 5
Based on 1 Review and 1 Rating
488
Hello, new secondary guitar!
So yes, I got rid of my third Squier 51. And I thought to myself: "Right. I need to find something I can be happy with. Maybe I need to spend a little bit more money than before."
I had been lusting after the Guild Surfliner Deluxe, but they weren't nice enough to me to justify the pricetag. But I've played a Voltage Yellow Polara in a used shop before and was impressed. And now? I have it.
Yes, it may be construed as a 'hipster SG', but it is better. The SG's covered pickups sounded muffled and frankly kinda weak. By comparison, the Guild humbuckers in this thing are bright, but warm enough to be humbuckers. Where it really shines is when you throw some gain into the signal - this thing absolutely screams.
And given that these usually go for $549, and I got mine for a fair bit less? I'm going to hold onto this thing.
(Update: Once I get my Surfliner Deluxe out of layaway, this will become my secondary guitar!)
Genre Usage
Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.
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