Case in point: A 2021 Guild Polara S-100 in white. I just traded for it. Had never even seen one of the Newark Street S-100s, but did get to try a couple of the USA made S-100s from the late 90s, somewhere around there. And owned a vintage S-100 from the 70s, though it came to me minus the HB1s.
Two surprises. This particular 2021 is lighter than the USA RI of that model. And - at least so far - the RI HB1 pickups are much more to my taste than the SD pickups in the 90s S-100s I've tried. This white guitar is beautiful, impressive to look at and to play. I guess you could say the overall quality is a surprise too. The neck is a bit more substantial than the vintage S100 was. Different feel altogether, the painted Polara neck vs the lacquered mahogany of the old one.
Haven't had it long, but already this white S-100 is my favorite of the Newark Street Guilds. Excellent guitar for not much money.
Two surprises. This particular 2021 is lighter than the USA RI of that model. And - at least so far - the RI HB1 pickups are much more to my taste than the SD pickups in the 90s S-100s I've tried. This white guitar is beautiful, impressive to look at and to play. I guess you could say the overall quality is a surprise too. The neck is a bit more substantial than the vintage S100 was. Different feel altogether, the painted Polara neck vs the lacquered mahogany of the old one.
Haven't had it long, but already this white S-100 is my favorite of the Newark Street Guilds. Excellent guitar for not much money.