Sound Like Kim Thayil
During a defining era for electric guitar, Kim Thayil redefined what abrasive and emotionally direct electric guitar could sound like — and their influence on grunge has never faded. Kim Thayil of Soundgarden built his vocabulary around dissonance, open-string resonance and alternative tunings that made Soundgarden heavier than their peers without resorting to speed or conventional metal technique. Whether you're starting out or ready to invest, the rig guides below cover every budget from £200 to £2,500.
Budget Comparison
Pick Your Budget Level
£200 · Beginner
~£198
- DistortionBoss DS-1 Distortion
- AmpBoss Katana 50 MkII
£500 · Sweet Spot
~£503
- GuitarEpiphone SG Standard
- AmpBoss Katana 50 MkII
- DistortionBoss DS-1 Distortion
£1,000 · Pro-Level
~£996
- GuitarEpiphone Les Paul Special
- DistortionProCo RAT2
- FuzzAnalogman Sun Face NKT Fuzz
- AmpMarshall DSL20CR
£2,500 · Premium
~£2435
- GuitarGibson Les Paul Junior
- WahReal McCoy Custom RMC3
- DistortionFriedman BE-OD Deluxe
- FuzzThorpy FX Muffroom Cloud
- AmpMarshall DSL40CR
Tone Profile
Kim Thayil's Sound
Gibson Les Paul or SG into a Marshall head, often with a Boss DS-1 for additional gain. The key to Soundgarden's heaviness is the tuning — frequently in drop B, C, or open D — rather than pedal gain. Thayil uses open strings ringing against fretted notes to create the dissonant, droning quality of songs like "Black Hole Sun" and "Spoonman."
Tone Match
Closest Real-World Tone Match
If you like Kim Thayil's tone, these players use a similar approach — same gear philosophy, comparable sound characteristics.