Brand/Model: Fender Tim Armstrong Hellcat
Number of Strings: 6
Hand Orientation: Right
Body Material: Mahogany top
Neck Material: Maple
Fretboard Material: Rosewood
Price Range: Under $400
Our Rating: 9/10
Fender’s Hellcat Tim Armstrong Review
Fender pays tribute to Rancid front man, Tim Armstrong, with the Hellcat. While it might not be the iconic black that the left-hand playing musician is known for, it still features a lot of the recognizable symbols that many punk fans identify with.
The guitar hasn’t been spray-painted black, but it does have everything vintage about it. From the pick guard to the sleek and black headstock, it’s a Tim Armstrong Hellcat all the way.
It’s made with a solid mahogany top and laminate mahogany back and sides. The maple neck is finished with satin – no cheap gloss here. The cream body bindings match perfectly with the brown aesthetics, and it couldn’t get any more vintage than that.
Fans will immediately identify with the hellcat inlays on the 3, 5, 7, and 9 frets. This wouldn’t be a Tim Armstrong Hellcat if it didn’t have the two skulls on the 12th fret. This is a bad-ass guitar!
When it comes to sound, amplified it is with the Fishman Isys III System. The mahogany top lends to its fullness, but the higher frequency range is expected to be pretty heavy.
It wouldn’t be fair to label this a beginner and entry-level guitar because it packs some powerful punch that can be maximized with a skilled musician. So, we’ll leave it at bad-ass for now.
Pros
- Price
- Vintage appeal
- Brand tribute
- Fishman Isys III System
- Scalloped X bracing
Cons
- Fret buzz/defective neck
Tim Armstrong Hellcat Reviews
There’s not much to report on the negative side of things. The only downside is the fret buzz that can be experienced with a defective neck. Because all wood is different, it’s important to maintain room conditions that support TLC of the guitar.
However, the positive far outweighs the minor marks against the Hellcat guitar. Players can’t get over the custom design work that went into making the git. They rave on and on about the inlays and little details that really make all the difference.
It’s playable right out of the box and newbies more than appreciate this important factor. For others, they like how easy it is to wield and rock on with the authentic and acoustic tones.
We can’t forget to mention buyers that love the satin finish on the neck. You can expect some fast action on this guitar, like cat out of hell fast!
- Solid Mahogany Top, Laminated Mahogany Back and Sides
- Scalloped X Bracing
- Fishman Isys III System
Alternative Acoustic-Electric Guitars to Consider
When considering an acoustic electric guitar under 400 dollars you’re going to have a heck of a time filtering through your options. Let’s help you out. The Fender Sonoran SCE Acoustic Electric Guitar falls into that budget with a traditional yet vintage appeal. It has a solid spruce top with the same Fishman pickup system.
However, if you’re a lefty like Tim Armstrong and you still want a Fender, the left-hand model is worth the hefty cost. We know, it’s not fair that you have to pay more just because you’re special. But, you’ll find it’s worth it when you have a perfect fit.
To keep things in budget perspective, the Yamaha APX500III Thinline Cutaway Acoustic-Electric Guitar is worthy competition to the Hellcat at under $300. It has an APX thinline body with the black finish. Of course there are other finishes available, but to keep things as “Tim Armstrong” as it gets, this would be your best bet.
Fender Tim Armstrong Hellcat FAQ
Is Tim Armstrong’s Hellcat a Good Guitar for a Beginner?
It’s an excellent guitar for a beginner. It has the potential to be a great instrument for any guitarist of all skill levels.
Does the Fender Hellcat come with any Accessories?
Unfortunately, the Fender Tim Armstrong Hellcat guitar doesn’t include any extra equipment or accessories. It’s a guitar-only purchase.
How to get rid of Fret Buzz?
Some reports mention fret buzzing past the 12th fret. Because this guitar is sensitive to dehydration, ensure you have a good guitar humidifier in the room to help maintain the wood of the guitar.
It should solve this problem all other trouble-shooting methods have been completed successfully.
Does this Hellcat have a Full-Scale Dreadnought Body?
It’s slightly smaller, but it maintains the dreadnought shape. It also has a full scale neck.
What’s the Finish on the Hellcat’s Acoustic Electric Guitar Body?
The neck and body has a satin finish.
Does the Fender Tim Armstrong Guitar stay in Tune?
The Fender vintage die-cast tuners keep the guitar in tune fairly well. Expect to use the built-in tuner to ensure tonal accuracy each time before you play, but you might find you won’t need it as often as you think you will.
Is this Hellcat Guitar Available in a Left-Hand Model?
Unfortunately, it’s only been manufactured in the right-hand model. However, since it’s still a new guitar, we might yet see a left-hand model if the demand is there.
Who is Tim Armstrong?
Armstrong is an American musician that was a singer and guitarist for the punk rock band Rancid. He was also part of the hip hop/punk rock band called the Transplants. He was an actor, singer, producer, and songwriter. Armstrong also created Hellcat Records in the late ’90s.
Hardware/Electronics You’ll Need:
You’ll need amplification equipment for plug-in power. You’ll also need some basic extras of accessories that you can’t go without. Don’t be left in the silence when your string snaps or your battery dies. See our lengthy list of wicked guitar accessories you can buy.
Standout Features of the Hellcat Guitar:
- Fast playability
- Comfortable size
- Satin finish
Our Verdict on the Fender Hellcat
To strum things up, the Fender Tim Armstrong Hellcat Acoustic Electric Guitar appeals to all players searching for a guitar that’s under 500 bucks. On paper, it might seem like a neat deal, but come strumming time, it’s a fierce force of music magic. It’s much more than a beginner guitar, it’s the cats-meow!
Further Reading:
- 4 Best Small Body Acoustic Electric Guitars for Adults & Children (+ Options for Little Hands)
- 5 Best Acoustic Electric Guitars For Beginners – Top Learner Instruments for Adults & Teens in2024
- 7 Best Acoustic Electric Guitars Under $200: We Review the Top Budget Options for2024
- Best Acoustic Electric Guitar Under $1000 In2024 – Top Rated & Superb Quality
- Best Acoustic Electric Guitar Under $300 In2024: Get a Top Quality Instrument for the Right Price
Trent is a music lover, musical instrument player and passionate audio afficionado.