Fender Artist Design Tim Armstrong Hellcat Acoustic

Specifications:
Made in China
Model Name: Tim Armstrong Hellcat Acoustic
Series: Artist Design

Body Shape: Concert
Body Back: Laminated Mahogany Back
Body Sides: Laminated Mahogany Sides
Body Top: Solid Mahogany
Body Finish:
0968300021
Satin Polyurethane Finish
Bracing: Scalloped X Bracing
Width at Heel: 2.24" (57mm)
Body Binding: Multiple Body Bindings
Neck

Number of Frets: 20
Position Inlays: "Hellcat" Position Inlays
Fretboard: Rosewood
Neck Material: Maple
Nut Width: 1.69” (43 mm)
Scale Length: 25.3" (64.3 cm)
Electronics

Special Electronics: Fishman® Isys III System with Active On-Board Pre-Amp and Tuner
Controls: Built In Chromatic Tuner with On/Off Switch, Volume, Bass, Mid, Treble
Hardware

Hardware: Chrome
Bridge: Rosewood with Compensated Saddle
Bridge Pins: White Bridge Pins with Black Dots
String Nut: Synthetic Bone
Miscellaneous

Strings: Fender® Dura-Tone® Coated 80/20 Bronze (.012-.052 Gauge)
Unique Features: 4-Ply Tortoise Shell Pickguard, Hellcat Position Inlays, Double Skull Inlays at 12th Fret, Tim Armstrong Signature on Truss Rod Cover, Cream Body Bindings, Black Painted Headstock, Urea Nut and Saddle, Black with White Dot Bridge Pins
Accessories

Included Accessories: Tim Armstrong "Let's Go" Guitar Strap

UTILIZATION

This is a cool, stylish acoustic guitar from Fender. Tim Armstrong is one of the guitarists of the punk band Rancid, and he is the main songwriter. This guitar is based off of an old beat up 1960s Fender acoustic that Tim writes all of the songs on. Being a signature model, of course Tim wanted to make some tweaks along the way - the cat inlays and big black rosette are some of the more obvious details. But Fender also included a nice Fishman pickup system and a CHROMATIC tuner! I'm so happy to see a chromatic tuner on a guitar this inexpensive - most companies that offer tuners on lower-end models skimp and make a standard EADGBE only tuner, and not everyone plays in standard tuning!

SOUNDS

The acoustic tone of the guitar is good, with bright highs, punchy mids, and a rounded low end. The voicing of this instrument is more toward the mid-frequencies, and that's a nice match for anyone strumming and singing. Fishman's electronic system helps make this guitar a lot more versatile, as it can be gigged anywhere there is a decent PA setup.

OVERALL OPINION

Overall, this is a solid guitar. Nothing fancy, except the Fishman setup is a bit better than most guitars in this range. If the cosmetic appointments aren't a distraction, I'd recommend this guitar for a beginner or 2nd guitar, budget-range songwriter, or just a fun knock-around axe.

Guitar made in China, maple neck, rosewood touch 20 Frêtes, Fishman ® Isys III Electronics System with Active On-Board Pre-Amp and Tuner side amplification

UTILIZATION

Surprisingly fun to play, a major motivation for the purchase of this folk, and pretty well set at the factory handle, the action is low. Agreements and other riffs keep coming easily and thumb managed to quickly put on the E string for certain types of games rather blues. The shape recalls the blues guitar 50s so not too low (whatever ...) but pleasant harmonies med / high, with good string sound is stunning for the range of this model, and you Nanoweb Custom elixir es tranquill 4 months 6 see .... The sound is pretty kool, I've used in the studio, pop folk, soul, reggae, indie, it was unanimous.

SOUNDS

I find it quite versatile and lightweight, can compensate for the "lack of bass" thanks to the preamp if you play amplified with AER not need .... 't have a sound sick, and I also Plugge in my fender junior and there there was very pleasant grain for blues game. Think there rose butcher if you play on stage the feedback can be violent.

OVERALL OPINION

I use it for 5 years soon bought in 2009, and I 've tried a bunch in this price range less than 500EUR, I hesitated with the Taylor Big Baby, and a Lag Tramontane, I absolutely do not regret my final choir, the evidence I always use ...

More ... handle, lightness, its effectiveness in the studio, do not hesitate on good strings you will be amazed., The action is low.

Less, the effect a little plastic box that's actually a little spooky at first, but which is in fact the matte coating of the beast. Little miss sometimes low but this is not what I asked, there are bassists for!

I remake this choice with his eyes closed, I keep it, it is by far a great guitar for its price.

Remember that this is a mid-range folk, it is not in the Martin, Taylor, or Maton .....

Manufacturing china, 20 frets, Fishman (very good yes electronic) adjustable bass, treble, middle, volume over a built-in tuner as a bonus, a super race type fender electric and grip less.

UTILIZATION

The handle is very nice access to this relatively sharp for a guitar not cut, reaching the 15 spots is the maximum we can afford what is already great.
The guitar is thin which plays horribly on his already it's an electo acoustic, the sound becomes flat asser must be given in person to give the result as a lag in acoustic.

SOUNDS

So as said before the acoustic sound is flat, apart from solo acoustic sound is average against solo on his plate is very fine and precise that it does not slam the slap but it hardly happens, it is a connected Another story, electronics plays for many the sound is warm but not a lot of relief enough good can come out of the bass guitar (or rather the amp).

OVERALL OPINION

So this was 6 months that I have, I try a lot of acoustic guitar before choosing one of the lag in the mm range of prices, epiphone, takamine ... My choice of those covered by this little fender Wonder when the hands I put my guitar string brand preference, Martin (yes I can be the taste of shit) and the disappointment completely invaded my little stocky ... after passing guitar store of weeks later I ask what is the brand with which he set up their acoustic "elixir" answers, said as soon as soon I'm up and the magic happens.
In short all that to say that the sound for me my expectations but it is not fundamentally a very good "acoustic folk" with all the resonance and depth that we could have another brand.
Over time I would do so this choice ^ ^.

Made in china, format type 000, solid mahogany table, mahogany back and sides, laminated maple neck Stratocaster style, key and rosewood bridge, 14 frets non-cash, basic lifts open like "vintage"
The electronics consists of a Fishman piezo and preamp with integrated tuner base.
Look "Tim Armstrong" (skulls ridiculous pop-up on the neck at 12th fret) is the zig because he seems a punk of 50 brushes ...
Many traces of glue on the table, the key and head of the guitar ... but it is set, the action is very low so far without curling, then inside is pretty clean.


UTILIZATION

The maple neck is nice, it really has the profile to that of a "Start", a guitarist from the electric will not feel homesick ...
RAS on ergonomics, the guitar is rather small and thin and is very lightweight.
Access to the treble is not the priority on this type of non-cutaway guitar, but without too much trouble reaching the 16-17th frets.
Unplugged gives her a typical mahogany (a bit feeble, however, seen the size but very correct) and connected to amp even if it happens is mediocre ... Piezo very, very "plastic" (should not buy it for that)

SOUNDS

Unplugged it sounds in the low mids ... the typical sound of mahogany format "boxy", it lacks a little sustain because it is not massive but it's not too bad!
Amplified: bof .... we see that there is more electric as an option rather than anything else.
In short, for the price it would be the 7 / 10 and 4 unplugged through the preamp ...

OVERALL OPINION

I do not own this guitar is one of my friends who bought a month ago that Fender on which I focus sometimes when I visited him:
I hate the look falsely vintage-punk "for pre-pubescent adolescents, the build quality seems quite questionable, but:
Less than 400 € it sounds pretty good, the table is a true mahogany (sapele and not), and it is a very easy guitar to play with its format ... as travel guitar is pretty good, but nothing more (electronics not really terrible).
In this price range for my part I would rather buy an Art & Lutherie Ami ... but for the Fender I must admit I'm surprised this guitar holds up.