If you’re thinking about getting the Fender Tim Armstrong Hellcat acoustic guitar and you’re not sure if it’s worth it or not, you’ve come to the right place! In today’s in-depth review, I’m going to take a very close look on that unique model. It’s a really popular mid-range guitar, but is it actually good?
The truth is that Fender Tim Armstrong Hellcat acoustic guitar offers a great value for the money. This model sounds, feels and looks like a much more expensive guitar. Surely, a lot of guitarists will immediately fall in love with it!
Let’s dive deeper with research to find out what exactly makes that guitar so good and so popular among the guitarists all around the world. Firstly, we’ll have a look at the specifications of that model. Additionally, we’ll check out the biggest pros and cons of that guitar. Of course, there will be a few sound demos included as well!
Specs & Pricing
*If you’re from Europe, you can also check out this guitar on Thomann.*
Fender Tim Armstrong Hellcat is an excellent acoustic-electric guitar designed for the most demanding guitarists out there. This is a really unique, vintage-style guitar which is completely different than other acoustic models made by Fender.
What makes it so cool? Well, this particular model features a solid mahogany top with mahogany back and sides, a comfortable maple neck and an easy-playing walnut fingerboard. The neck is a big advantage of that model, because it allows you to practice for several hours without getting tired.
What’s important, Fender equipped this model with the Fishman Tim Armstrong preamp which allows you to efficiently use that guitar during live performances. It also has a built-in tuner, so that’s an another great feature for all working musicians.
It is also worth mentioning that the Tim Armstrong Hellcat model looks absolutely beautiful too! There’s something really cool about that natural and vintage-style design. The tuners used in that model also feature an interesting oldschool vibe.
When it comes to pricing, this isn’t the cheapest acoustic guitar in the world, but it’s still quite affordable. Surely, it offers a fantastic value for the money and it’s not overpriced at all. That’s why I highly encourage you to check it out!
Here’s the sound demo.
Who Is It For?
Fender Tim Armstrong is suitable for both amateur and more advanced guitar players. Honestly, it doesn’t really matter whether you’re a complete beginner or an intermediate guitarist – you will definitely enjoy playing on that axe.
However, since it’s an acoustic-electric guitar, most of the time it’s used by guitarists who like performing live.
Whether you want to play in front of your friends, jam with other guitarists or play a gig for a large audience, you can be sure that this acoustic model won’t let you down.
It is also worth mentioning that this signature Tim Armstrong guitar is also very versatile, so it can be used for various different genres of music. Whether you prefer strumming or playing with your fingers, this guitar will do the job.
Lastly, bear in mind that this is an affordable acoustic-electric guitar, so it’s also perfect for guitarists who don’t want to pay too much for new gear. Honestly, it won’t be easy to find a better axe at this price level!
Here’s an another sound demo.
Pros & Cons
Just like any other acoustic-electric guitar available on the market, Fender Tim Armstrong Hellcat has its own advantages and disadvantages. You don’t have to worry about it too much – you’ll see that there are far more pros than cons in this case!
Pros
- Great Tone
- Stunning Look
- Perfect For Gigs
- Vintage Style
- Built-In Tuner
- Perfect For Fans Of Tim Armstrong
Cons
- No Gig Bag Included
As you can see, there are a lot of things that can be considered as major advantages of that axe. It looks, sounds and feels great. On top of that it’s perfect for gigs and it’s available at a relatively low price. How can you argue with that?
On the other hand, it usually comes without an included gig bag or case.
This is not a huge disadvantage, but it’s pretty annoying. You’ll have to spend some time to find a high quality case or gig bag that only only fits this model, but also provides a high level of protection.
Still, I’m positive that the advantages of that model outweigh the disadvantages of that guitar. The truth is that even though it isn’t a perfect axe, it still exceeds all the expectations. And that’s why I highly recommend checking it out!
Fender Tim Armstrong 12-String Hellcat
What’s interesting, Fender also manufactures an another version of the Tim Armstrong Hellcat model – it has 12 strings! Surely, this particular model will also be a really interesting option for a lot of guitar players out there.
Just like the original 6-string model, it features an all-mahogany construction and the same aesthetic. It’s pretty much the same guitar, but with a double amount of strings.
If you’re searching for a solid 12-string guitar suitable for live performances, you should definitely consider getting it for yourself. There’s a really high chance that you’re going to love it.
Here’s a fantastic demo of the 12-string version – feel free to check it out below.
No Case Included? Not A Problem
As you’re already aware, the Tim Armstrong Hellcat model is usually sold without a gig bag or case. Since the body of this guitar is a bit smaller, finding the case that fits perfectly can be challenging .
However, there’s one multi-fit hardshell case that will work perfectly for that axe – feel free to check it out below.
It offers a very good level of protection against any external damage, so you can be sure that your guitar will be safe inside of it. On top of that, it’s actually quite affordable!
My Thoughts About Fender Guitars
I have to admit that I’m a huge fan of acoustic guitars manufactured by Fender. I had the pleasure to test out quite a lot of their models throughout the years and their quality was always on point.
Out of my experience, most of the cheap and mid-level acoustic guitars made by Fender have a really good setup, however sometimes their string action is a bit too high. On the other hand, it all depends on where you get your guitar from. And even if that happens to you, the string action can be easily adjusted.
I can definitely recommend Fender acoustic guitars to all guitarists who are searching for good, inexpensive and reliable axes. They really know how to manufacture great sounding acoustic guitars!
Other Acoustic Guitars
If you’re not happy with the quality or sound of Fender Tim Armstrong, that’s not a big problem! There’s still quite a lot of other acoustic-electric guitars that also deserve a lot of attention.
Of course, choosing a mid-level guitar of this type will depend on your own personal preferences and most importantly, the size of your budget. Still, here’s a few other axes that you should also check out.
Firstly, I highly encourage you to check out the Takamine GD11MCE. This is a really cool all-mahogany guitar designed for both amateur and more advanced guitar players. Since it’s made of mahogany wood, it has a very characteristic and warm tone. It’s perfect for fingerstyle playing, but it also works great for strumming. Surely, it’s a great alternative for those who don’t want the Hellcat!
Alternatively, you can also consider getting the Gretsch G5024E Rancher. This is a really unique acoustic-electric guitar which exceeds all the expectations. Just like the Tim Armstrong Hellcat model, it’s a very interesting axe. If you’re searching for a guitar that looks and sounds a bit differently than other regular acoustic guitars, you should definitely take some time to check it out.
If you’re on a really tight budget and you’re searching for a cheap acoustic guitar for beginners, perhaps Epiphone DR-100 will be the right fit for you. It’s an inexpensive and great sounding acoustic model recommended for beginners. It may not be the best choice for more experienced players, but if you’re just starting out, you probably don’t even need anything better yet.
FAQ
Where is Fender Tim Armstrong Hellcat acoustic guitar manufactured?
Fender Tim Armstrong Hellcat acoustic guitar is made in China.
How many frets does this guitar have?
This guitar has 19 frets.
What is the nut width in that model?
The nut width in that model has 43mm.
Where can I find out more about Fender?
If you want to learn more about this legendary manufacturer of guitars, make sure visit the official website of Fender.
Summary
As you can see, Fender Tim Armstrong Hellcat is an absolutely amazing acoustic guitar. Although it’s not perfect, it’s certainly one of the most interesting mid-range guitars that you can possibly find on the market right now. That being said, I highly recommend checking it out!
What do you think of that guitar? Would you get it for yourself or do you think that it’s overrated? Leave a comment down below and let me know what you think, I’m really interested to hear your thoughts!
Thanks for checking out today’s review, hopefully it was helpful. If you enjoyed this article and you’re looking for more gear recommendations, here’s a few more articles that you may like:
