Introduction
The Fender Tim Armstrong Hellcat acoustic-electric guitar has become a modern classic for punk rock and alternative players. First introduced in 2005, this signature model was developed in collaboration with Rancid’s Tim Armstrong to meet his needs as a touring punk guitarist.
Fender aimed to create an acoustic guitar that could stand up to the raw, aggressive playing style of punk music. The result was the Hellcat – featuring a solid mahogany top and customized electronics to replicate Armstrong’s gritty sound.
This signature acoustic quickly became popular beyond just Rancid fans. With its distinct punk rock aesthetic, the Hellcat appeals to guitarists who want a rugged workhorse acoustic that looks as edgy as it sounds when plugged in.
While the Hellcat was designed with punk and rock in mind, it remains versatile enough for other styles too. The solid wood construction provides full-bodied acoustic resonance, while the onboard preamp and pickup system allows you to amplify with an attitude.
Tim Armstrong Background
Tim Armstrong is the lead singer, songwriter, and guitarist for the influential punk rock band Rancid. Along with bands like Green Day and The Offspring, Rancid was an integral part of the punk revival in the 1990s.
Armstrong grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area, where he immersed himself in the thriving punk scene. He started his first band Operation Ivy in 1987, helping pioneer a new ska-punk sound. After Op Ivy broke up in 1989, Armstrong went on to form Rancid in 1991.
With Rancid, Armstrong crafted his own unique sound – a blend of punk rock energy and more melodic, pop-tinged songwriting. His guitar playing fused hardcore punk riffing with ska and reggae rhythms. Armstrong also brought his love of vintage guitars to Rancid, playing 1960s Fenders and Gretsch hollowbodies.
Over 9 albums and nearly 30 years, Rancid has become one of the most influential punk bands ever. They’ve achieved widespread critical and commercial success, including two certified gold albums.
Armstrong’s raw vocals, reggae-punk rhythms and fuzzy guitar tones have impacted countless bands and musicians. His musical style ultimately influenced the design of his signature Fender Hellcat acoustic guitar.
Hellcat Acoustic Guitar Specs & Features
The Fender Tim Armstrong Hellcat acoustic-electric guitar has a solid mahogany top paired with mahogany back and sides, giving it a rich, warm tone. The Hellcat has a classic dreadnought body shape with a large lower bout for projecting volume and bass response.
The C-shaped mahogany neck has a 25.3” scale length and a 12” radius rosewood fingerboard with 20 frets. This comfortable neck profile and shorter scale length helps make the Hellcat very playable.
For electronics, the Hellcat is equipped with a Fishman Isys III system, featuring an undersaddle pickup and preamp with volume, bass, mid, and treble controls. This lets you shape your amplified tone.
Other hardware includes die-cast chrome tuners, a rosewood bridge with compensated bone saddle, and strap buttons. The Hellcat comes in several finish options like natural, black, cherry burst, and honey burst.
Playability
The Hellcat’s modern C-shaped neck has a slim and comfortable profile that makes it easy to grip and quickly adapt to. The 25.3” scale length and 12” radius fingerboard are set up with a very playable medium action, providing just the right balance of buzz-free tones and speed.
When played acoustically, the solid spruce top helps project the tones outwards with clarity and volume. There’s a balanced warmth from the mahogany back and sides that gives it a pleasing mid-range focused sound. It’s lively and resonant acoustically, with enough punch for smaller gigs.
Once amplified, the flexible Fishman Isys III system gives you total control over the EQ. The Isys preamp has volume, bass, mid, treble controls, plus a tuner, so you can dial in anything from bright, jangly punk tones to a smoother singer-songwriter sound. The undersaddle piezo pickup combined with the preamp provides a natural acoustic tone, without excessive quackiness.
Overall the Hellcat offers a fast playing feel and great acoustic/electric sounds. The comfortable neck, slick fingerboard and flexible electronics make it a versatile guitar that handles both punk rhythms and subtle fingerpicking with ease.
Hellcat Model Variations
The Fender Tim Armstrong Hellcat comes in a few different model variations to suit different playing needs and styles.
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6-String and 12-String Versions: The standard Hellcat is a 6-string acoustic-electric, but Fender also makes a 12-string version. The 12-string has a richer, jangly tone with double courses of strings. It provides a nice extra sonic layer but may have slightly less note articulation due to the high string count.
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Left-Handed Model: Fender produces the Hellcat in a left-handed version for southpaw players. It has the same specs and features, just a reversed body and neck orientation.
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Special Editions: Fender has released a few limited edition Hellcat models, like the 10th Anniversary Edition with all blacked-out hardware and a special inlay at the 12th fret. These special editions showcase unique visual flair.
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Fender Artist Series: The Hellcat is part of Fender’s broader Artist Series, which includes signature models designed with input from major artists. Other Artist Series acoustic guitars include offerings from Jimmy Stafford, Brad Paisley, Jim Adkins and more.
Comparisons
The Fender Tim Armstrong Hellcat stands up well when compared to other similar acoustic-electric guitars. Here’s how it stacks up to models from Fender and competitor brands:
Vs. Other Fender Acoustics
Compared to Fender’s other popular acoustic-electrics like the CD-60SCE and the FA-115, the Hellcat has a deeper, fuller bodied acoustic sound thanks to its all-solid wood construction. The mahogany back and sides give it a slightly darker, warmer tone than Fender’s more affordable laminate models. The Hellcat also comes equipped with higher-end appointments like an advanced preamp system and an ebony fingerboard.
Vs. Similar Guitars from Other Brands
The Hellcat goes toe-to-toe with mid-priced acoustic-electrics from Taylor, Martin, and Gibson. It can’t quite match the reputation of premium models from these brands, but provides comparable build quality and rich acoustic resonance at a more affordable price point. Compared to similarly priced guitars like the Taylor Academy 12e, the Hellcat provides a grittier, rawer sound suited for punk and rock thanks to Tim Armstrong’s influence.
Pros and Cons
Some key pros of the Hellcat are its quality solid wood build, signature punk-inspired aesthetic, and versatile acoustic/electric tones. Potential downsides are the limited finish options compared to other brands, and the 12-string version may sacrifice some note definition for full strumming chords. The Hellcat occupies a nice middle ground between premium acoustics and budget models.
Buying a Fender Tim Armstrong Hellcat
When it comes to buying a Fender Tim Armstrong Hellcat, you have several options to choose from.
New Hellcats typically range in price from $699 to $899 for the standard 6-string model. The 12-string and left-handed versions are more expensive, usually priced between $799 and $999. These prices are the manufacturer’s suggested retail price, but you can often find discounts of $50-100 at most major music gear retailers.
Popular places to buy a new Hellcat include:
- Guitar Center – Both online and in local stores
- Musician’s Friend – Frequent sales and promos
- Sweetwater – Helpful sales staff and financing
- Fender.com – Direct from the manufacturer
Used and pre-owned Hellcats can offer even better value, with prices averaging $100-300 less than new. Reverb.com, the largest online used gear marketplace, frequently has Hellcats priced from $400 to $700 depending on condition. eBay and Craigslist are other places to find used deals. Local music stores often carry a selection of pre-owned guitars as well.
When buying used, be sure to closely inspect the guitar’s condition and ask the seller about any repairs or modifications. Most used Hellcats will show some finish wear but should be functionally solid.
Cases and accessories are another consideration when buying a Hellcat. Fender makes a hardshell case specifically for the wider dreadnought body shape. Gig bags provide a lighter and cheaper option. Elixir and other brands also make strings optimized for the Hellcat’s punk/rock tone.
With both new and used Hellcats, it pays to shop around and compare prices across multiple sellers to find the best deal. Be sure to factor in tax and shipping costs as well.
Video Demo
This video from Fender gives you a great look at the Hellcat acoustic-electric in action. It shows off the guitar’s unique styling and lets you hear how it sounds when played both acoustically and plugged in through an amp. The demo highlights the punchy, gritty tones you can get out of the Hellcat that are perfect for punk, rock and alternative styles. Overall it’s a solid video that demonstrates the playability and versatility that make this Tim Armstrong signature model stand out. Watching it will give you a much better sense of what this impressive acoustic-electric guitar is all about.
Who It’s For
The Fender Tim Armstrong Hellcat acoustic-electric guitar is ideal for a few key player styles and music genres.
First and foremost, the Hellcat is purpose-built for punk rock guitarists. From the visual aesthetic to the onboard electronics, this signature model aims to deliver the unfiltered tones and attitude needed for punk and aggressive rock styles. The Hellcat has enough acoustic resonance for strumming rhythms, while the preamp provides the grit and edge to slice through a mix.
Beyond punk, the Hellcat works well for alternative rock, pop punk, acoustic rock, and other guitarists looking for some edge. The acoustic construction allows for versatility beyond pure electric tones, so it can cover folk, indie, country, and even cleaner pop or rock songs. Basically any player who doesn’t want a straight traditional acoustic sound will appreciate the Hellcat.
While not specifically made for metal, the Hellcat can still hold its own for acoustic metal and heavy rock thanks to the preamp controls. The Fishman pickup and EQ shaping provides the punch for heavier tones, especially when combined with the right strings and playing technique.
Overall the Tim Armstrong Hellcat acoustic-electric appeals most to guitarists wanting a unique punk-inspired acoustic, rather than a general all-purpose acoustic. It delivers attitude and edge few other acoustics can match.
Conclusion
The Fender Tim Armstrong Hellcat acoustic-electric guitar offers a unique take on the traditional acoustic dreadnought. With its distinctive stylings inspired by punk icon Tim Armstrong, this signature model stands out from the crowd.
Overall, the Hellcat delivers a gritty, raw and organic acoustic tone, combined with stage-ready amplified tones thanks to the built-in preamp system. This versatility, along with its quality construction and playability, makes it a compelling choice for gigging musicians who need an acoustic that can keep up with their high-octane performances.
For punk rockers, alternative players, or anyone looking to add some punk attitude to their acoustic sound, the Hellcat is hard to beat. It certainly isn’t for the faint of heart, with its brash visual style, but this unapologetic approach is what makes it special.
Tim Armstrong fans will appreciate his personal touch on the design. And the Hellcat’s flexible acoustic-electric tones allow you to channel his signature playing style and sound.
So if you’re after a solid workhorse acoustic with personality, the Fender Tim Armstrong Hellcat delivers in spades. It brings something unique to the table while still covering all the acoustic basics – a recommended choice for punks and players of all stripes.