If you are looking for a decent acoustic guitar, the Fender Tim Armstrong Hellcat is a great option.
It has a non-cutaway body with a top made of solid mahogany, back and sides made of laminated mahogany, satin polyurethane body finish, a “C” Shape neck with a dual-action truss rod, and chrome hardware plating.
You can purchase this guitar in many different stores, some of them include:
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In this review post, we’ll take an in-depth look at the Fender Tim Armstrong Hellcat acoustic guitar and examine its features, sound, and playability.
Making good choices is crucial since certain guitar features can completely alter the feel and value of the instrument.
Table of Contents
Summary
Below is a brief, simplified summary of our observations on the Fender Tim Armstrong Hellcat.
These ratings and scores for each point come from our own personal opinion, so they are subjective.
Hardware
The guitar’s hardware refers to all of the metal and plastic components that make up the instrument.
These include but are not limited to:
- Tuning machines
- Pickguard
- Bridge
- Strings
- Strap buttons
- Pickups
- Tailpiece
- Control knobs
Fender acoustic guitars are noted for their strong and long-lasting construction.
The company has generally used high-quality materials in its products, which is evident in many of the different successful models that they’ve built over the years.
When purchasing a guitar primarily on its hardware, ensure that it is of high quality and that it appears to be strong enough to withstand regular use.
Having plastic saddles on the bridge is a sign of a lower-quality guitar, which can lead to a worse tone and intonation, and make tuning more difficult.
You should also make sure that the metal pieces don’t rust or tarnish, and that they appear to be solid and durable without being easily damaged.
Good hardware is required for a good-sounding and playable guitar, and there are a few things a manufacturer can do to make it ideal for us.
Let’s have a look at it more closely!
– Tuning Machines
On this Fender Tim Armstrong Hellcat, the tuning machines are vintage-style with aged white plastic buttons, made of chrome, and have a open-back geared design.
- Type: Vintage-Style with Aged White Plastic Buttons
- Design: Open-Back Geared
The tuning machines (or “tuners”) are one of the most important parts of the hardware on any guitar.
They’re responsible for keeping the strings tight so they can vibrate properly and generate the right pitch.
Low-quality tuning machines can make even the best guitar sound terrible, so it’s important to choose wisely.
This is because the tuning machines are what keep the strings tight on the guitar.
Anytime your tuning machines are not functioning properly, the strings can become loose and out of tune.
They can also make changing strings and playing the guitar more challenging.
Must Remember:
Good tuning machines are composed of strong, long-lasting materials and operate with precision and smoothness.
You should search for materials that are less susceptible to rust, such as nickel-plated steel or stainless steel.
Sine these materials don’t tarnish, your instrument will last much longer.
– Pickguard
The Fender Tim Armstrong Hellcat has a dark red pickguard with a 4-ply tortoise shell design.
- Color: Dark Red
- Design: 4-Ply Tortoise Shell
Tortoiseshell is a classic pickguard design that has been used on some of the most iconic guitars in history.
Most pickguards are made of plastic, and nowadays maybe even carbon fiber, and there are a few different designs that you’ll come across.
Their purpose is to protect the finish of the guitar from being scratched by the pick as you play.
When it comes to protection, a good pickguard needs to be made of a durable material that can withstand regular use.
It also needs to be in a position where it’s likely to actually protect the body of the guitar from scratches caused by the player’s pick.
As for looks, a pickguard should also complement the overall aesthetic of the guitar.
It should be noticeable, but not obtrusive, and it shouldn’t look low-quality or out of place.
– Strap Buttons
Both strap buttons on the Fender Tim Armstrong Hellcat are constructed of chrome, appear to be fairly strong, and are located at the bottom and side of heel of the guitar.
Strap buttons is what we call the little metal buttons installed on the guitar’s body that are used to connect a strap to the instrument.
Two strap buttons, one on each side of the body, are very standard on most guitars.
Metal strap buttons should be durable and sturdy so that they do not come loose over time.
Even though the quality of the strap buttons isn’t a deal-breaker for most individuals, it’s still something to consider.
Body
The neck, bridge, and strings are all joined to the guitar’s body, which is the most important section of the instrument.
This is where you’ll also find a hole (the “soundhole”) through which sound can reverberate from within the instrument.
Most guitars have a wooden body, although there are some with carbon fiber, metal, and plastic bodies (less usual).
– Wood
If you’re seeking for a specific tone, the type of wood chosen for the body can alter the sound of the guitar.
When it comes to the Fender Tim Armstrong Hellcat, it has a solid mahogany top with a laminated mahogany back and laminated mahogany sides.
Having a solid top is important because it means that the wood hasn’t been laminated, which could affect the sound quality since laminated wood is often thinner.
When wood is laminated, this means that strips of wood are glued together to create a piece.
– Finish
The guitar’s body finish is one of the final layers of protection for the wood.
When it comes to this guitar in specific, it has a satin polyurethane finish.
It’s what gives the guitar its brilliance and shine, but also protects the wood from scratches, dents, and other wear and tear.
You’ll encounter a variety of finishes, including the following:
- Polyurethane
- Nitrocellulose Lacquer
- Polyester
Nitrocellulose Lacquer is considered to be the best type of finish, but it’s also the most expensive.
It’s a durable finish that can be buffed to a high shine, and it’s also relatively easy to repair if it’s damaged.
Polyurethane is a cheaper alternative that’s almost as good, and Polyester is the cheapest option but it doesn’t provide as much protection.
Among these categories, there are subcategories as well, such as:
- Gloss finishes: High shine and they’re very reflective.
- Matte finishes: Have a lower shine and they’re not very reflective.
- Satin finishes: Somewhere in-between gloss and matte, they have a moderate shine and they’re somewhat reflective.
– Colors Available
When it comes to the body of a guitar, the color is usually not a big factor in the overall sound.
It can, however, influence the instrument’s aesthetic appeal.
Some individuals like a specific color guitar because it complements their personal style.
Some of the most popular colors for guitar bodies are:
- Natural: This is the color of wood that hasn’t been stained or painted.
- Black: Black is a popular color for metal-style guitars.
- Sunburst: Sunburst is a combination of light and dark colors, usually red, yellow, and brown.
Choosing a guitar based on its color is purely a matter of personal preference.
But if you do take your time and choose something that you’re happy with, you’ll be much more likely to play it often and develop your skills quicker.
– Bridge, Saddle, and Pins
The Fender Tim Armstrong Hellcat has walnut bridge with white with black dots pins and also a saddle made of graph tech nubone.
Each of these elements has a significant impact on how the guitar sounds and feels.
For instance, the bridge is in charge of transmitting string vibrations to the guitar’s body.
The saddle, which is commonly constructed of plastic or bone, is where the strings rest.
And the pins are what keep the strings in place so that you can play your instrument.
There are several kinds of bridges, each with its own set of benefits and drawbacks.
On acoustic guitars, you’ll mainly see three types of bridges:
- Pin bridges (standard)
- Pinless bridges
- Classical bridge
Pin bridges, being the most common type of bridge, are also the simplest to rebuild and replace.
They are, however, more difficult to intonate, which means getting the strings in the proper place.
Pinless bridges are less common, although they are easy to intonate as well.
They also have the benefit of not requiring any pins, which can be difficult to track and are very easy to lose.
Finally, classical guitar bridges are only found on classical guitars.
They are similar in design to most other bridges, but the key distinction is that they have no pins and instead consist of a saddle and a wooden block with a hole for each string.
This hole is used to tie the string down, giving the guitar a much cleaner appearance.
Now, the type of saddle you use is also crucial; plastic saddles are the least expensive and quickest to find, but they do not last as long as bone saddles.
The cost of bone saddles tend to be more, but they are also more durable than other options.
As for the bridge pins, there are three main types:
- Plastic bridge pins
- Steel bridge pins
- Brass bridge pins
Plastic bridge pins are the cheapest and easiest to find, but they are known to be the least durable.
Steel bridge pins are more expensive, but they’re also more durable in many ways.
Brass bridge pins are the most expensive, but they’re also the most durable our of the three.
Neck
When it comes to the Fender Tim Armstrong Hellcat, its neck is made of maple with a satin urethane finish, and it has a “C” Shape shape with an dual-action truss rod.
The guitar’s neck is the long, thin piece that runs from the body to the headstock.
The wood used for the neck has an impact on the guitar’s playability and tone since various woods have different qualities and influence the way vibrations created by the strings move.
The most popular style of neck is the bolt-on neck, which is screwed or fastened onto the body of the guitar.
Another popular style is the set-neck, which is actually glued to the body of the guitar.
Guitar necks have a few important parts, which include: the fretboard, the frets, the nut, and the truss rod.
Fretboard
The fretboard is the surface on the neck of the guitar where your fingers press down on the strings.
It’s usually made of wood, but it can also be made of other materials like plastic or even metal.
The Fender Tim Armstrong Hellcat has a fretboard made of walnut with a radius of 11.81″ (300 mm) and hellcat and double skulls inlays:
Even though this has always been a big debate, it is generally agreed that the type of wood that’s used for the fretboard can slightly affect the sound of the guitar.
For instance, maple is a popular material for electric guitars because it tends to produce a very sharp tone.
Rosewood is another popular material for acoustic guitars because it provides a warm and full bodied tone.
Ebony is yet another popular choice, and it’s often used on guitars that are meant to have a really clean, clear sound.
There are several varieties of fretboards available, each with its own set of pros and cons.
The sort of fretboard you pick is ultimately up to you and what you want in a guitar; the tone will not be dramatically different, but the feel will be.
Brand Info
Fender is a leading manufacturer of electric guitars, and they’ve been in business since 1946.
They’re one of the most iconic guitar brands in the world, and their instruments are used by some of the most famous musicians of all time.
Also, the company offers a wide range of different models, from simple beginner guitars to complex professional instruments.
Their guitars are known for their great tone and quality craftsmanship, and they’re a popular choice for both beginner and experienced players.
At the same time, Fender guitars are very affordable, making them a great option for budget-conscious musicians.
Videos
For those of you who want to get a more in-depth look at this guitar, we’ve included some videos below.
The first video is a demo showing off how it sounds and looks.
While the second video is a review that goes over some of its features and specs.
Demo
Review
Specifications
A guitar’s specifications can tell you a lot about the instrument, and they can be helpful when you’re trying to decide between different models.
Below, we’ve included the specifications for the Fender Tim Armstrong Hellcat:
– General
| Brand | Fender |
| Model | Tim Armstrong Hellcat |
| Type | Acoustic |
| Number of Strings | 6 |
| Hardware Plating | Chrome |
| Tuning Machines | Vintage-Style with Aged White Plastic Buttons |
| Tuning Machines Design | Open-Back Geared |
| Electro-acoustic | No |
| Built-in Tuner | No |
| Colors | Mahogany |
– Body
| Body Style | Concert |
| Cutaway | No |
| Solid Top | Yes |
| Top Material | Solid Mahogany |
| Back Material | Laminated Mahogany |
| Sides Material | Laminated Mahogany |
| Finish Type | Satin Polyurethane |
| Pickguard | Yes |
| Pickguard Color | Dark Red |
| Pickguard Design | 4-Ply Tortoise Shell |
| Strap Buttons | Yes |
| Strap Buttons Position | Bottom and side of heel |
| Strap Buttons Design | Classic |
– Neck
| Neck Material | Maple |
| Neck Shape | “C” Shape |
| Neck Finish | Satin Urethane |
| Scale Length | 25.3″ (643 mm) |
| Truss Rod | Dual-Action |
– Fretboard
| Fretboard Material | Walnut |
| Fingerboard Inlay | Hellcat and Double Skulls |
| Fret Size | Vintage-Style |
| Number of Frets | 19 |
– Bridge, nut, saddle, pins
| Bridge Pins | White with Black Dots |
| Bridge | Walnut |
| Saddle Material | Graph Tech NuBone |
| Nut Material | Graph Tech NuBone |
| Nut Width | 1.69″ (43 mm) |
Please note that some brands might change the features and type of materials that they have and use on their guitars.
If you see a discrepancy in any of these specifications, please let us know and we’ll correct it.
I also encourage you to check out our other guitar reviews if you’re looking for something specific that you might have not found here with this guitar.
We have reviews on electric guitars, acoustic guitars, bass guitars, effects pedals, and more.
No matter what your budget is, or what type of guitar you’re looking for, we should be able to help you find the perfect one for you.
More than 10 years of experience playing and writing about guitars! When not writing, I can be found strumming away some Johnny Cash tunes. Favorite all time guitar is the Gibson Les Paul. #TeamGibson
