Fender Tim Armstrong Hellcat Acoustic-Electric Guitar Natural

The story of the Hellcat begins with an early Harmony-Fender H165 owned by Tim Armstrong. The Hellcat uses some of its main designs including the ebony Art Deco headstock, the maple neck, the all mahogany body. This guitar is a great build that Fender has done right. It is warm and deep in tone and full-voiced for concert size. The compact body is a pleasure and the neck is easy on my small hands. The fishman pickups make it fun to play through an amp. The Hellcat fret inlays and skulls really add punk sensibility and remind me that a lot of hard music is born on acoustics. This can do anything you want it to.

I found this at GC and loved the sound (did not like the style all that much, but the sound keep drawing me back). I wanted a parlor style guitar when I first saw and played this one; I didn't pick it up on that trip, but went back when I was looking for a 12 string guitar. Played it again and thought some more about buying it. Well, this one had hung out a bit and on another trip back to GC it had been put on clearance, so now was the time to get it. When I got the Hellcat home, I started to notice the imperfections. The action was quite high and uncomfortable to play for extended periods; the top frets had burrs on them, and I did actually cut my thumb. The pick guard was peeling up. So, some work was to be had. I replaced the plastic nut and saddle (after some alterations) with bone and also adjusted the truss rod to fix the action. I replaced the bridge pins with brass ones (this created an enhanced warm tone). I also filed down the frets and polished them up. After fixing the action though, I found with a fret rocker that some frets were 'proud' so work was done on those frets. Plays wonderful now. However, I think I will work on the tuning machines because they do not seem all that strong - and I'm not a fan of the plastic buttons. I still need to replace the pick guard, but it is all getting there. Ending product is coming along great, but does take some time to get everything set up. I am very happy with my purchase in the end. Again, I do live the sound! (P.s the staff at the Avondale GC was incredibly helpful during the purchase!)

Great guitar and on a great sale

I walked into Guitar Center Looking for an All Around PLAYER , Today was my 3rd Visit & there was one still on the Wall , I Played it & 4 others various Price Ranges & Had To Go back n take IT Home , The Over All Size & Tones n Play Ability , I was Sold , Picked up the $119.00 Hard Case Too , I Did Not play with the Electric aspect as much , but It's My New "PLAYER" Go To for Just Picking ! I Read Some of the Comments & Get Some Of The Reviews & I Have Upgraded Guitars in the Past / So Ya , You Could REV It Up -

Unplayable and unrepairable after 1 year

The Tim Armstrong Hellcat serves as a great soundint acoustic guitar by itself. The size of the body is very comfortable and produces a nice bright sound. That, and if you are a fan of the cat/cross bones inlays, is what makes this guitar great. Otherwise the bridge pins are too large for this guitar. Either have a tech re-string it for you and buy new bridge pins for it, or take some pliers to the pins yourself and replace them. PLEASE do not keep the factory pins. They are terrible. Also the electronics aren't worth it for this guitar in compared to simply using an instrument mic for recording.