This Fender Tim Armstrong Hellcat-12 String is a guitar for anyone who wants a quality acoustic guitar that’s worth its price tag.
It has a non-cutaway body with a top made of solid mahogany, back and sides made of laminated mahogany, satin 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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The focus of this post will be on taking an in-depth look at the Fender Tim Armstrong Hellcat-12 String acoustic guitar and examining its features, sound, and playability.
Certain guitar features can alter the overall feel and value of the instrument, thus it is critical to choose them carefully.
Table of Contents
Summary
Here’s our summary of the Fender Tim Armstrong Hellcat-12 String so that you can take a quick look at how it performs.
The score and rating we give are simply our own personal opinion so it might be different from what you or others think.
Hardware
All of the metal and plastic parts that make up a guitar are called hardware.
These include but are not limited to:
- Tuning machines
- Pickguard
- Bridge
- Strings
- Strap buttons
- Pickups
- Tailpiece
- Control knobs
Fender’s acoustic guitars are well-known for their solid 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.
One thing you must do if you’re considering an acoustic guitar based on its hardware is to ensure that it is of high quality and that it at least appears to be strong enough to withstand regular use.
Lower-quality guitars often have plastic saddles on the bridge, which can negatively impact the instrument’s tone and intonation while also making it more difficult to tune.
Also, check sure that the metal pieces themselves are not prone to rusting or tarnishing, and that they appear to be sturdy, durable, and not easily damaged.
A decent-sounding and playable guitar requires excellent hardware, and there are a few things that a manufacturer can do to make it perfect for us guitarists.
Let’s have a look at it more closely!
– Tuning Machines
On this Fender Tim Armstrong Hellcat-12 String, the tuning machines are simple but effective, they’re 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
One of the most significant pieces of any guitar’s hardware is the tuning machines (commonly referred to as “tuners”).
They’re responsible for holding the strings tight so that they can vibrate properly and produce the correct pitch.
Even the greatest guitar will sound terrible if it is tuned using low-quality tuning machines, so choose them carefully.
This is due to the fact that tuning machines are what keep the guitar’s strings tight.
When they stop working properly, the strings become loose and, as a result, out of tune.
They can also make changing strings and playing the guitar more challenging.
Must Remember:
A good tuning machine is made of long-lasting materials and operates with accuracy and precision.
Make sure to avoid materials like nickel-plated steel or stainless steel to prevent rust.
These materials are also less likely to tarnish, which will extend the life of your instrument.
– Pickguard
The Fender Tim Armstrong Hellcat-12 String has a dark red pickguard with a 4-ply tortoise shell design.
- Color: Dark Red
- Design: 4-Ply Tortoise Shell
Having multiple layers on the pickguard means that it is more durable and can resist scratches better.
Pickguards are often made of plastic, in some cases, even carbon fiber, and come in a variety of styles.
Their aim is to prevent the pick from scratching the guitar’s finish as you play.
A decent pickguard should be built of a robust material that can sustain regular use when it comes to protection.
It should also be positioned in such a manner that it will protect the guitar’s body from pick scratches.
In terms of appearance, a pickguard should also blend in with the guitar’s general design and complement the overall aesthetic of the instrument.
It should neither be too small nor too low-quality, as this would make it look out of place.
– Strap Buttons
Both strap buttons on the Fender Tim Armstrong Hellcat-12 String are constructed of chrome, appear to be strong enough, and are found at the bottom and side of heel of the guitar.
Strap buttons are small metal buttons that are mounted on the body of the guitar, and they’re used to attach a strap to the instrument.
On the body of most guitars, there will be at least two strap buttons, one on each side.
These strap buttons are made of metal, and they should be strong and durable so that they don’t 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 body of a guitar is the main part of the instrument, and it’s where the neck, bridge, and strings are attached.
This is also where you’ll find a hole (the “soundhole”) through which sound from within the instrument resonates.
The majority of guitars have a wooden body, while others have carbon fiber, metal, or plastic bodies (less usual).
– Wood
The type of wood that’s used for the body can affect the sound of the guitar, so that’s something to keep in mind if you’re looking for a particular tone.
When it comes to the Fender Tim Armstrong Hellcat-12 String, 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 final layer of protection for the guitar body’s wood is the body finish.
When it comes to this guitar in specific, it features a satin finish.
It’s what gives the guitar its brilliance and shine, but also protects the wood from scratches, dents, and other wear and tear.
There are a few types of finishes that you’ll come across, some of them are:
- 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
The color of a guitar’s body is typically not a significant factor in the overall tone.
It can, however, influence the instrument’s aesthetic appeal to you.
Some individuals like a certain color guitar because it complements their aesthetic or because it’s easier to see in low light conditions.
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-12 String has walnut bridge with white with black dots pins and also a saddle made of graph tech nubone.
Each one of these components plays an important role in how the guitar sounds and feels.
For example, the bridge’s primary purpose is to carry the vibrations of the strings to the guitar’s body.
The saddle, which is typically composed of plastic or bone, serves as a resting place for all of the strings.
And the pins are what keep the strings in place so that you can play your instrument.
There are also several kinds of bridges, each with its own set of pro’s and cons.
On acoustic guitars, you’ll mainly see three types of bridges:
- Pin bridges (standard)
- Pinless bridges
- Classical bridge
Pin bridges are the most prominent type of bridge and the simplest to rebuild and replace.
However, they can be more difficult to intonate, which involves getting the strings in a precise position and tuning them.
Pinless bridges are less common, although they are easy to intonate as well.
They also have the benefit of not requiring any pins, which may be difficult to keep track of.
Finally, the vast majority of classical guitar bridges are only seen on classical guitars.
They are fairly 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 secure the string, giving the guitar a much cleaner appearance.
Now, the sort of saddle you have is also crucial; plastic saddles are the least expensive and simplest to buy, but they do not last as long as bone saddles.
The cost of bone saddles is more, but they are also more durable.
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
The Fender Tim Armstrong Hellcat-12 String, has a neck that is made of maple with a satin urethane finish, and it has a “C” Shape shape with an dual-action truss rod.
The neck is the long, thin component of the guitar that runs from the body to the headstock and is generally made of wood.
The type of wood that’s used for the neck can affect the guitar’s playability and sound since different woods have different properties and impact the way that the vibrations produced by the strings behave.
The most popular style of neck is the bolt-on neck, which is screwed or bolted onto the body of the guitar.
Another popular style is the set-neck, which is actually glued to the body of the guitar.
The fretboard, frets, nut, and truss rod are all crucial components of a guitar neck.
Fretboard
The fretboard is the surface on the neck of the guitar where your fingers push down on the strings.
It is often made of wood, although it can also be made of carbon fiber, plastic, or metal.
As for the Fender Tim Armstrong Hellcat-12 String, it has a fretboard made of walnut with a radius of 11.81″ (300 mm) and hellcat and double skulls inlays:
Despite the fact that this has historically been a source of debate, it is generally acknowledged that the type of wood used for the fretboard might have a slight effect on the sound of the guitar.
For example, maple is a popular choice for electric guitars because it gives the instrument a bright, sharp cutting tone.
Rosewood is another popular choice for acoustic guitars because it produces a warm, full-bodied tone.
Ebony is another popular choice, and it’s frequently used on guitars that are designed to have an extremely clean and clear tone.
There are several varieties of fretboards available, each with its own set of pros and cons.
The kind of fretboard you pick is ultimately up to you and what you’re looking for in a guitar; the tone of the instrument will not be dramatically different, but the feel of the guitar 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-12 String:
– General
| Brand | Fender |
| Model | Tim Armstrong Hellcat-12 String |
| Type | Acoustic |
| Number of Strings | 12 |
| 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 |
| 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 | 1.77″ (45 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
