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Fender Tim Armstrong Hellcat Acoustic

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Steel String Guitar

  • Body shape: Concert
  • Top: Solid mahogany
  • Back and sides: Mahogany
  • Maple neck
  • Walnut fretboard
  • Hellcat logo fretboard inlays
  • 19 Frets
  • Nut width: 43 mm
  • Vintage style open gear machine heads
  • Fishman pickup system with active preamp and built-in tuner
  • Colour: Natural
  • Suitable case available under: Article number 122212 (not included)
Available since April 2009
Item number 223527
Sales Unit 1 piece(s)
Design OM
Top Mahogany
Back And Sides Mahogany
Cutaway No
Fretboard Walnut
Nut width in mm 43,00 mm
Frets 19
Pickups Yes
Colour Natural
Case No
Incl. Gigbag No
B-Stock from $325 available
$379
The shipping costs are calculated on the checkout page.
In stock
1

A classic, signature piece

Tim Armstrong, the founding member of the Grammy Award-winning punk band Rancid, didn't become famous by gently strumming an acoustic guitar. Yet, as a songwriter and producer, he has regularly turned to his old "concert-style" Fender acoustic for inspiration and composition. In tribute, Fender has created the signature Tim Armstrong Hellcat Acoustic, which retains the concert-sized body of the original, in all its eye-catching glory, while adding a high-quality Fishman pickup system - allowing it to shine on stage as well. Its solid mahogany top produces a rich and warm tone, while the slim, satin-finished maple neck is designed for exceptional playability.

Looks can be deceiving...

The Tim Armstrong Hellcat's slender appearance belies the richness of its sound, which is exceptional for an instrument of this size. Its mahogany construction with scalloped X bracing under the solid top delivers plenty of volume together with a warm and percussive sound, which is perfectly captured by the Fishman Isys III preamp. This system in turn generates a strong enough signal for any amplifier or mixer. With its three-band EQ, built-in tuner, and preamp system, this guitar offers everything players need in terms of amplification, sound shaping, and tuning stability. Fender has not skimped on the visuals, either: The Tim Armstrong Hellcat features special "Hellcat" fingerboard inlays and a "double skull" motif at the 12th fret, making the guitar as striking to look at as it is to play.

Not just for Rancid fans

While signature guitars often come with a hefty price tag, the Tim Armstrong Hellcat is an exception, offering beginners the chance to own a genuine Fender acoustic at a reasonable price. Regardless of its affordability however, it is also a compelling option for professionals looking for a near-perfect balance between sound and playability. Despite its compact size, it features a 643mm (25.3") scale length, the same as a conventional-sized guitar, and confers the same playability. The NuBone nut produces a clean, articulate sound across the entire fretboard, while the walnut fingerboard with its 20 vintage-style frets are crafted with precision to Fender's high standards. The result is a versatile guitar perfect for Rock, Pop, Folk, and many other styles.

About Fender

Fender is without doubt one of the most legendary guitar and amplifier manufacturers of all time. The company was founded in 1946 by its namesake Leo Fender († 1991), whose innovative ideas brought a breath of fresh air into the musical world. His Telecaster, Stratocaster, Precision Bass, and Jazz Bass are not only classics – they also continue to shape the styles of musicians in countless genres to this day. Timeless Fender amplifier models such as the Bassman, Twin, Deluxe, and Princeton also enjoy a stellar reputation. Besides maintaining its classic product portfolio, however, the company is also constantly developing new products that make Fender a driving force in today’s music industry.

Eye-catching and inspirational

Whether testing new musical ideas outdoors on the lawn or performing on stage with a sound system, the Fender Tim Armstrong Hellcat will shine in every setting. Its mahogany construction delivers the characteristic warmth and resonance of this wood, while the slim-taper neck is exceptionally playable for an acoustic guitar in this price range. Visually, the Hellcat is also a showstopper thanks to its decorative inlays, double skull motif, and vintage-style machine heads. This guitar is designed to turn heads and inspire creativity at the same time - a powerful combination.

70 Customer ratings

4.6 / 5
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44 Reviews

LE
A good-looking budget option
Lars Erhiff 08.07.2020
I mostly use it for songwriting and home recording. Also used it in a jam session and two gigs.

This is a looker. I don't know if I just got lucky, or the picture is adding ten pounds, but mine look a lot better than the illustration. A tad on the aggressive side, but it beats "Hello Kitty".

It feels quite good, the neck a modern C, and the slim body works well for me, who mostly have played electrics. Came with sharp fret edges, but expected and fixable. Borderline high strings, haven't done anything about it, found it a perfect fingers/slide compromise.

Mine got a good voice (guess that can vary a lot on models at this price range), so it became my main recording guitar. The DI is OK, I guess, I've only used it when I had to. Never been a fan of the electrostatic sound.

Changed the tuners (I don't like plastic) and sanded the fret edges. That's what it took for me to be satisfied about the quality.


It might be and angry-looking kitten, but a it's a gentle breed. At this price, it might be the best option.
I mostly use it for songwriting and home recording. Also used it in a jam session and two gigs.

This is a looker. I don't know if I just got lucky, or the picture is adding ten pounds, but mine look a lot better than the illustration. A tad on the aggressive side, but it beats "Hello Kitty".

It feels quite good, the neck a modern C, and the slim
I mostly use it for songwriting and home recording. Also used it in a jam session and two gigs.

This is a looker. I don't know if I just got lucky, or the picture is adding ten pounds, but mine look a lot better than the illustration. A tad on the aggressive side, but it beats "Hello Kitty".

It feels quite good, the neck a modern C, and the slim body works well for me, who mostly have played electrics. Came with sharp fret edges, but expected and fixable. Borderline high strings, haven't done anything about it, found it a perfect fingers/slide compromise.

Mine got a good voice (guess that can vary a lot on models at this price range), so it became my main recording guitar. The DI is OK, I guess, I've only used it when I had to. Never been a fan of the electrostatic sound.

Changed the tuners (I don't like plastic) and sanded the fret edges. That's what it took for me to be satisfied about the quality.


It might be and angry-looking kitten, but a it's a gentle breed. At this price, it might be the best option.
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OB
A truly great guitar for its price
Olle B., Eskilstuna 21.09.2013
Since I received this little beauty, I have spent much more time playing and practicing just because the instrument is so good. The sound is a little thin, especially the bass frequencies, but it’s a sacrifice you have to make to make the body so slender and the guitar so versatile. I play it non-amplified most of the time and have no real opinion about the built-in microphone; the tuning system, however, is a useful bonus which makes it easy to keep the guitar in tune – and thus motivate yourself to practice some more as it sounds so great.
Since I received this little beauty, I have spent much more time playing and practicing just because the instrument is so good. The sound is a little thin, especially the bass frequencies, but it’s a sacrifice you have to make to make the body so slender and the guitar so versatile. I play it non-amplified most of the time and have no real opinion about the built-in
Since I received this little beauty, I have spent much more time playing and practicing just because the instrument is so good. The sound is a little thin, especially the bass frequencies, but it’s a sacrifice you have to make to make the body so slender and the guitar so versatile. I play it non-amplified most of the time and have no real opinion about the built-in microphone; the tuning system, however, is a useful bonus which makes it easy to keep the guitar in tune – and thus motivate yourself to practice some more as it sounds so great.
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N
Acoustic for punk rockers
NZRL 12.05.2020
Great guitar. Looks better than in the photos. Vibrant sound from the mahogany body.

Only let down is the pickup/tuner. Mine came in with a basic fishman pickup and not the Isys III as described. Not a deal breaker and not Thomann's fault. I think Fender should update its retailers better when they make changes to their hardware.
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N
Very nice
Nunopira 20.09.2022
Im in love very good for the price
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Fender Tim Armstrong Hellcat
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FENDER TIM ARMSTRONG HELLCAT