
( Brand: Fender ), ( Manufacturer Part Number: UFTAH05042026 ), ( Type: Acoustic Guitar )
The Fender Tim Armstrong Hell-Cat Model 990 is a highly sought-after acoustic-electric guitar, carefully crafted in collaboration with Tim Armstrong, the renowned Rancid frontman and punk rock icon. This guitar is a must-have for any serious musician looking for a versatile and powerful instrument that delivers true tone and style.
The body of this guitar boasts a solid mahogany top and a mahogany neck, providing a rich, resonant sound that's perfect for both acoustic and electric performances. The scalloped X bracing adds to the guitar's tonal quality, allowing it to produce a balanced and articulate sound with excellent projection.
The Hell-Cat Model 990 comes equipped with a Fishman Pre-amp system, which includes a tuner, volume control, and a pair of tone controls. This feature allows for easy amplification and fine-tuning, making it an ideal choice for live performances and recording sessions.
The guitar's neck features a comfortable 1.6875-inch nut width and a 14-inch radius, allowing for easy playability and smooth transitions between chords. The satin finish on the neck ensures a comfortable feel, even during long playing sessions.
The Fender Tim Armstrong Hell-Cat Model 990 also includes a set of premium tuning machines, ensuring that your strings stay in tune no matter how hard you play. The guitar's bridge is made of synthetic bone, providing excellent intonation and sustain.
The guitar's unique aesthetic is completed with a striking gloss black finish, white binding, and white pearloid pickguard. The Hell-Cat logo is inlaid on the headstock, adding a touch of personality and style to this already impressive instrument.
Overall, the Fender Tim Armstrong Hell-Cat Model 990 is a high-performance acoustic-electric guitar that delivers on both sound and style. Whether you're a seasoned musician or just starting out, this guitar is sure to inspire and provide hours of enjoyment.
The Fender Tim Armstrong Hell-Cat HCS900 is a unique and versatile instrument, designed in collaboration with Tim Armstrong of Rancid. As with any musical instrument purchase, there are pros and cons to consider before making a decision.
Pros:1. Unique Design: The Hell-Cat HCS900 features a distinctive body shape, combining the best elements of a Stratocaster and a Telecaster. This design offers a versatile playing experience, providing both the bright, twangy tone of a Tele and the rich, warm tone of a Strat.
2. Versatile Pickups: The guitar comes equipped with two Tim Armstrong Hot Rodded Tele single-coil pickups and one Tim Armstrong Wide Range Humbucker. This pickup configuration allows for a wide range of tones, making it suitable for various music genres.
3. Comfortable Neck: The 25.5-inch scale length and 'C'-shaped maple neck with a satin finish make for a comfortable playing experience.
4. Durable Construction: The guitar features a solid alder body, maple neck, and a tough satin finish, ensuring durability and longevity.
5. Affordable Price Point: Compared to other high-end Fender models, the Hell-Cat HCS900 offers a more affordable price point, making it an attractive option for musicians on a budget.
Cons:1. Limited Fretboard Options: The guitar only comes with a maple fretboard. Some players may prefer other options, such as rosewood or ebony, for their unique tonal properties.
2. Single Coil Noise: As with any single-coil pickup guitar, there is a risk of hum and noise, especially when using higher gain settings.
3. Limited Color Options: The Hell-Cat HCS900 is available in a limited range of colors. Some musicians may prefer a wider variety of finish options.
Conclusion:The Fender Tim Armstrong Hell-Cat HCS900 offers a unique blend of Stratocaster and Telecaster design, versatile pickups, and a comfortable neck at an affordable price point. While it has some limitations, such as limited fretboard options and potential single-coil noise, the pros far outweigh the cons for many musicians.
Recommendation:If you're looking for a versatile and unique instrument that offers both the twangy tone of a Tele and the rich, warm tone of a Strat, the Fender Tim Armstrong Hell-Cat HCS900 is an excellent choice. Its affordable price point makes it an attractive option for musicians on a budget, and its durable construction ensures longevity. Ultimately, the Hell-Cat HCS900 is a solid investment for any musician seeking versatility and unique design in their instrument.
Frets and fingerboard could use a quick cleanup during the next restring. Otherwise, there are a few light scuffs and swirl marks over the body, but great condition overall. This is an excellent playing and sounding guitar. Electronics, All electronics work properly and sound great.
Action, Action is medium low and plays great, but may require a quick tweak to your liking. Case, No case or gig bag included. This guitar is fairly clean, with the most extent of wear being a few areas forearm area, back neck, etc. Where satin finish has started to slightly gloss up. There are also some strumming scratches on the protective plastic sheet that's still pick guard, and a bit of faint tarnishing hardware.
Physical Condition, This guitar is in great condition with only some light examples of wear. Fret wear, This guitar only has some light wear on the first few frets.