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Description

The Fender Heartfield Talon is a testament to innovation and style, merging classic Fender craftsmanship with a modern twist. Born in the late 80s and early 90s, this shred-friendly axe offers a sleek design that appeals to both the nostalgic rocker and the contemporary guitarist. With its solid body construction, the Talon is engineered for performance, providing exceptional durability and resonance.

Equipped with a powerful combination of humbucking and single-coil pickups, this guitar delivers a versatile tonal range suitable for various musical genres, from heavy metal to blues. The Talon's fast-action neck and 24-fret fingerboard ensure fluid playability, making it perfect for intricate solos and swift chord changes. Its double-locking tremolo system allows for expressive pitch control while maintaining tuning stability, catering to the expressive needs of any musician.

Whether you're jamming in a garage or performing on stage, the Fender Heartfield Talon stands out with its rich, full sound and eye-catching design. This instrument is not just a tool; it's an extension of your musical expression, ready to take your playing to the next level.

Key Features:

  • Solid body electric guitar design
  • Combination of humbucking and single-coil pickups
  • 24-fret fingerboard for extended range
  • Fast-action neck for superior playability
  • Double-locking tremolo system for stable pitch control
  • Crafted for versatility across multiple music genres
Peter Quinn

Peter Quinn

Fender Heartfield Talon - An Underrated Classic?

Video thumbnail for Fender Heartfield Talon - An Underrated Classic? by Peter Quinn

Fender Heartfield Talon - An Underrated Classic?

Peter Quinn

Peter Quinn

Reviews

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Heartfield by Fender Talon.

Features and functionality

  • The Talon II features DiMarzio Super Distortion and Super 3 pickups, with a unique 5-way selector that includes a Fender single coil in the middle position.

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Comparisons

  • Unlike Ibanez, the Talon neck is more akin to a Jackson neck, offering a thicker, more comfortable grip for extended play.

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  • It’s suggested that a neck from an Ibanez RG might fit, due to similarity in dimensions, offering an alternative replacement option.

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Use cases and applications

  • The Talon's tonal range is particularly suited for metal, but struggles to provide versatility across other genres despite using tube screamers and valve amps.

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User experience

  • One owner successfully transplanted the DiMarzio pickups to a Les Paul and PRS for improved versatility, highlighting the quality of the pickups despite other limitations.

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Setup and maintenance

  • It's advised to check the neck for straightness and truss rod adjustment capacity, especially crucial for guitars over 25 years old.

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  • The Talon features a unique 2.25" heel width, slightly larger than standard Fender necks, complicating replacement options.

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  • The Talon's neck radius is reportedly 17 inches, a specification that limits replacement neck options from common suppliers like Warmoth.

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  • It's noted that the truss rod nut is located under a small plastic triangle near the headstock, a detail often overlooked by less experienced technicians.

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Build quality

  • The Talon's neck uses a scarf joint, which is stronger than a single piece by aligning the wood grain with the head angle.

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Critic Reviews

Heartfield Talon Review: The Heartfield Talon by Fender is a solid reliable guitar built... | Fender | Electric Guitars | Reviews @ Ultimate-Guitar.Com

ultimate-guitar.com

The Fender Heartfield Talon shines as a shredder's delight with its sleek neck and reliable build, reminiscent of high-end Jackson models. Its versatility across genres, from metal to jazz, is commendable, though the humbucker's lack of low-end might require amp adjustments. The durable 1991 Japanese craftsmanship and the comfortable super-strat body make it a reliable gig companion, albeit one you'd want a backup for, especially considering the Floyd Rose tremolo's string-changing quirks. Overall, it's a keeper for those seeking a piece of Fender history with an Ibanez flair.

positive

Heartfield by Fender Talon II Review - HubPages

hubpages.com

3.0 out of 5

Based on 1 Review and 1 Rating

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roccstar

My first guitar ever purchased

A workhorse no doubt but years of neglect and divebombing left my Floyd Rose out of whack. It was actually a godsend though because destroying this guitar time and time again forced me to learn how to repair guitars so I no longer have to waste money paying overpriced repairmen at shops and can instead save that money to put towards more gear. The picture (though not my own) is exactly how my Talon looked when I first bought it in the early 90's as a kid. Recently I took it out of storage and turned it into a project guitar where I'm replacing all the electronics and putting my own spin on the aesthetics. I'll add it to my collection once it's done. This is yet another guitar I own built at Fujijen. See a patter forming? LOL!

Artist usage

Add artist
See how Vinnie Moore uses Heartfield by Fender Talon

Vinnie Moore

Guitarist

Alice Cooper

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Verified via Photo

As seen in this Fender Heartfield Talon ad. He used this guitar during the "Meltdown" era of his career.

See how Mendax uses Heartfield by Fender Talon

Mendax

Composer

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Verified via Fender

Mendax is known for using a modified 1991 Fender Heartfield Talon, as referenced in the Fender Heartfield Price Lists from 1989-1992.

Album Usage

The Heartfield by Fender Talon has been featured on the following albums:

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

More Heartfield Solid Body Electric Guitars

Community setups

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Gear Guides

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    Gear IQ 326