Talon or HM

[ABSOLUT CHARVEL]

I found 2 Fenders that are NOS. Yes, they are both mint, never left the store, all the paper work, org. cases, etc... so I think NOS does apply. One is a Heartfield Talon and the other is a Fender HM. I would have to pick one or the other. Has anyone played either one of these? Your input would be great to figure out which one would be the better axe. Thanks.
talon
fender HM

[fuel0707]

Re: Talon or HM

I'd definitely choose the HM. I've had one for 4 months now just like the one in the picture, except mine is black. There are some differences to be aware of as you make your choice: the HM is a 25.0" scale, while the Talon should be 25.1". Not much of a difference, but some. The Talon is definitely Fender-Japan and the HM likely is, too, despite the fact that it probably has "USA" on the neckplate. The bridge pickup on the HM should be a DiMarzio Super 3. The HM has a nice Kahler bridge. I don't know what the Talon has for a bridge, but it's obviously a license-built Floyd of some sort. And it's been a long time since I've tried a Talon, but I believe the HM's neck is wider, especially as you climb the neck.

Overall, I've really enjoyed my HM. The neck was not difficult to get used to and the overall quality is very, very good. The DiMarzio sounds quite good and the single coils are pretty good, too. (I believe they are American-made.) I had been kicking myself for not buying one back in 1989 when I first tried one and I'm very glad that I got the one that I did.

Play both of them but if the guy is offering them at the same or similar prices, I think the HM is by far the better deal. If you want any more info/opinions from me, please feel free to PM or e-mail me. And let me know what one you choose. I can't believe that you are lucky enough to find an HM in near-NOS condition! [img]graemlins/toast.gif[/img]

[fuel0707]

Re: Talon or HM

I forgot to add it, but if you want to pretty well nail down where that HM is made, check the owner's manual that appears to be in the case. If the model numbers start with "25-", that is the country code that Fender assigns to the Japanese made instruments. And given that Japanese HM's with 3 pickups and the "flamboyant" Strat logo were made between 1988 and 1989, the serial number should start with G, H, I or J and have 6 digits. The serial number should be on the neck just above neck/body joint.

If the model number begins with a "10", then the guitar would be of US origin. And the serial number should start with an E8 or E9, as that style of HM Strat was made in the US from 1989 to 1990, according to "The Fender Book" by Tony Bacon and Paul Day.

[Greg Crowe]

Re: Talon or HM

That's one of the earlier 88-90 HM's and those were made in the USA. The later Japanese HM's were actually better guitars with Original Floyd Rose trems.

The Talon may have an OFR and was built in the same factory as the early Japanese Ibanez RG's. It's the same guitar.

The Talon is probably a better guitar with a better trem but the HM is cooler. I'd have a hard time choosing.

[Chuckracer]

Re: Talon or HM

[img]graemlins/idea2.gif[/img] Grab 'em both!

[fuel0707]

Re: Talon or HM

Originally posted by Greg Crowe:
That's one of the earlier 88-90 HM's and those were made in the USA. The later Japanese HM's were actually better guitars with Original Floyd Rose trems.

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Actually, the HM's in that style (referred to as an "HM Power Strat") were first produced in Japan and then production shifted to the US. And the Japanese models had the Kahler Floyd-style trem.

[Greg Crowe]

Re: Talon or HM

Originally posted by John D.:
</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by Greg Crowe:
That's one of the earlier 88-90 HM's and those were made in the USA. The later Japanese HM's were actually better guitars with Original Floyd Rose trems.

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Actually, the HM's in that style (referred to as an "HM Power Strat") were first produced in Japan and then production shifted to the US. And the Japanese models had the Kahler Floyd-style trem. </font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">I really don't think that's right, check the serial number. All the 88-90 Kahler equiped models have USA serial numbers. The 91-92's have OFR's and Japanese serial numbers. I've read that the Japanese models were assembled in the USA(hence the USA neckplate) with the OFR's but of course, made of Japanese parts.

[fuel0707]

Re: Talon or HM

Originally posted by Greg Crowe:
I really don't think that's right, check the serial number. All the 88-90 Kahler equiped models have USA serial numbers. The 91-92's have OFR's and Japanese serial numbers. I've read that the Japanese models were assembled in the USA(hence the USA neckplate) with the OFR's but of course, made of Japanese parts.

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">The info on the production dates is straight from the Bacon/Day book, which indicates that the Japanese HM's came first. There were other Japanese versions:
- HM Strat with stencil logo and 25.1" scale - produced 1991-2.
- HM Strat with drooped headstock, streamlined logo and 25.1" scale - produced 1991-2.
From what the book says about the locking trems having a "single-bar string guide" (which is not on the HM's with the Kahler Spyder), it sounds like these guitars have the regular-style Floyd.

I know the serial numbers make can make it confusing, especially with the neckplate saying "USA", but the first HM Power Strats (with the flamboyant "Strat" logo) were initially produced in Japan, from 1988-89. American production on this particular style of the HM was from 1989-90. My particular guitar still has the original owner's manual and the model number of my guitar is 25-8100. The "25" indicates Japanese manufacture. And the trem on mine is the Kahler 2720 Spyder.

[paddok]

Re: Talon or HM

HM strat no question. Those guitars are [img]graemlins/headbang.gif[/img]

[zeegler]

Re: Talon or HM

I can't comment on the Fender, but the Talon is an awesome guitar. I ask myself at least once a week: "why did I sell mine". The answer: because I'm a fucking idiot, that's why.

Seriously, the neck on the Talon is awesome, and the pickups sound great. The Floyd is a quality piece if it is like mine (an OFR).

It sounds like you have a tough choice to make.

Buy them both.

[ABSOLUT CHARVEL]

Re: Talon or HM

I feel like a chick that try's to pick out what shoes to wear with a dress! [img]graemlins/scratchhead.gif[/img] Tough call. Thanks for the education on these Fenders Bro's.

Eric

[Chuckracer]

Re: Talon or HM

Seriously, I think I'd go with the Fender.

[Robotechnology]

Re: Talon or HM

If it's a Talon III, IV or V, definitely get the Talon. The III has an original Floyd Rose and the IV and V have the Floyd Rose Pro (which I like better-- basically the same difference as between an edge and a lo pro edge). I know the IV & V have Dimarzio PAF Pro humbucker (neck), Fender single coil, and Dimarzio Super 3 humbucker (bridge) but, I'm not sure about the III. My Talon V:



[ June 13, 2004, 09:45 AM: Message edited by: Robotechnology ]

[Volke]

Re: Talon or HM

I have an HM that I bought in '89, Serial starts
with E9 - has the Kahler Spyder.

Changed pickups to a SD "Custom Custom" and a pair
of "Duckbuckers". It's been a good guitar, but the
trem robs sustain on a grand scale, not sure what
went wrong as it wasn't always that way, and I am
not doing a different setup on it.



[img]graemlins/images/icons/tongue.gif[/img]

[khabibissell]

Re: Talon or HM

Volke,

I see you have a Mesa 3/4 back 1x12 too. Great sounding cab huh?