What the HELLECASTER?!? | 1997 Fender Japan Hellecasters Trio Signature Stratocaster + Telecaster

[@unclemayhem6696]

In 2016 Jerry Donahue had a debilitating stroke that left him paralyzed and unable to play guitar. Three months later the very same thing happened to me. Through 2 1/2 years of intense, tenacious therapy and determination, I have seen, and continue to see dexterity return to my hand substantially. I certainly wish the same for Mr. Donahue.

[@joeduncan4487]

Well done man fir getting through, hope it holds up🤘

[@unclemayhem6696]

TY

[@AB-vn2jc]

Uncle Mayhem I’m so happy for you, that sounds like hell to me.

[@stratsteveo106]

Sorry to hear that, I really hope things are going better for you these days

[@unclemayhem6696]

Yes,I am still continuing to see improvement. Thank you.

[@pyrokiller1374]

First one: G&L Legacy Second one: G&L ASAT Special Third one: G&L Comanche

[@thebigitchy]

That's what I thought, but if you watch the video, none of them are G&L guitars. They're all Fenders. That being said, you could definitely just go for a G&L, and I assume get a similar sound for probably half the price.

[@mikedesensi3007]

more of a S-500 tyhe legacy didnt have the expander switch

[@vonicrimson3619]

ikr lol

[@crystalaireantiquefans4535]

the pickup layout reminds me of some vintage teiscos

[@bipbipletucha]

Was thinking the same! Angled jazzmaster/p90 thingamajig reminded me of like mosrite ventures models a bit too

[@RainerK.]

Or the more recent Italia Imola.

[@Viper-dz2kw]

They literally just play fender versions of G&L guitars

[@homeskateco.538]

The point is, that Telecaster bridge pickup metal plate is what influences the Tele twang, so that Donahue Strat having a metal plate under the pickguard is what makes it a Hellecaster I'd guess...

[@shaunw9270]

Those metal plates have been available aftermarket for years 👍

[@hkguitar1984]

Also of note, the Telecaster bridge pickup's pole magnets are much stronger than a standard Stratocaster's bridge pickup's pole pieces. I started playing guitar back in 1974 and was always a Strat or Les Paul guy, never wanted a Telecaster. By chance I ended up purchasing a nice Telecaster last year and it is turning into my favorite guitar to play.

[@eighttz]

Enjoyed the run through, not sure you noticed but the Jerry Donahue bridge pickup was moved toward the neck, not the same position as a standard strat. Also check out the custom shop models, I have a Jorgensen CS literally the best humbucking pups I’ve ever heard, although they squeal a little.

[@markjamesmeli2520]

Monkee Michael Nesmith signed them to his company in the 1990s. Jorgenson rose to fame as the lead guitarist for The Desert Rose Band, which featured Chris Hillman, former bassist with the Byrds.

[@chrisgrabowski2678]

John Jorgensen is a very nice guy and a great player. As for tonewood, I can't believe it got any mention. I like the appearance and electronics on all of them. Yes, I would rock these...All of them.

[@ResoBridge]

I have one of the JJ Strats and as far as I know the neck AND body are both maple! Which does make for a very heavy Strat. Interesting info here about the extra mistake capacitor. I never really liked the sound of this guitar so maybe I need to remove a cap. Edit - I have now opened the guitar up and I did indeed have the extra cap, a 0.0022uF from the wiper of the bass roll off pot to ground. On mine it is really hard to see because it was right next to the bass roll off 0.0022uF so it looked almost like one cap. The guitar now sounds much brighter.

[@tjzambonischwartz]

That blue strat is a really sick design. The wiring is very reminiscent of the early 80's "The Strat."

[@bipbipletucha]

Color is th same as the Bonnie Raitt strat

[@phillipvisnaw2355]

I've got a 79 or 80s something "The Strat "in pieces. What a boat anchor! Ebony fingerboard with all that gold weights down the shoulder. But what tone, always cut through the mix.

[@Kabayoth]

You can get a fair approximation of each stock from G&L. They are not exactly cheap either, but they are currently in production.

[@1st_Proof]

Great call on the Hellecaster episode! While I’m a natural born hard rocker I wore my catalogue of CDs from these guys out. Amazingly talented bunch, so clever and tasty. Seeing this reminds me that I need to get one of these guys signature guitar if not all of them! Nice way to finish the week, keep up the good work!

[@sonsauvage]

Hellecasters are a beastly collective and suchly deserve equally beastly instuments. They are all monster players. The only thing that's kind of goofy about these instruments is the 12th fret inlay, otherwise they're pretty serious instruments

[@bradleystroup1457]

Could you do the Fender Flame also known as the Fender Espirit Ultra or the Robben Ford guitar. It's Fender's answer to the 335 but I has interesting pickups and it technically semi-hollow but has no f-holes

[@tonezone111]

Nice to see a video featuring these awesome guitars. I have a John Jorgensen Hellecaster, which a previous owner unfortunately butchered, and replaced the original loaded pickguard with a standard Fender. It has also had the fingerboard scalloped (fortunately professionally), so it's far from original, but I have to say it still plays beautifully, and the whammy is a delight, compared to the standard Fender fare. It's a heavy beast too, but I wouldn't part with it.

[@alabamahebrew]

Hold on, this was not a WYRON episode Mr. Trogly sir!! Listen bub, I'm an old guy with memory loss so don't go messing with me and on a Fender Friday throw out at the end a " The only question left is WYRON?" statement!! You get people like me all confused!! lol... Very cool guitars I like the 3rd but the champagne sparkle paint job actually sort of ruins it for me, less sparkle would have been better. I love that Tele at number 2!! Which btw is the ONLY Tele that they are selling! lol. I love the gold leaf idea and the aged hardware. I will gladly give up every Fender Friday in order for you to review all the new Gibson models lol.

[@stevenkimsey7039]

I have a really sweet Fender fotoflame Telecaster circa 1994. Every time I play it I hear Stevie Ray Vaughan tones. Not my playing mind you, but the awesome Japanese Telecaster. I have other guitars, but this one actually conjures up SRV tones. A thing of beauty

[@rkharper]

New artist?!?? Duuude, Hellecasters are da shiiiz! Was listening to them forever, and have been on a hellecasters trip lately again. I used to own the Will Ray Jazz-a-Caster some years ago. Sold it without the B-Bender, which I still own.

[@tayfrancis3238]

That jazz a caster is sick! I love it!

[@shaunw9270]

What an absolute treat ! I would rock all three !! I loved them when they came out , so cool. Jerry Donahue is a class player , so good 👌

[@johnhenfrey5936]

Been listening to The Hellecasters for years, I have the first 2 CDs, I have seen Jerry Donahue, and John Jorgensen, with their respective bands. But never seen The Hellecasters play live, thanks for a great review.

[@smokestackstudiosgem]

Hey Trogly, check out their track... Son Becomes Father. Tremelo flutter and crazy pitch bending on that Jorgensen strat. And those pickups creating amazing feedback in that track too.👍🎸

[@nelvis5243]

I've got the jazz-a-caster with the b bender and it's amazing. The only time Fender ever used gold leaf on a guitar were the 3 made for Clapton, the prez of CBS, and Clayton's #1 Japanese fan. Clapton used it on the "Iguana" tour. The Will Ray sounds amazing, I'll try to get a video up when I can...✌

[@jetjock015]

I won a Jazz-A-Caster last year in an eBay auction last year. Took it to my luthier and had him do a setup on it - it played and sounded amazing but the gold leaf finish and b-bender just weren’t for me. I sold it this year at the Orlando Guitar show. I was shocked at the amount of instrument dealers who had no clue about this series - they thought it was something I customized and was looking to dump. I liked it, but I like my Gibson Paul Landers Les Paul I bought with the proceeds of the sale better.

[@hkguitar1984]

Pretty cool stuff. Dang Trogly, before too long you'll an expert on Fender guitars as well as Gibson! Cool instruments, I'd rock all of them. i especially liked the reverse headstock HELLECASTER, way, way cool. Again, thank you

[@kevinoverson8321]

Yep, definitely rock any/all 3, but my favourite has to be the Strat type...…...

[@timmiller4205]

The Blue strat was Definitely my favorite and yes I would Rock A Hellcaster until it Bursts into Flames.Awsome ☮️🎸⚡️

[@michaelheaton9503]

I've always loved the John Jorgensen Strat with the champagne pick guard.I don't know why but I love it

[@JPT00]

I would 100% rock them all day long

[@greg6L6GC]

I met John Jorgensen in a music shop downtown New Haven Ct. He was with Davey Johnstone (Elton John). I didn’t know Jorgensen was also with Elton John. Anyway he broke Johnstones balls over the fact I recognized him as a Hellecaster and not part of Elton John’s band. They had 3 CDs. Got them all. Amazing guitar work.

[@FloodExterminator]

That gold-leaf Jazz-a-Caster looks so nice! I do however think it would look nicer in brass with a bit a patina!

[@charlesbolton8471]

I'm a fan of Fender. I liked these when they were new(as well as the other signature models they had with Fender), but at the time I couldn't afford any of them. If you would be interested in reviewing/featuring a more affordable yet still high quality Fender product I would recommend the Squier Pro-Tone Series that was made in Korea in mid to late 90s. The line consisted of two Telecasters(a Fat Tele with a neck humbucker and a Thinline), a standard Stratocaster with three single coils(in several color combinations) a Fat Strat with a Floyd Rose bridge, and two Precision Basses(one had both a Precision Bass and Jazz Bass pickup and the other was a 5 string). When new they were priced close to the standard Mexican made Fender models and supposedly were discontinued because Fender felt they were impacting the sales of the Mexican models. They have always been highly regarded and for awhile they were selling for more than what they cost new, but they seem to have leveled off lately except for the Thinline Tele.

[@dangardace9]

I had the JJ Hellecaster. Very nice and heavy! Only issue I had was the low E kept popping out of the nut, no biggie I installed a graphtec string tree and hipshot tremsetter for the floating trem. Very cool guitar. I still have a stack of the Fender promo flyers that I grabbed when I bought the guitar in London Ontario at John Belones

[@martydibergi5228]

Not only saw them live but bought each Fender model and got each autographed and still own them. Even bought the two JJ g&l maple and rosewood necks. Nicest guys ever. Huge fan. John told me to get a Matchless. So i did. Happy all day long

[@keef71]

can't believe you'd never heard of jerry donahue - even before the Hellecasters. he was a legend on the 70s UK music scene just because of his talent . he was part of Fairport Convention then Joan Armatrading's Band at the time of 'Love & Affection' etc. certainly remember him from the 80s with regular interviews etc in Guitarist. i think there were two Fender jd signatures - the Jerry Donahue Signature and the cheaper (japanese?) JD Signature

[@arthurias7693]

If you want to hear the best tone you'll ever hear, look up "Roy Buchanan - The Messiah Will Come Again" (live at austin, tx 1976 version), it's on youtube. He played a 1953 telecaster and it is a hidden gem. Seriously, check it out!

[@blakescovers5131]

Will ray actually lives here in asheville now and trades and sells guitars on craigslist now. I bought a few bodys from him a while back.

[@shaunw9270]

Wow ! Cool ! ✌️

[@matthewmiller8849]

I live here in Asheville, and I am friends with will on facebook.

[@keithclark486]

@@matthewmiller8849 Said he didn't know you , Maybe by a different name ?

[@matthewmiller8849]

@@keithclark486 Just facebook friends! I'm quite proud of that fact, even if we aren't properly acquainted.

[@indramoktanindy6128]

Can you please show us which capacitor has to be removed ? Would be great help ! 🤘

[@wesleyzimmerman94]

I saw this video when it was new but had forgotten about it. Glad one of the guys at work, who is also a guitar player, reintroduced me to them last night

[@joshuataft5541]

Thise guys have good taste. And so does trogly for showing us. I love weird finishes on classic guitars

[@crankjazz]

I had the pleasure of seeing this band live, and meeting Jerry Donahue.

[@peterthompson4851]

Me too, what a gentleman. Devastating to hear news of his stroke, hope he is recovering.

[@BlackWhirlies]

The Will Ray model was available in two versions - the Japanese one here and an even more gorgeous (and far more expensive) tiger-striped 'Custom Shop' version. I think you have shown pics of the (Japanese) one I used to own (s/n 0114).

[@DavidWoodmanMusic]

I played the JD Blue Strat in a store once. Picked out up without knowing it was a special model. It was absolutely fantastic.

[@CedricIII]

Hmmm.... I just bought the Jazz-A-Caster which completes my collection. I now have all three guitars, so I curiously searched for videos about the Jazz-A-Caster and stumbled upon this video. I was a little surprised to find myself in the tone samples section, but hey - that's okay with me, haha!

[@jeffwyatt2256]

OMG I'm super surprised you'd hadn't heard of the Hellecasters, incredible talent those guys have! Awesome video, awesome guitars! I would rock them all!

[@kaneo67]

I don't really care for any of these guitars but this guys voice and speech is a delight!

[@sickb2200]

"Back on Terra Firma" is one of my favorite instrumentals of all time.

[@hkguitar1984]

"Back on Terra Firma", a Guitarist's Jam for sure.

[@theincrediblyironicwaffle8773]

You should cover the Fender Pawnshop series

[@albertoansaldo2958]

They rock! All in all I think the John Jorgenson hellecaster is the one I likes more but the Jatz-a-caster with b-bender comes close second.

[@greghilinski6571]

Rock for sure. The MIJ Fenders were awesome and the reissues were closer to the originals than the USA made.

[@ronbzoom8531]

When these guitars came out, I was torn between the Jorgenson split pickup Strat and the Will Ray Jazz-A-Caster. Now I'm an old dude and kinda dig the blue Donahue Strat more. It's a Tele hybrid in disguise which I kinda dig. Still find it odd he'd opt for a basswood body over ash or even alder but I guess the alchemy worked. Then again those guys are guitar monsters, they can play anything and make it sound amazing.

[@martydibergi5228]

Jerry absolutely preferred the basseood!

[@thegee-tahguy4877]

Highlander Boogie is a staple around our shop. Inspector Gadget would be too, but no one can even come close.

[@connerdiamond5317]

The funkiness of the John Jorgensen Strat is like guitar porn for me! Out of the 3 Hellecasters shown, here’s my personal rating: 1. The blingy thingy 😂 2. Jazzle Dazzle 3. Blu boiii

[@kitoyobeni1]

I've wanted the JJ Hellecaster since trying one in a local shop back in 97. They were at least 1300 new and have only gone up.

[@PhilipCockram]

Excellent Fender Friday Austin

[@chrisjeneson5091]

Yes, I would and the Tele in particular, love those triangles!

[@TheZooropaBaby]

wow that Will Ray tele looks like his G&L sig model! wow!

[@famachris]

I don't usually like Artist models, but this one is seriously cool. And I love the finish!

[@nealdew71]

I had a strat affinity neck on a Telecaster body.. Sounds a different better than my epi les Paull traditional.

[@MrSmiley1964]

I saw a Jazzacaster once, with the gold leaf. Of course I played it and came back the next day to buy it and she was gone. I haven't seen one since, I still want it though.

[@fabriblu4574]

I’ve got that guitar when i was a kid, my father gift ☺️ I still have it 05:46

[@phillipvisnaw2355]

I'm a big fan of all the Hellecasters love the gold leaf tele. Seems that all Japanese upper model Fenders rock.

[@jamespollock11]

I saw the Hellecasters at Gelb Music in Redwood City Calif. They were fantastic.

[@angryheb1]

I agree with you on lovin the last one, looks fun to play 🤘😎🎸

[@jjdubois6101]

Didn’t JD have the strat bridge pickup moved closer to the neck too? I might be wrong…

[@krzysztofwaleska]

Beautiful machines! The present what I wanted to do with my old, rarely used stratocaster.

[@keithbradley8627]

When these came out I was in middle school and ive wanted the Jorgensen model ever since! Maybe someday one will find its way into my hands but its a long shot for sure

[@wickedninja8599]

The third red and black one looks amazing!

[@chrishopkins209]

I talked to Jerry when he rang up the mobile network I used to work for. A hell of a nice guy

[@musicmanzis7536]

There is also the Fender John Jorgensen Double tell that went with these.

[@MultiStratoman]

I'm a happy owner of a JJ Hellecasters.Strat. Love it. Very playable and fantastic, varm and distictive tone.

[@OxaudioPhilly]

What do they go for now compared to new? Ive been considering buying each as ive been wanting to invest in guitars and let them gain interest. Wifey said i can! Plus i always dreamed of the hellecasters when i first saw them in the catalogues in the 90’s!

[@MultiStratoman]

@@OxaudioPhilly I don't know what they go for nowadays. It's pretty hard to find one for sale. But if you do they're very expensive.

[@MultiStratoman]

I have all of the signature models now and i cost me Big Time to buy them.

[@joshuamarks1129]

👍👍Cool video! Am I correct to assume you are from Canada? Your voice is almost identical to Jay Baruchel!

[@Trog]

USA - Ohio

[@willwragg9707]

Your screen/money moment really cracked me up!

[@JungiOlympia]

I used to have a Jazz-a-caster but I always found it dull and lifeless so I sold it. Never missed it.

[@jenniferwhitewolf3784]

I like the blue Strat... ❤️

[@arlobrubaker]

The Hellecaster has no string trees. I wonder if the headstock is angled then?

[@krekcabnow2910]

I’d really love to see that jazz a caster on the show.

[@yaliguttman33]

You should check out the fender flame elite

[@peterdebad1]

Hella Yes! Thanks Trogly!!

[@randyheath8566]

Yes I would ROCK them all, but my favorite is The Last one or Fender Helecaster

[@fenderjag114]

I saw two of these (the Ray and Jorgenson, if memory serves) in a guitar shop in Orillia, Ontario, of all places in the late '90s. Despite lusting for them, I decided not to take the plunge. I still regret it.

[@sassycat]

The Jorgensen one, no doubt. You can twang and surf at the same time.

[@johnabbott138]

Hell yeah, I would rock all three! The Jorgenson is my favorite.

[@vmat1000]

Not normally a fan of blue guitars but liked Jerry's.

[@joedurham811]

Hey. I have a john jorganson hellecaster hand signed by john himself. What do these things sell for

[@kitoyobeni1]

I almost bought one of the John Jorgenson Hellecasters back when these were out, still kicking myself. Maybe one day....

[@stephencarlson7297]

Hey! You should do a rock or not on the new Fender GoT strat, tele, and jaguar. I want to you hear what your opinions are \m/

[@Trog]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/nWWafYaebqyopc0

[@zbillster]

Here's the British electric guitar documentary (with Jerry Donahue, Andy Summers, Steve Howe, Seymour Duncan and others) that I mentioned in a previous post. It starts out kinda corny but gets better as it goes. kzbin.info/www/bejne/iHzbqpyYg7Snd9U

[@tomfoolery2082]

Those guys did put out some great pickin . Iv got jerry donahue sig pick ups in my asat . And yes i would .

[@TheOldgeezah]

I'm surprised that your hadn't heard of these guys. They all have long, highly regarded careers. Check out John J's accoustic Reinhardt work

[@triledink]

thats one glittery boy.

[@chemmii]

That's not real gold leaf...gold only comes in 3 3/8"x 3 3/8" this is imitation leaf most likely German or Italian composition metal leaf!!! From a life long guilder who Knows leaf backwards and forwards!!

[@chemmii]

The 5 1/2 x5 1/2" size of the imitatation leaf is a dead giveaway...

[@hkguitar1984]

@@chemmii Thanks. One of the very cool parts about the internet, every once in a while a knowledgeable person chimes in and is kind enough to share accurate information. I would have never known about the size of the leaf and the quality. Good information to know, again, thank you.

[@HellDivine]

I have the blue one, it’s a great guitar!

[@prc7232]

G&L make those strange models now

[@HollowRick]

G&L Always made them models it was leos design known as the comanche

[@juanlicastillo5365]

Yesterday I was talking with my teacher about music and guitars, he have a collection of guitars and he showed me that he have those three guitars 😂

[@jimmyjimmy951]

Rock the neat colour of the blue Strat. The others are a bit wacky so not rockin them.. 👍

[@thecatwrangler9448]

Who doesn’t like a pearloid pick guard..? Obviously it’s not mother of pearl but it’s still dope looking, and is that really that expensive for 25+ year old signature one off models?

[@BennieTarrMusic]

Jorgensen played with Elton in the 90's.

[@hubbsllc]

OK, that last one, though. That's the one I'd want to try.

[@soulagent79]

The Jorgenson Hellecaster with the split pickups looks like a G&L Comanche ripoff. One of the last Leo Fender designs.

[@hkguitar1984]

Not sure how Fender could "ripoff" the G&L split single coils, those split single-coil pickups were used on the Fender XII back in 1965. More accurate would be Les just improved a previous design for the Comanche. I can't seem to find any information on the HELLECASTER's split pickups, as far as a modern Stratocaster style guitar the Comanche with those Z-Coils and unique tone controls is a fantastic guitar, much better than most any of the MIJ Fender instruments. Trogly should review a G&L guitar, maybe toss Heritage guitar into the mix too! This is an interesting statement I'm about to make, but truth be told EVERY American G&L or Heritage guitar I've ever played made me want to own it.

[@zbillster]

So I first heard of Jerry Donahue from this British guitar documentary I recorded on VHS off cable TV back in the late 1980s. I think I saw the Hellecasters play live at a Dallas Guitar Show back int he day. Here's the Donahue clip from that documentary. I'll see if I can dig up the whole thing ... kzbin.info/www/bejne/jKTMo3mnat9ofrc