Electric Ladyland

"a Ghostbuilder is someone who builds a guitar for a celebrity, but does
not put his name on the headstock."

Elan III model, made in Japan 1991, 22 frets, flamed maple top on a mahogany body with mahogany set neck, ebony fretboard with MOP triangular-type inlays, one volume, one tone, DiMarzio pickups in a H/S/H configuration, 5-way switch, amber finish on maple top, cherry finished on back, Floyd Rose Pro double-locking trem, gold hardware, hard shell case included. Basically, it's a very nice PRS Custom 22 copy.

"Heartfield guitars and basses. Not just a name. But a whole new experience."

Welcome to the wonderful world of Heartfield guitars and basses. If you're here, you're probably in the same boat I was in a few months back. Does this sound familiar...

I have this great guitar but no one seems to know a thing about it. I have searched the web and have come up empty handed! There has to be some information out there somewhere!!!

Well, there wasn't very much information out there anywhere...until now. I have done the dirty work for you. I have nickled and dimed my way on up to a dollar...I have hounded the guys at Fender (who have been great...thanks Mr. Jack Schwarz and SunnBoy)...I have hounded anyone that I could find that has ever mentioned Heartfield on their web page...I have hounded anyone I could find that had a Heartfield listed for sale, and I have accumulated that information here...just for you! My objective with this page is to provide you with as much information as I have about the Heartfield Series of guitars and basses manufactured by Fender. Here you'll find technical specifications, links to parts, copies of ads, photos, reviews, sound bites, contact information, etc.

Many people believe that the induction of the Heartfield Series was Fender's answer to Ibanez during the '80s-'90s metal craze. While this may be true to some extent, I don't believe this to be entirly the case. The Talon Series was obviously put into production to compete with the Ibanez line. As a matter of fact, they were identicle to the Ibanez and they were even made at the same factory in Japan, all of the Heartfield series was.

The Talon's were by far Heartfield's most widely marketed guitar and it is obvious that this particular series were put into production and mass marketed to compete with Ibanez. If you look at the specifications of the other series Heartfield produced, I'm sure you'll agree that an Ibanez/Heartfield rivalry was not Fender's sole intention. The EX Series and the Elan Series were no doubt directly competiting with Fender's cashcow, the Stratocaster, PRS, and Gibson's Les Paul. These two series consisted of very beautiful and well crafted instruments. The EX Series had a very interesting pickup configuration that I have yet to see repeated still today. The Elan Series is kind of a cross between a Strat and a Paul Reed Smith. The RR Series was a little lower scale, but nice guitars in their own respect. The RR-8 and RR-9 have some very innovative active electronic features and provide a wide variety of sound options for a single pickup guitar. Overall the RR series remind me of the Les Paul Jr., but with a Fender feel in the neck. It's hard to explain with words, but if you've played one you would know what I mean.

I don't personally know very much about the Basses in the series. From what I have seen in photos and read in articles, they are very attractive instruments. I have heard that they play awesomely and they certainly look as if they do. You can find the bass specs and Fender's sales pitch by following these links. Sorry but I haven't included the Heartfield basses in the photo gallery yet. The reason is lack of photos! That's a hint to all you Heartfield bassists out there. Please send me your bass photos. You know you have them so please share with the rest of the world.