from the playability of the TW15; it simply
reminds you that this guitar was made in a
factory, instead of on a workbench.
After playing a few bars on this guitar, you’ll
immediately notice its abundance of midrange. It’s what a good acoustic should be
– bright and poppy, and powerful enough
to cut through any mix. The 25 3/4” scale
gives the guitar even more snap. Lay into
it and you’ll discover some solid low-end
that pleasantly fattens out the sound. To
get the fullest spectrum of sound from this
guitar you need to be a little heavy with
it, but that’s exactly what the TW15 wants
– it’s made for group sing-alongs in front
of a campfire, not delicate atmospherics. It
can be a bit brash at times, but like a good
friend, you learn to love it. And while the
guitar isn’t as sonically complex as other
high-end acoustics – there’s an indefinable
shimmer missing from the spectrum – those
are unfair comparisons to make. The TW15
certainly sets the tonal bar for its price point,
and would definitely make our short-list for
affordable, functional acoustics.
The B-Band A5T pickup system is mounted
at the top bout, and while not as discreet
as some of the other integrated systems
we’ve seen, provides great bang for the
buck. There are lots of tone shaping options
here, including 4-band EQ, notch filter and
frequency controls, a phase button and a
full-range chromatic tuner. The system makes
use of electret condenser film instead of a
piezo pickup, and provides a natural, woody
sound that compliments the guitar nicely. It
gets the job done without too much effort,
but if you find yourself wishing for more
warmth you can always check out an outboard pre.
What’s perhaps most exciting about this guitar is how easy it is to play. The deep neck
gives you something to hold on to while you
strum, and the action is well done – 3/32”
at the low E and 5/64” at the high E. That
makes everything easier to execute, and
in turn lets you concentrate on the music
instead.
The Final Mojo
If you’re looking for an affordable acoustic,
without sacrificing tone, Tanglewood Guitar
Company UK should definitely be on your
list of companies to take a look at. With
solid wood construction and some nicely
done appointments, the TW15 is the perfect
guitar for making music. And isn’t that what
it’s all about?
PRODUCT REVIEW
Buy If...
you’re looking for a summer workhorse that can follow you everywhere
Skip If...
you need a little more complexity
from your mate.
Rating...
3. 5
Tanglewood Guitar Company UK
MSRP $1299
tanglewoodguitars.com
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