Tanglewood Blackbird Series

The Tanglewood Blackbird series

Tanglewood Blackbird is a value range with a wide choice of body shapes. If you are looking for a Tanglewood Blackbird guitar, this page lists all 8 models, priced from £189 to £299. Every model shown here has a mahogany top, which gives a warm, even tone that suits strumming and gentle picking.

The models in the range

The entry point is the TWBBO Acoustic Guitar at £189, an orchestra shape without electronics. Add a pickup and you get the TWBBOE at £229. At the same price there are two other bodies: the TWBBSDE in a slope shoulder dreadnought shape and the TWBBSFCE in Super Folk.

Two models stand out from the rest. The TWBBSFCE12 is a 12-string Super Folk with the shimmering, chiming sound that only a 12-string gives. The TWBBAB is an electro-acoustic bass in a jumbo body. Both cost £299.

Which Blackbird is right for you

• Orchestra: a comfortable, balanced body for fingerstyle and light strumming.
• Slope shoulder dreadnought: a bigger, rounder voice for rhythm playing.
• Super Folk: a cutaway shape that is easy to play higher up the neck.
• 12-string or bass: for fuller chords or for a bass player who wants an acoustic option.

Blackbird and Blackbird TB

The range is closely related to the Blackbird TB series, which adds travel, dreadnought and super jumbo shapes at similar prices. If you want to spend less, the Crossroads series starts at £129. For more on the shapes, see our 12-string acoustic guitars and acoustic bass guitars.

Getting set up

Most buyers add a few extras with their guitar. A gig bag keeps it safe on the move, and a spare set of strings is always handy. The electro-acoustic models have a pickup, so a guitar cable and an acoustic guitar amplifier are all you need to play out. A tuner or capo is a sensible small purchase for a 12-string, because it needs careful tuning. Browse our guitar accessories to find everything in one place.

If you are unsure which body to pick, think about how you will play. Sitting at home with a songbook, the orchestra or Super Folk will feel most natural. For strumming along with a singer, the slope shoulder dreadnought gives a rounder, louder voice. Because the three electro-acoustic six-string models share one price, you can choose on shape alone.

All Blackbird guitars come with free UK delivery.