Solid Body Electric Guitars

Solid body electric guitar choices from Tanglewood

A solid body electric guitar has no hollow chambers, so the sound comes from the pickups and the wood rather than from a resonating box. That makes it tight, clear and easy to control at volume. We stock 41 Tanglewood models here, from £139 up to £299, so there is a sensible starting point at every budget.

The three Northstar ranges

Most of this page is made up of three related ranges. Tanglewood Northstar is the entry point. Models such as the NS1BK and NS1EG are double cutaway at £139, while the NS2CB is a single cutaway at the same price. Step up to the NS3CB at £249 for a more developed single cutaway.

Tanglewood Northstar Pro adds more variety. You will find double cutaways like the NSP1CB at £199, an offset in the NSP4CB at £229, and arched top double cutaways such as the NSP3BL at £299. The NSP5BKG is a semi acoustic design, and the NS54 has an electric folk style body.

Tanglewood Northstar Littlestar is the compact option, with the NL1BK double cutaway at £139 and the NL6JP offset at £199.

How to choose

• Body shape: double cutaways give easy access to the top frets, single cutaways have a classic look, and offsets sit comfortably when you play seated.
• Budget: £139 buys a complete, playable guitar. Around £199 widens the choice of shapes and finishes, and £249 to £299 gets you the arched top and semi acoustic designs.
• Finish: colours vary from plain black to burst and metallic looks, so check each model page for the exact colour.

Which range suits which player

Northstar suits beginners who want a straightforward guitar with a classic outline. Northstar Pro suits players who want more choice of shape, from offsets to arched tops, without leaving the £199 to £299 bracket. Littlestar is the one to look at if you prefer a compact feel. Each range keeps the same simple approach, so you can focus on playing rather than fiddling with settings.

If you are buying your first electric, a £139 model is plenty to learn on. Remember you will also need an amplifier and a lead, so see our guitar cables and guitar accessories for the extras.

Looking for something with a hollow body or an acoustic voice? Browse the wider range of electric guitars or the semi acoustic and archtop guitars. Every order ships with free UK delivery.