Tanglewood NS1EG Northstar Double Cutaway Electric Guitar, Metallic Emerald Green

Three single coils in Metallic Emerald Green

The Tanglewood NS1EG is a green electric guitar with a double cutaway body and three ceramic single coil pickups. The finish is Metallic Emerald Green, and the price is £139. It is part of the Northstar series.

Colour and finish

Emerald green with a metallic sparkle is a strong choice if you want your guitar to be noticed. It sits well against the maple neck with its Roseacer stripe. The laurel fingerboard adds a darker tone to the neck.

Three pickups, many sounds

Three single coils give you more choice than a two pickup guitar. You can switch between neck, middle and bridge positions to find a sound that fits the song. Cleans are bright and shimmering, and with some gain the guitar turns gritty and lively.

Build and feel

The body is poplar with a double cutaway shape. Both cutaways make the top of the neck easier to reach. Chrome die cast machine heads sit on the headstock.

• Poplar double cutaway body
• Three ceramic single coil pickups
• Laurel fingerboard
• Maple neck with Roseacer stripe

How it compares

The NS1MC is built the same way, with a rosewood fingerboard and a Morello Cherry finish. If you want the heavier sound of humbuckers, look at the NS1CFHH. The NS1EG is the one for green lovers who like bright, clear single coil tone.

It is a solid first electric guitar for the price and a fun extra for more experienced players. Delivery in the UK is free.

Making use of the middle pickup

The middle position is often the secret weapon on a three pickup guitar. It gives a slightly hollow, glassy sound that sits between neck and bridge. Try it for chiming chords and clean arpeggios, then switch to the bridge when you need a part to cut through a band.