Tanglewood NSP1CB Northstar Pro Double Cutaway Blue Electric Guitar

Cadillac Blue looks with three pickups to play with

Metallic Cadillac Blue sets the Tanglewood NSP1CB apart from the usual black and sunburst. This Northstar Pro guitar has two cutaways and three pickups, so it suits players who want a bold blue electric guitar that can cover rock, blues and pop.

Body, neck and finish

The body is poplar, a light wood that gives a balanced, clear voice. It wears a Metallic Cadillac Blue gloss that catches the light on stage and looks just as good on a stand at home. The double cutaway shape lets your fretting hand reach the top frets without a struggle.

The neck is torrefied maple with a Roseacer stripe running down the back. Torrefied wood is heat treated for stability, so it should stay steady as the seasons change. The fingerboard is also torrefied maple, which gives a quick, smooth surface for fast runs and chord changes.

Pickups and sound

Next to the bridge sits a ceramic humbucker, while the middle and neck spots each hold a single coil. The humbucker gives thick, punchy rhythm and lead tones. The single coils bring a clean, snappy sound that suits funk, blues and brighter pop playing. Flicking between them gives you plenty of range from one guitar.

• Double cutaway body for easy access to the top frets
• Three pickups: one bridge humbucker, two single coils
• Chrome die cast machine heads for steady tuning
• Torrefied maple neck and fingerboard

Who it suits

If you are stepping up from a first guitar, or you want a second electric with a different look, the NSP1CB makes sense at £199. It offers a lot of tonal choice for the money and a finish that stands out in a row of black and sunburst guitars.

Compare it with the NSP2BK if you prefer a single cutaway shape and a simpler two pickup layout, or the NSP3GT if you want the warmer, grittier sound of P90 pickups.